Along with a new Nexus tablet that could have Apple rethinking their iPad Mini strategy, Google has launched another product that steps onto Apple’s turf and says, “I dare you to come at me, bro.” The $35 Chromecast dongle plugs into any television’s HDMI port and streams content from your PC, smartphone, or tablet. And it’s platform agnostic.
If that sounds familiar, it’s because Chromecast accomplishes basically the same thing as Apple’s AirPlay — except for that part about being platform agnostic. Oh, and the cost of the device. Apple TV is a bit pricier than $35 (and Chromecast is even cheaper in the long run considering it comes with three free months of Netflix for new and existing subscribers).
At launch the device is rather limited in compatibility, but Google is making its SDK available for developers to bake into apps. Netflix is here now. Pandora support is right around the corner. It’s a simplified “internet TV” solution that anyone can afford and anyone can use.
In contrast, the latest reports suggest Apple TV is only about to get more expensive and more exclusive as Cupertino looks to ink deals with content providers and cable companies alike. Now we’re not saying Chromecast will ultimately win the next-gen television wars, but it’s a compelling example of how to make technology work for the user. Or it could just be the next Nexus Q.
At least iOS users will also be able to enjoy Chromecast as much as Android users, and it doesn’t sound like a bad device to keep in the arsenal. Especially for the price.
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TAGS: Google ChromeCast
