Google is discontinuing its Chromecast product line and has introduced a new, premium offering: Google TV Streamer for $99. The move is a surprise considering Chromecast’s popularity. But it’s also unexpected because, by shifting to high-end TV streamers, Google is validating Apple’s long-held strategy with the Apple TV 4K.
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Apple’s ecosystem is famously fairly locked down, but things have improved a lot over the past few years. With the upcoming release of iOS 16, Apple appears to be working towards better support for Chromecast and other casting standards in apps.
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Amazon is reportedly interested in building a live TV service of sorts as analyst Dan Rayburn at StreamingMediaBlog reports the company has approached NBCUniversal and CBS to gauge an interest in providing content (via Bloomberg).
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I’m an Apple guy. I have enough Apple hardware around my house to serve as a mini-museum and I use Apple’s software and services every single day. But when Google makes something interesting like Chromecast Audio, I can’t help but want to try out the new toy.
Sold for just $35 (Google Store, Best Buy), Chromecast Audio lets you stream audio over the Internet from services like Spotify and NPR to old speakers. This varies from Apple’s AirPlay in that audio streams directly to the Chromecast Audio rather than from device to device, using your iPhone or iPad only as the remote. In practice, Chromecast Audio is most similar to Sonos, but with Google’s accessory selling at a much lower, irresistible price as it relies on your existing speakers rather than all-in-one units.
So what exactly is Chromecast Audio and what can it do for iPhone owners? Read on for details…
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During the announcement of Google’s Chromecast Audio yesterday, the company made sure to mention that music subscription leader Spotify will soon be one of the many music streaming services supported by the platform. With many Apple Music subscriptions renewing (or not renewing) and Google unveiling a $35 dongle that retrofits our existing home speakers with Wi-Fi, some are rightfully wondering: What about Apple Music?
According to statements from one Googler (via TrustedReviews), Google has no bar on any platform joining in on supporting Chromecast, and the Mountain View company has already directly asked Apple to play along…
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Google is hosting its big fall event today with the company officially taking the wraps off a new lineup of Nexus smartphones from various manufacturing partners, its new second-gen Chromecast that we revealed previously, a revamped Google Photos experience, and much, much more.
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According to internal Google documents that 9to5Google has obtained, huge updates to the Chromecast platform — in almost every respect — are just around the corner. The long-rumored 2nd generation Chromecast hardware is set to debut at Google’s event later this month with several brand new features, including “Chromecast Audio,” Spotify support (finally!), a brand new Chromecast companion app, and more. Here’s a roundup of everything we’ve learned so far…
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HBO Now debuted earlier this year exclusively on Apple TV, iPhone and iPad, but lately it has been making its way to competing platforms. Android handsets and tablets as well as some of Amazon’s Fire-branded devices got HBO Now access a few weeks ago, but now the service is coming to Chromecast via an update to the HBO Now app.
The latest version of HBO Now for iOS was released today, numbered 1.2, and features more than just Chromecast support. You’ll find that you can also now receive push notifications — assumably for new episodes of your favorite shows and the like — as well as the usual bug fixes and performance improvements.
Here’s the full change log:
What’s New in Version 1.2.0
• Push Notifications
• Chromecast Support
• Performance Improvements
You can grab HBO Now on the App Store for free, and an HBO Now subscription is going to run you $14.99 per month after a 30-day free trial.
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Hulu is out today with a neat update to its iPhone app that puts a remote for controlling playback and more right on your Apple Watch. Like most Apple Watch apps, the Hulu remote app is limited in what it can do on its own, but it becomes a handy utility once you start video playback on Hulu from your iPhone.
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The companion app to Google’s $35 Chromecast dongle received an update today with a handful of improvements and changes. Bumping the app to version 1.11.4116, the update brings several interface tweaks. First off, the devices view of the app has been redesigned with a card-like interface. The devices screen also now lists what backdrop is currently being displayed along with casting status.
The popular VLC media player will be upgraded to version 3.0 soon, introducing a whole host of features to the software, including support for Google’s Chromecast streaming device. The change was mentioned in a VLC change log on the VideoLan website.
