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Google Chromecast

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Enjoy Google knowing everything about what you watch. 😀
It's like having a Nielsen box, but without the cash.

That actually doesn't bother me really, but I don't like Chrome, or using an extension or separate program to stream (airplay through a tab, essentially) when I could stream or use local storage with an Android stick or Raspberry Pi for not much more. Plus I don't have to worry about any future possibility of ads or other monetization system.

I had a Google TV (logitech revue unit), and that was flawed because of how buggy, laggy, and unsupported it was. I'm sure this new approach solves a lot of issues, but I like the idea of having a full (albeit tiny) computer with a more fully featured OS like Linux or even Android. Plus Android has an existing large library of games and apps. I don't trust Google to get the TV implementation right. Does this even have overlay? That's the one feature of Google TV I liked.

It's smart for Google to offer this at such a low price with Netflix bundled in, though, because it gets them a toe in the door with the potential customers just looking at how cheap it is when you factor in the cost of 3 months of Netflix. The phrase "why not?" is a sweet sound to Google's ears, and they'll be happy with all the impulse buyers who are buying these up like hotcakes.
 
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Is it me or is almost everyone missing the point?

"I already have a PS3/roku"

Your touchscreen device becomes your interface. Your tv is just playing the video. This completely solves the '10ft problem' and delaing with crappy uis/clunky remotes.
 
thecapsaicinkid said:
Is it me or is almost everyone missing the point?

"I already have a PS3/roku"

Your touchscreen device becomes your interface. Your tv is just playing the video. This completely solves the '10ft problem' and delaing with crappy uis/clunky remotes.
Click to expand...

What is the "10 foot problem"?
 
Mine is Out for Delivery, I wont get to it until 6PM, I am still wondering how the setup process goes.

For Chromecast

Desktop of Google Chrome- Has Extension
Google Music Just Updated for Chromecast
Youtube - Hasnt been updated
Netflix hasn't been updated, need 4.3?
Any other apps

Edit:
www.google.com/chromecast/setup
 
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thecapsaicinkid said:
Having a UI 10ft away. i.e everything is too small on a tv sat at the other end of your room.
Click to expand...

ehh, I'm pretty sure my PS3 has a 10 ft interface? Same with the Roku too I think 😕

As for "crappy uis/clunky remotes", how is pushing buttons on my Harmony 1 any more/less clunky than tapping on my phone or computer? I'd argue the latter is more hassle, especially if I have to unlock my phone just to pause Netflix or adjust the volume.

It looks like a neat device for sending youtube to the TV, but IMO not because it's any easier.
 
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obidamnkenobi said:
ehh, I'm pretty sure my PS3 has a 10 ft interface? Same with the Roku too I think 😕
Click to expand...
Yes and they all suck.

What I meant was, you either implement a '2ft UI' and everything is too small. Or you implement a '10ft UI' and things become big and clunky (XBMC, PS3, GoogleTV etc.). Having the UI on your tablet in your hands solves this.

obidamnkenobi said:
As for "crappy uis/clunky remotes", how is pushing buttons on my Harmony 1 any more/less clunky than tapping on my phone or computer? I'd argue the latter is more hassle, especially if I have to unlock my phone just to pause Netflix or adjust the volume.
Click to expand...
Try using something like Spotify with a remote on a tv screen sent from a GoogleTV or whatever and then compare that to using Spotify on a 7" tablet or the desktop/web UI with a mouse. Leagues apart.

You're right about the unlock thing, this needs to be quicker. I'll probably invest in that app which keeps your device unlocked near certain wifi points.
 
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thecapsaicinkid said:
Yes and they all suck.

What I meant was, you either implement a '2ft UI' and everything is too small. Or you implement a '10ft UI' and things become big and clunky (XBMC, PS3, GoogleTV etc.). Having the UI on your tablet in your hands solves this.
Click to expand...

Really? I was not aware. May I ask what's the problem with the Netflix UI on the PS3? It think it works perfectly fine, and is way better than the list on the website at least. And in fact the netflix app on my phone looks pretty much the same; a movie poster view. So how is having that in my hand a huge improvement?

And actually; I could browse, play, rewind and stop netflix movies on the PS3 via the app last week, without the chrome dongle.
 
thecapsaicinkid said:
Try using something like Spotify with a remote on a tv screen sent from a GoogleTV or whatever and then compare that to using Spotify on a 7" tablet or the desktop/web UI with a mouse. Leagues apart.

You're right about the unlock thing, this needs to be quicker. I'll probably invest in that app which keeps your device unlocked near certain wifi points.
Click to expand...

That's why I want a Sonos, which looks like it'll work better than this for music, unfortunately. I'm waiting for a review to see how well it works for play all access.

