Posted on 09/14/2013 6:21:29 AM PDT by InterceptPoint
As soon as Google unveiled Chromecast, I was lucky enough to scoop up a couple of the $35 devices to connect the two TVs in our home. After a few weeks, it’s fundamentally changed how my family watches TV. It’s also changed some of my perceptions about the evolution of the “second screen.”
Most of the TV viewing in our house is dominated by our kids. Ages 3 and 5, they immediately grasped how to “cast” their Netflix shows from our phones (iPhone and Nexus 4) and iPads to either TV. After all, they were already watching Netflix on their devices, and simply tapping an icon to play it on TV turned out to be an extremely natural act. For them, devices are the starting point to watch video, not the TV.
For me, the remote control has been my historical starting point, but Chromecast is liberating because it’s invisibly tied to my omnipresent devices. I can leave both TVs on Chromecast (why should we have to turn TVs on and off?), then pick up any phone or tablet in my home, find a show and cast it instantly. I always have my phone in my pocket — but not remote controls — and our tablets are always sitting on the couch or next to the bed. Finding a show on a tablet is much easier than tapping up/down/left/right on a remote, and the multitasking wizardry of Chromecast makes it a snap to play something and do something else at the same time.
I don’t think Chromecast will fail from Googles point of view. They want to drive people to YouTube and Chromecat does that.
But look at today’s Smart TVs. That can do what Chromecast can do but most if not all require the use of a wireless keyboard to really be efficient. Not too many folks are going to do that.
So what will happen to Chromecast as we go forward? My prediction:
Short run: a huge success. At least 10s of millions sold.
Long run: Smart TVs wiil start working with your iPad or IPhone and do exactly want the Chromecast does now. That should be no more than a tear or two away.
If you have a smartphone, you can play Youtube videos on TV via Roku using a free app called "Twonky Beam."
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3066707/posts
Any chance of starting a Free Republic channel on YouTube?
I hope Jim answers this. FR needs a YouTube channel.
I’m still using the original Roku box and love it. One of these days I’m going to bite the bullet and upgrade to the Roku 3.
Is there an app for that?
I have been with Directv since 1998. There were several shows my wife liked to watch and we would DVR them then FF through the commercials. Most of the shows she liked, didn’t really appeal to me but I watched them with her. She passed away May 30 and there are only a couple of shows I like to watch now. I would like to drop Directv but I would still like to watch Blue Bloods and Longmire and college football. I know I can get old movies from Netflix or Amazon so I don’t worry about that, but how do I get the two shows and college football?
I checked this out. Not quite as slick as Chromecast and the setup is a little more complicated but functionally there is little difference. One would think that Roku would provide their own app and be pushing this given the hit they are likely to take from their new competition.
I had DirecTV for about 15 years. This past February 17, I turned it off as part of a 40 day fast (DirecTV allows customers to suspend service up to 6 months a year).
After 40 days, I found I didn’t miss it a bit, and suspended my service until August 17. When my suspension time ended, I called them and cancelled my service permanently.
Do not miss TV a bit.
Now, I still have Netflix and Amazon Prime streaming. But, I never watch them unless my daughter is here and we watch something together (streamed Tangled last night).
Life’s too short and there is too much else to do.
LOL!
Sounds perfect. :)
I did the same thing awhile back. There is so much free stuff online there is absolutely no reason to pay for anything. I have even seen all the hit movies that are still in the theaters....online free.
Thanks! I’m not tech savvy at all!
Given those channel numbers are you in Western NY?
Ancient Boston..
Now google will know everything you are watching.
2000 Channels and still there’s nothing on.
In Googleland TV watches you.
Now google will know everything you are watching.
++++++++
And this is the worst part - they will forward that data to NSA and the next thing you know Valerie Jarrett will know what I’m watching!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.