What is Chromecast?
Chromecast is a digital media player developed by Google. The device, a 2.83-inch (72 mm) HDMI dongle, plays audio/video content on a high-definition display by directly streaming it via Wi-Fi from the Internet or a local network. Users select the media to play using Chromecast-enabled mobile apps and Web apps, or through a beta feature called "tab casting" that can mirror most content from the Google Chrome web browser running on their personal computer. The device was announced on July 24, 2013, and made available for purchase on the same day in the United States for US$35, along with a limited-time promotion for three free months of Netflix. The Google Cast SDK was released on February 3, 2014, allowing third parties to modify their software to support Chromecast.
How is it fairing:
Is Google Chromecast usage really flattening out, as a recent Parks Associates study suggested? App developer Videostream doesn't agree, saying Chromecast owners are increasing the frequency and time spent using the device.
Videostream founder and co-creator Jason Moore told FierceOnlineVideo that almost half its Chromecast customers are accessing the streaming stick daily, and spending an hour or more using the device. "We've seen nothing but increases in Chromecast activity," he said.
The Videostream app is a Chrome extension that allows users to upload local files and view them on their TV set via the Chromecast device. Moore said that Videostream can monitor user sessions through the app, giving the company detailed data on user behavior. While the company can't release most of those results due to privacy concerns, he said that Videostream was able to collect data from a much larger sample base--250,000 subscribers, compared to Park's survey of 10,000 broadband households in the United States.
How does it stack up against the competition?
Amazon Fire TV | Chromecast | Roku | Apple TV | |
Price | $99 | $35 | $49 - $99 | $93 |
Form factor | Box | Stick | Stick or box | Box |
Video apps | Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Instant, Hulu Plus, Showtime Anytime, Crackle, Vimeo, more | Netflix, YouTube, HBO Go, Hulu Plus, Vudu, Crackle, more | Netflix, YouTube, HBO Go, Amazon Instant, Hulu Plus, Showtime Anytime, Vudu, Crackle, M-Go, Vimeo, PBS, PBS Kids, Disney Channel, Redbox Instant, Time Warner Cable, Slingplayer, more | Netflix, YouTube, HBO Go, Hulu Plus, Crackle, Vimeo, PBS, Disney Channel, more via AirPlay |
Audio apps | Pandora, Vevo, Qello, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, more | Pandora, Rdio, Vevo, Songza, more | Spotify, Pandora, Rdio, Mog, Amazon CloudPlayer, Vevo, Qello, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Slacker, more | Vevo, Qello, "radio" |
Major proprietary apps | None | Google Play Movies & TV, Google Play Music | None | iTunes Movies and TV shows, iTunes Music, iTunes Radio |
Sports apps | Watch ESPN, NBA League Pass, "many more" | None | Watch ESPN, MLB.TV, NBA League Pass, NHL Gamecenter, more | Watch ESPN, MLB.TV, NBA League Pass, NHL Gamecenter, more |
Games | Yes, playable via remote, tablet/phone, or optional controller ($40) | Yes, playable via tablet/phone | Yes, playable via remote | No |
Control | Voice search, physical remote, app | App only (no physical remote) | Physical remote, app | Physical remote, app |
Screen mirroring | via Kindle Fire HDX only | via Chrome browser | No | via AirPlay |
Photo, video and music files | via Plex, Amazon Cloud | via Plex, other apps | via Plex, other apps | via AirPlay, native Mac and iOS support, iCloud |
Cross-platform search | No | No | Yes | No |
Parental Controls | Free Time (app- and time-based restrictions + walled garden) | No | No | Basic per-app passcode restrictions |
Sources:
Wikipedia
FierceOnlineVideo
cnet
Compiled By:
Josh Martin
No comments:
Post a Comment