I tried using my ipod touch as a remote for Boxee on my HTPC years ago; not a fan..
 
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So how does the device work with network encyption. As far as I can tell you plug it in and it connects to a network and thats it.

Google does not have any instructions on how to connect to a secure wifi network.
 
obidamnkenobi said:
Really? I was not aware. May I ask what's the problem with the Netflix UI on the PS3? It think it works perfectly fine, and is way better than the list on the website at least. And in fact the netflix app on my phone looks pretty much the same; a movie poster view. So how is having that in my hand a huge improvement?

And actually; I could browse, play, rewind and stop netflix movies on the PS3 via the app last week, without the chrome dongle.
Click to expand...
Flicking through movies is probably the least offensive of large screen UIs. Like you say, you're pretty much just flicking through movie posters. Compare this to managing music playlists and selecting song tracks, it's a pretty large improvement.

Out of all the media setups I've used, I'm of the opinion that if I have a remote in my hand, it sucks.
 
This device sounds awesome for people who do not already have a networked Smart TV.

Or a Roku.
Or an Apple TV.
Or a PS3.
Or an XBox 360.
Or a networked BluRay player.
Or a... nevermind. You get the point. Google is late to the game on this one, as this market is already saturated.

Yeah, it's only $35... but don't forget you can get a refurbished Roku HD for that price now. The difference between a regular BluRay player and a networked BluRay player is less than $35 as well.
 
ultimatebob said:
This device sounds awesome for people who do not already have a networked Smart TV.

Or a Roku.
Or an Apple TV.
Or a PS3.
Or an XBox 360.
Or a networked BluRay player.
Or a... nevermind. You get the point. Google is late to the game on this one, as this market is already saturated.

Yeah, it's only $35... but don't forget you can get a refurbished Roku HD for that price now. The difference between a regular BluRay player and a networked BluRay player is less than $35 as well.
Click to expand...
I think you're wrong.

1. As mentioned, the touch UI will be leagues ahead of remote driven interfaces like those mentioned.

2. None of those support what the Chromecast will no doubt end up supporting. No YouTube on Roku, no Spotify/Google Play on Xbox/PS3 etc. It's going to be as open as Android currently is. Everything else is limited/has an agenda to push.

3. Add in a Logitech IR doohicky or tablet IR blaster and you'll be able to control your entire media setup with the same device.
 
ultimatebob said:
This device sounds awesome for people who do not already have a networked Smart TV.

Or a Roku.
Or an Apple TV.
Or a PS3.
Or an XBox 360.
Or a networked BluRay player.
Or a... nevermind. You get the point. Google is late to the game on this one, as this market is already saturated.

Yeah, it's only $35... but don't forget you can get a refurbished Roku HD for that price now. The difference between a regular BluRay player and a networked BluRay player is less than $35 as well.
Click to expand...

Yea but those bluray player apps usually suck and almost never get updated.

Also for $35 it's practically impulse buy territory. Plus, people have multiple tv's so people could buy this for another room since it's so cheap and works with tons of platforms.
 
thecapsaicinkid said:
Flicking through movies is probably the least offensive of large screen UIs. Like you say, you're pretty much just flicking through movie posters. Compare this to managing music playlists and selecting song tracks, it's a pretty large improvement.

Out of all the media setups I've used, I'm of the opinion that if I have a remote in my hand, it sucks.
Click to expand...

ok. I think we kinda agree, although I like remotes for some things. Physical buttons are great for clicking without looking, in the dark etc.

Music selection with a remote is not good. As mentioned I had boxee on my HTPC and scrolling through and selecting music was a pain. Sonos seems to me to be the best there, doing what you said. I'm hoping Chromecast can be a cheap (ghetto) sonos, but I need to know more how it works first. Youtube and all the other features I probably wouldn't use much so don't care about that.
 
ultimatebob said:
This device sounds awesome for people who do not already have a networked Smart TV.

Or a Roku.
Or an Apple TV.
Or a PS3.
Or an XBox 360.
Or a networked BluRay player.
Or a... nevermind. You get the point. Google is late to the game on this one, as this market is already saturated.

Yeah, it's only $35... but don't forget you can get a refurbished Roku HD for that price now. The difference between a regular BluRay player and a networked BluRay player is less than $35 as well.
Click to expand...

I couldn't disagree more. None of the things you mentioned are small enough to fit in a pocket, work without a remote of some kind (I always have my phone on or near me, can't say the same about remotes). I have an Apple TV and it's getting put up for sale right after I hook my Chromecast in.
 
this product doesnt interest me in the slightest. why is everyone so excited about it? do people really watch that much video/tv???
 
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