Official Google app lets Chromecast owners set up streaming device from iPhone, iPad
Google on Tuesday released the official Chromecast application for iOS, giving iPhone and iPad users the ability to set up the HDTV dongle from their mobile device.
The Chromecast app is a free download available on the iOS App Store. With it, users can set up Chromecast to work with their Wi-Fi network, and manage settings with the device, such as device name or Wi-Fi password.
Google's app can also be used to identify and set up multiple Chromecast devices. The $35 accessory was launched in July as a competitor to the Apple TV in the home theater streaming market.
The official Chromecast app is a 6.2-megabyte download compatible with iPhone 3GS or later and all iPad models. It requires iOS 5.1 or later.
The Chromecast hardware allows users to stream content from their mobile device to their TV, much like Apple's AirPlay Mirroring available with Apple TV. Official Google apps such as YouTube for iOS already include Chromecast support.
The Chromecast app is a free download available on the iOS App Store. With it, users can set up Chromecast to work with their Wi-Fi network, and manage settings with the device, such as device name or Wi-Fi password.
Google's app can also be used to identify and set up multiple Chromecast devices. The $35 accessory was launched in July as a competitor to the Apple TV in the home theater streaming market.
The official Chromecast app is a 6.2-megabyte download compatible with iPhone 3GS or later and all iPad models. It requires iOS 5.1 or later.
The Chromecast hardware allows users to stream content from their mobile device to their TV, much like Apple's AirPlay Mirroring available with Apple TV. Official Google apps such as YouTube for iOS already include Chromecast support.
Comments
A smaretphone/tablet is used to initialize the media request, but then communicates directly with the media provider rather than steaming from the owner's device. Besides offering a stutter-free hi-def media play it leads to another big plus: Your smartphone or tablet is freed up for other tasks. I've yet to see any difference between watching Netflix with a Chromecast or watching Showtime on FiOS.
Those folks reporting stutters and lags with Netflix or YouTube were probably not using the Chromecast-specific apps and trying to steam from their smartphone instead.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gatorguy
I've yet to see any difference between watching Netflix with a Chromecast or watching Showtime on FiOS.
You mean except that there is nothing worth watching on Netflix.
LOL. I read a article recently on how Netflix movie selection works and what goes into user suggestions. If accurate it's fairly revealing and explains a lot.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/07/netflix-movie-suggestions_n_3720218.html
You mean except that there is nothing worth watching on Netflix.
Well, BBC's Sherlock is on Netflix and a few odd Marvel movies, but it seems more and more its filled with B movies that were direct to video. I used to love my netflix account, but more and more I just watch stuff on Amazon prime or Hulu.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gatorguy
A smaretphone/tablet is used to initialize the media request, but then communicates directly with the media provider rather than steaming from the owner's device. Besides offering a stutter-free hi-def media play it leads to another big plus: Your smartphone or tablet is freed up for other tasks. I've yet to see any difference between watching Netflix with a Chromecast or watching Showtime on FiOS.
Those folks reporting stutters and lags with Netflix or YouTube were probably not using the Chromecast-specific apps and trying to steam from their smartphone instead.
I am sure Google will enjoy learning about all the fun things you stream.
Maybe you could rent it out to people so that more people get a chance to see what it is like before wasting $35.
You might make your money back in the long term ;-)
Quote:
Originally Posted by mstone
You mean except that there is nothing worth watching on Netflix.
Speak for yourself. Netflix has a good TV show collection. It has good foreign films. It has plenty of Disney content, which will improve further when Disney's deal with Starz expires. It also has good original content. Where it is weakest is with new movies.
Netflix logs your viewership. So does iTunes. Is there an inherent danger in that?
It's not designed for that nor do I have more than one single movie stored on my tablet. Now if you want to send a movie to the Chromecast from the movies you've purchased in your Google Play library it will do just fine. If you were expecting a Google version of Apple TV streaming content you downloaded to your smartphone/tablet from wherever you'll be disappointed.
If you're talking about a Chromecast-specific app the media quality is as good as typical "HD cable", assuming of course the original is "HD". Streaming from an app running on your tablet/smartphone to the Chromecast is not nearly as clean and stutter-free, tho it can be done.
The Matrix (Google) is everywhere. It is all around us. Even now, in this very room. You can see it when you look out your window or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work… when you go to church… when you pay your taxes. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.
Neo: What truth?
Morpheus: [leans in closer to Neo] That you are a slave, Neo. Like everyone else you were born into bondage. Born into a prison that you cannot smell or taste or touch. A prison for your mind.
[pause]
Quote:
Originally Posted by daveinpublic
I've heard reports that it's not stutter free. But I can tell you firsthand that my iPhone to apple tv has been stutter free and HD thus far.
It's completely stutter free for me. But I'm casting to Google TV not to Chromecast.