Google has debuted a $35 device dubbed “Chromecast.” Chromecast plugs into HD TV’s, “casting” online content from phones, tablets and laptops on to HD TVs.
As expected, Chromecast works with Netflix, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV and Google Play Music, with more apps like Pandora coming soon.
“With Chromecast, we wanted to create an easy solution that works for everyone, for every TV in the house. [So] once your Chromecast is set up, you can use your phone, tablet or laptop to browse and cast content to your TV, play and pause, control the volume, and more,” Google exec Sundar Pichai explained in a Google blog post.
“But unlike other streaming solutions, you can still multitask—send emails or surf the web—while enjoying what’s on the TV screen. It works across platforms—Android tablets and smartphones, iPhones, iPads, Chrome for Mac and Windows (more to come), so your personal device is also now your remote control.”
Pichai also announced the roll-out of Google Cast, a technology that enables developers to build consistent, intuitive multi-screen experiences across mobile devices and TVs.
“We’re launching a preview version of Google Cast with more information for developers on our Google Developers blog. A handful of early developers are already working on enabling Google Cast technology in their apps, so more supported apps are coming soon. And while the Chromecast device is the first instantiation of Google Cast, we expect the technology to be embedded in a range of hardware from our partners in the future,” he added.
The Chromecast device is currently available for $35 on Google Play, Amazon.com and BestBuy.com. It will be available in Best Buy stores across the U.S. starting July 28.