VLC for iOS was recently re-added to the App Store after being pulled several times for licensing issues and other problems.
Chromecast support in VLC will allow users to stream their stored media to their TVs from supported devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Android devices and computers running Windows are also expected to get the upgrade.
VideoLan, the development company behind VLC, hasn’t announced the availability date for version 3.0 yet. You can grab the current version of the iOS app from the iTunes App Store.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k_NLVrbxss]
The AllCast media streaming app–which allows photos, music and video to be beamed from a mobile device to an Apple TV, Roku, Xbox, FireTV and a range of smart TVs–has now made it to iOS, following the release of the Android app last month (shown in the above video). It’s compatible with the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and is optimized for iPhone 5 and up.
The app works in a very similar way to the Chromecast stick–or, as the developer puts it, “no setup necessary, it just works like magic” …
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q0yZomXuSw
Google today announced Google Cast for audio, which the company says takes advantage of Chromecast tech to send audio to third-party hardware like speakers, A/V receivers, and sound bars. The feature will allow users to tap a “cast” button from within music and radio apps on Android, iOS and the web to stream audio to Google Cast enabled speakers.
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AirParrot, the app that lets you send your desktop display to an Apple TV-connected TV, is today releasing version 2 with Chromecast support and number of other new features. Sure, you can mirror your Mac’s display to an Apple TV using Apple’s built-in AirPlay feature, but AirParrot provides features beyond what Apple offers and also support for screen mirroring from Chromebooks and Windows. Today’s release makes it the first to enable full screen mirroring support to Chromecast with audio support and more.
Netflix updated its iPhone and iPad app to version 7.0 today adding optimization for the larger displays on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus introduced in September. The updated version of Netflix shows more content like titles and genres as well as previews of movies and TV shows when browsing for something to watch. In addition to optimizing the Netflix app for iPhone 6 users, Netflix says the new version of its app will now offer video playback in 1080p, full HD, for users with the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus.
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Google today updated the Chromecast app for iPhone and iPad users adding a feature announced earlier this year at Google I/O called Backdrop. When the Chromecast HDMI streaming stick isn’t playing content like Netflix or Pandora Radio through your TV, it already displays the current time and featured photos as a screen saver, but now Chromecast users can display additional content like weather conditions and news headlines on Chromecast-connected TVs. Chromecast also now supports using your own photos from Google+ albums as the backdrop.
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Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.
Today’s can’t miss deals:
Last Call updates:
Logitech Ultimate Ears 500vm Noise Isolating Headset w/ Mic & Controls $14 shipped (Reg. $30+)
iPad cases:
Sharp AQUOS 39-inch 1080p LED HDTV $250 shipped (orig. $420)
Google Chromecast streaming media player refurb: $15 shipped AC (Reg. $35)
Roundup: the best ultra tough Lightning cables for your new iPhone 6/6 Plus
Dragon Dictate for Mac 4 (digital download) $100 (Reg. $200)
Small States: The jamstik wireless MIDI guitar controller for iPad, iPhone and Mac, $560 worth of giveaways
Other new deals:
More deals still alive:
More iPhone 6/6 Plus deals, accessories, and trade offers:
New products/ongoing promos:
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Today’s can’t miss deals:
Last Call Updates:
Apple iPad w/ Retina display 128GB AT&T LTE $499 shipped (orig. $929), more
Couldn’t score a 128GB iPhone 6 or 6 Plus? Add storage to any iPhone with a wireless drive
Google Chromecast media player (refurb) $25 or two (new) for $50 (orig. $35 each)
Small States: The jamstik wireless MIDI guitar controller for iPad, iPhone and Mac, $560 worth of giveaways
If your school/Alma Mater supports Office 365, get free Microsoft Office 365 with a school/alumni .edu email http://t.co/ekSRL2PRA7
— 9to5Toys (@9to5toys) September 22, 2014
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Google just updated its Google Search app for iOS and in the process renamed it to simply “Google”, which seems to make a bit more sense considering the app integrates Google Now features and much beyond just search. Also in today’s update: new features for Chromecast and additional Google Now cards.
