Just a few weeks ago, Pandora became the latest app to receive support for streaming via the Chromecast, as did Hulu Plus just before that. This left a couple of key holdouts, one of which being HBO Go. HBO Go has been rumored as coming to the Chromecast since the device’s launch, with HBO confirming earlier this summer that it was in talks to support the Chromecast in the “future.” It now looks as if the launch is not very far off.
As first noted by Droid Life, Google’s “Now Casting” support page has been updated to include HBO Go. It’s touted as a “new” app, along with Pandora and Hulu Plus. Oddly, however, there is no HBO icon and the description simply reads “none.” This makes it seem like Google’s support page was updated a bit prematurely, although it does signal that a launch is imminent and that the two are still in talks to work together. We wouldn’t be surprised to hear an official announcement from Google and HBO relatively soon.
In order to support casting content to Google’s Chromecast, the HBO Go iOS app will have to receive an update as well. So we’ll be on the look out for that, too.
At $35, the Chromecast is becoming even more enticing of an offer as Google continues to beef up the streaming selection to compete with the Apple TV and Roku. The casting feature is nearly identical to Apple’s AirPlay, so as more content is supported, it’s becoming harder and harder to justify the price difference between the two.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Who cares about Chromecast? Really all Apple TV needs to get thousands to drop cable and satellite is a selection of streamed versions of the 24-hour news channels. To get hundreds of thousands, a dedicated NFL channel. Millions, Apple needs to cut deals with content creators directly, superseding cable and satellite companies and contracting with individual channels for shows.
Lot’s of people. I like Apple TV, nearly everyone in my family has one. But at Apple TV is 2.85x the price of the Chromecast, which makes it an tougher sell. It also has a far superior remote control (iPad, iPhone) and is easier for companies to implement.
>But at Apple TV is 2.85x the price of the Chromecast, which makes it an tougher sell.
It does 40.85x the number of things that Chromecast does, and doesn’t have a horrible ecosystem to boot.
Until those said cable companies start throttling bandwidth…
And get sued by the government and broken apart, sure.
Well they better hurry up, Apple TV’s been around for years and now the competitions at their doorstep!
Much to my chagrin though, Apple TV is still the decisive winner for now. When my friends can airplay movies directly from the Google Drive folder I share with them I have to go hook up a computer to the TV to watch because my own Google device can’t play my own Google content, that’s a bit demoralizing…
A proofreading wouldn’t have hurt :P
I have been able to run content from any folder on my chromecast since August. I have very fast 3rd gen i7 cpu and can cast not only all my local content but anything I can find on the web from my chrome browser.
It is no where near as userfriendly as apple’s airplay, but is capable of much more through chrome browser.
My slower computers are not able to cast hd video content, another downside.
Apple TV is 2.85x price only if you already own apple products which are also way more expensive. Chromecast can be used on any computer, android AND apple device. Comparing Apples to oranges. Chromecast is far, far behind with the apps…. They said that about Androids when they came out. Now Androids apps far outnumber Apples. Chromecast will catch up and probably pass Apple TV. Might take a year, but it will most likely happen especially when they release the final sdk and anyone will be able to make an app for it..
I have had an Apple TV for 9 months, but bought a chromecast recently just to see if it was value for money (35 usd)! I have to say I am extremely disappointed with chromecast, and will choose Apple TV 7 days a week! Why? The reason is that I already pay for tv ie on demand but cannot stream to the tv with chromecast! Google really loose towards apple! And I am owner of nexus 7 and acer chromebook since before! Open up for local mirroring!