it was really really confusing using MAPS the other day....

 

I don't mind the new maps



so, isn't there suppose to be some kind of Google announcement today?

 

Yep. Revealed the new Nexus 7 and Android 4.3.

4.3 is just a minor update, not really a big deal.

 

oh well...

 

Chromecast is pretty neat. At $35 you can't beat it really. Just ordered one for the living room. Already have a Boxee for the media room.

 

we already have the Apple TV thingy (well, it's my gf's)

 

I have some non-Smart TVs that can be brought into this decade with a couple of ChromeCasts.

At 35$, that's a steal. Honestly, I might sell my Apple TV to my brother-in-law who is more of an Apple person....

 

for the record, I'm NOT an Apple fan, my gf is... but she pays for it so

 

Are you actively trying to convert her? Because you should be.

 

We are in the same Apple boat. I've got a Apple TV, Ipad, and Iphone because my wife thinks they are easier to deal with (completely disagree).

I still find it funny when my iFriends (apple fanboys) start saying that Ipad/Iphone-to-Apple TV is the only way to stream stuff onto TV....then I started streaming YouTube from my old HTC Evo through the Apple TV.

 

So wait chromecast requires a connected device to use it right?

 

Looks like it.

So basically it's just hardware to push videos to.

Or compared to apple, an AirPlay only device.


Hmmmm I'll still buy one for $35

 

I just bought one!
You also get 3 months of netflix free with it.

Yupp you need to use hardware to push videos.

The cool thing is, on chrome you can stream a tab. So you can switch the tab on your computer and it the previous one stays on the tv

 

If I'm watching a movie or something long I'd rather have a dedicated device like roku/appletv/boxee/etc don't want to drain my battery or have to plug it in if I'm already low.

 

I hate people like this, just let people use what they want to use.

 

I'm not sure exactly how its working cause its not mirroring it. So it shouldnt be draining battery right? Its pulling the videos from the cloud.

As for laptops I'm not sure but you dont really need to worry about that.

I know for youtube you can put your phone to sleep and the playback will continue. Netflix, i'm not too sure.

 

Dang. I can't seem to add the chromecast to my basket...

 

It doesn't active stream from your device. If it works anything like my phone-to-Vizio TV, its more like a remote control. The active streaming occurs on the TV (and will occur at the ChromeCast). Hence, your Android phone/iDevice doesn't drain because its not active, and you can do other things on your device.

 

Main thing i'm worried about is chromecast reaching a good connection with my wifi... that may be a problem haha

 

she's not a "fangirl" or whatever you want to call it, she's just always bought Apple products. I don't need to try to convert her, she knows that my phone can do stuff that iPhones can't. She's even mentioned in the past when her contract is up, she might go Android.

That said, I think we'll always be a dual OS household because she's in the web dev field. Sometimes (at home), she'll have things on her mind that's work related and needs to test something out on an Android device, so she'll ask to use my phone or tablet. Likewise (needless to say), she'll test out the website she's working on with her iPhone.


+1

 

Hmm another thing to consider, I didn't read the fine print about needing to power the dongle with the supplied USB cable... I can't remember if my 60 incher has USB ports...

 

Yep, though I do like opening her eyes that brand/OS doesn't matter.

Still, her friends all have Apple. They are completely oblivious to the fanboy wars...

 

I just bought 3, but I had to refresh a couple of times to do so...

 

^ you're right, needed to refresh a few times. Just bought 1, and confirmed that I do have USB ports on tv, huzzah!

 

This for me too. Wifi in my room is spotty. Everything i have is hard wired.

But I get what you guys mean by no battery drain. But for me is rather have a dedicated device for some scenarios. Call me old fashioned

 

Even if it did, would it provide enough power to run it?

 

I'm not an android fanboy and not I'm advocating you go out and preach the word of android to the masses. My ex a few years back was pretty into apple and after seeing what my phone could do compared to hers, she switched over when her contract was up. People will use what they want to regardless.

 

Good point Miz.... dang it, I hope I won't have to run wires.

 

I'm sure if your tv has a usb it will support the power.

Yea miz our tv downstairs is hardwired too. It should get wifi there but the signal will be week, so that may cause stuttering in videos, which would suck.

But this is really for my parents since when i go back to school its styaing home. And my parents room they dont have a smart tv so they can use that there.

 

The Chromecast comes with a USB cable and a power adapter incase your TV does not have usb or support power over it. I got one for the same reason someone mentioned before. Make my non smart TV into a smart TV.

 

Here is a hands on with what you get.
http://www.androidcentral.com/hands-chromecast

Might go pickup one this Sunday at Best Buy since they are supposed to have them in the stores on the 28th.

 

I wonder if you can push a Chrome tab from your phone or tablet or only a computer web browser. I would hope all 3. However on the Chromecast site it shows Netflix, Google Play, and Youtube streaming from a Nexus 7 and chrome from a computer.

 

I hope the options do expand for what you can push. Google drive, photo galleries, etc.

For me, youtube and pandora will be perfect. I'll have it in my AV receiver, so it can take advantage of the better speakers.

 

Oh i'm sure it will expand. They released the SDK for devs to add it to their apps.

Chromecast is on sale for amazon now. Free shipping and it ships earlier lol. I cancelled my order from google play and went with amazon.

 

shit its already popping up in best buy stores too. Whatever I can wait a week

 

This may be a good thing for Slingbox

 

How so?

 

how so?

 

Slingplay for Ipad is sucking lately getting from Ipad to Apple TV. With this, open a tab on Chrome and mirror to this thing.

 

but i dunno if chrome on phone/tablet is compatible with this. I know computer for sure.