WATCH VIDEO. Google has introduced Chromecast, a HDMI dongle that enables any TV to be connected to the internet.
The small device fits in the back of any TV set that has a HDMI port and connects wirelessly to online streaming services such as YouTube, Netflix and others. A mobile device serves as a remote control.
The dongle sells for $35 (€26) in the Google Play store, but US reports suggests that supplies ran out just after the announcement of Chromecast. The set will also become available on other outlets such as Amazon and via Best Buy shops.
Broadband TV Views. Devices such as Chromecast have been around now for some time, most of them using Android with a separate keyboard remote to access web-delivered streaming video services.
So far, impact of these simple devices has been very limited and did not pose a serious threat to stand-alone boxes such as Apple TV, Roku or connected game consoles such as Microsoft’s Xbox.
The question now is – will Google be able to jump-start connected TV by launching the new device. pricing at $35 is very competitive – so far such dongles were sold for around €100.
The introduction of Chromecast also begs the question whether Google has now given up on its original Google TV idea, which required hardware manufacturers to incorporate the Google TV software into their TV sets.
It looks like most CE manufacturers were not very keen on introducing Google TV alongside (or in place of) their own smart TV portals.