For Chromecast users, the app now allows users to ask “What’s on Chromecast?” and jump right into the Chromecast app to begin casting content to a TV. The update also includes new Google Now cards that Google says offer “personalized TV recommendations and traffic information.”
Version 4.2.0 of the Google app is available on the App Store now.
What’s New in Version 4.2.0
This update includes new Google Now cards for personalized TV recommendations and traffic information. Chromecast users can now ask Google “what’s on Chromecast?” to open the Chromecast app and start casting. We’ve also made improvements to speed up your browsing experience.
Sign in to the Google app and enable Now cards to take full advantage of these new features.
Disney’s popular apps iOS apps including WATCH Disney Channel, WATCH Disney Junior, and WATCH Disney X D have all been updated today with support for AirPlay and Chromecast streaming.
That means that owners of an Apple TV or Google’s Chromecast can now send content from the iPhone and iPad apps to an Apple TV or Chromecast-connected TV. Apple TV already has dedicated Disney channels offering most if not all of content available through the apps, but AirPlay streaming offers another way to get content to the big screen if you prefer browsing from a mobile device.
The updated WATCH Disney Channel, WATCH Disney Junior, and WATCH Disney X D apps are available now on the App Store.
What’s New in Version 4.0.2
AirPlay streaming now available via Apple TV
Casting now available via Google Chromecast
Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.
Today’s can’t miss deals:
Last Call updates:
TP-LINK 300Mbps Universal Wi-Fi range extender $20 shipped (orig. $35)
Two Google Chromecasts for $55 shipped ($15 savings)
Mophie Juice Pack Helium 1500mAh iPhone 5/5s battery case $45 shipped (Reg. $80)
$100 Staples gift card for $85: save 15% on electronics, office supplies, more
iPhone 6 deals:
Small States: Myro:Air wants you to have your high quality audio and AirPlay too, giveaway worth $599
Other new deals:
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Home/fashion/magazines/games/media:
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Today’s can’t miss deals:
Apple deals:
Solid-State Drives:
One year magazine subs w/ digital access from $5: Wired, GQ, ESPN, Macworld, more
RAVPower Element 10400mAh external power bank: $25 shipped (Reg. $36)
Media players:
Award-winning MacLovin’ Bundle $40 for djay, Boom, Cinemagraph Pro, Keyboard Maestro, NetSpot Pro, much more
Today’s the last day to save on 20 popular ‘Amazing Productivity Apps’ for iOS http://t.co/dtPHM5RdLt pic.twitter.com/FeWoMsRFjn
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Other new deals:
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Receive 30% off 3 books purchased at Amazon. Enter "BUY3GET30" at checkout (up to $10 total savings) http://t.co/YzD35mV23B
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New products/ongoing promos:
Google/Microsoft/misc tech:
Be sure to follow 9to5Toys to keep up with the best gear and deals on the web: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.
Today’s can’t miss deals:
Last Call updates:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9Z3C81KlHE?rel=0]
Amazon Gold Box: up to 60% off iPad/Mac/PC accessories from Twelve South, Kensington, Logitech, more
Displays:
Media players:
Award-winning MacLovin’ Bundle $40 for djay, Boom, Cinemagraph Pro, Keyboard Maestro, NetSpot Pro, much more
Blu-ray Steelbooks up to 45% off, Neighbors/Knocked Up iTunes movie bundle $20, MP3 albums $2, more
Apple deals:
Other new deals:
More tech deals still alive:
Logitech Ultrathin Protective Keyboard Folio Case for iPad Air refurb Black: $20 shipped http://t.co/qXjLwuO2f8 pic.twitter.com/OgByejeQoc
— 9to5Toys (@9to5toys) August 13, 2014
Home/fashion/magazines:
Receive 30% off 3 books purchased at Amazon. Enter "BUY3GET30" at checkout (up to $10 total savings) http://t.co/YzD35mV23B
— 9to5Toys (@9to5toys) August 9, 2014
New products/ongoing promos:
Google/Microsoft/misc tech:
