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Next week's new Chromecast launch speculation

Posted on 9/23/15 at 9:38 am
Posted by CAD703X
Liberty Island
Member since Jul 2008
77947 posts
Posted on 9/23/15 at 9:38 am
LINK /

Looks pretty awesome if the rumors are true..fire tv killer staying at $35!

Was about to buy another one for the new TV I just set up but now I think I'll wait a little longer and see if this is as good as it looks.


quote:

The report indicates that the Wi-Fi adapter will now be compatible with 802.11 ac, as opposed to just 802.11 b/g/n. Most critics of the original Chromecast pointed out the lack of 5GHz support. Although nothing on that was mentioned, we’re hopeful Google will add that support as well.

Another complaint on the original Chromecast is that streams can take a few extra seconds to start. This is because the information has to be sent from the mobile device to the Chromecast itself, then the Chromecast has to fetch the information. There will supposedly be a new feature called Fast Play, that could speed up the entire process.

The original Chromecast only offered an HDMI connection, but the 2nd-gen is likely to offer an additional auxiliary connection. It appears that it would be able to connect directly to an analog audio input on a AVR receiver or an external speaker simultaneously with the HDMI connection. There is also a mention of multiroom support which leads us to believe this feature is for those that want to play the audio from the Chromecast on a second set of speakers. This means that if you connect the new Chromecast to the HDMI port and the analog audio port of an AVR receiver at the same time, you will be able to enjoy streamed music on a second set of speakers.


quote:

The new Chromecast will get some new functionality as well. According to the report, Google will add more choices for the backdrop screen. This is the screen that displays when the Chromecast is idle. Users already can add photo streams from Google Photos or other services, but it looks like Google will add the ability to include social media feeds. We presume this feature will also be available on the original Chromecast.

It’s also believed the Spotify will finally add Chromecast support to its app. This would be huge news since it’s one of the most popular music streaming services available today.


quote:

According to the report, Google will launch it alongside the new Nexus devices at the rumored Sept. 29 event in San Francisco. We do need to note that Google hasn’t publicly acknowledged this event though.

Chromecast fans will also be happy to know that the price is expected to remain at $35, which will likely make the new Chromecast one of the hottest gifts for the holidays.

This post was edited on 9/23/15 at 9:40 am
Posted by whodatfan
Member since Mar 2008
21324 posts
Posted on 9/23/15 at 10:04 am to
Posted by tigersmanager
Member since Jun 2010
7313 posts
Posted on 9/23/15 at 11:15 am to
Fire tv killer lol don't think so
Posted by ILikeLSUToo
Central, LA
Member since Jan 2008
18018 posts
Posted on 9/23/15 at 12:12 pm to
quote:

fire tv killer


I love the Chromecast, but it's not for everyone. The fire stick is an everyman device and will most certainly continue to outsell the Chromecast. Plus, while Spotify is a nice addition, Chromecast still has some huge support gaps that need to be filled before it can be considered an anything-killer -- Kodi and Amazon video.

quote:

There will supposedly be a new feature called Fast Play


I'm guessing this just skips the step of offloading the streaming connection to the Chromecast, so using this feature will rely on the strength of your phone/tablet/PC's internet connection and its availability on your network. Or maybe it does at first and buffers in the background until it no longer needs your device.

Seems like a nice upgrade. I'm just much more interested in the support side of it. My current Chromecasts work flawlessly for what I use them for, but I am finding myself gravitating more to my Amazon Fire stick when I want to watch pirated movies. It's the one thing the Fire Stick does faster since it so readily supports Kodi.
Posted by CAD703X
Liberty Island
Member since Jul 2008
77947 posts
Posted on 9/23/15 at 12:21 pm to
i guess i dont know what i'm missing because the chromecast does everything i need it for:

- HBOGO
- WatchESPN
- Google Music
- Pandora (wife still uses this)
- Gorgeous backdrop when not in use
- Cartoon HD/aka 'new movies'

The biggest drawback i've had is the X1 app from Xfinity doesn't support CAST natively so i have to fire up the tablet or my phone and use the 'cast screen' to get my local news on it in the mornings and it can be jerky and will EAT THE frick out of your battery.

That limitation would exist with appletv, firewtick, roku etc so why would i spend more money and possibly have to deal with something that isn't hidden and powered by the TV already?

eta also since we have 3 already (soon to get a 4th) everyone in the house knows how to use it.
This post was edited on 9/23/15 at 12:23 pm
Posted by TigerinATL
Member since Feb 2005
61440 posts
Posted on 9/23/15 at 12:33 pm to
quote:

i guess i dont know what i'm missing


A remote control. I don't see why they don't even sell one as an add on. How do you handle this CAD? So you missed something that someone said and need to hit rewind but you missed what they said because you were doing something on your phone. Do you have to switch from whatever app distracted you to a chromecast control app to hit the rewind button? If so that seems like a 1st world problem I have no desire to deal with.
Posted by ILikeLSUToo
Central, LA
Member since Jan 2008
18018 posts
Posted on 9/23/15 at 12:38 pm to
On my nexus 6, I simply pull down my taskbar and control whatever is being cast. I prefer the ease of navigation on my phone vs. button mashing, but as I said, it is definitely not for everyone.

EDIT: My wife's iPhone, with the sandboxed app environment, is a little less friendly to the Chromecast. She has to open the app that's casting (netflix, youtube, whatever), so it's an extra step.
This post was edited on 9/23/15 at 12:50 pm
Posted by CAD703X
Liberty Island
Member since Jul 2008
77947 posts
Posted on 9/23/15 at 12:44 pm to
quote:

How do you handle this CAD? So you missed something that someone said and need to hit rewind but you missed what they said because you were doing something on your phone. Do you have to switch from whatever app distracted you to a chromecast control app to hit the rewind button? If so that seems like a 1st world problem I have no desire to deal with.


its a pretty solid question.

i guess i haven't noticed the annoyance factor there because my SO would shoot me if i was fricking around on the phone while watching a show.

if its sports or something i always pause it to do something else.

if i'm jacking around on my phone while there's a show on that probably means i dont care enough about the show to want to rewind something i missed.
This post was edited on 9/23/15 at 12:45 pm
Posted by ILikeLSUToo
Central, LA
Member since Jan 2008
18018 posts
Posted on 9/23/15 at 12:45 pm to
quote:

i guess i dont know what i'm missing because the chromecast does everything i need it for:



Same here. However, when I want to watch a newer movie, my usual process would be to torrent it and then cast it via plex. But since getting a fire stick and loading Kodi on it, I find it's faster to just find the movie and stream it there. Not a LOT faster, mind you. I'm apparently one of those rare few who find a physical remote to be inferior to the ability to use practically any internet-connected device anywhere in my house to control it.
Posted by CAD703X
Liberty Island
Member since Jul 2008
77947 posts
Posted on 9/23/15 at 12:48 pm to
quote:

However, when I want to watch a newer movie, my usual process would be to torrent it and then cast it via plex.


you really should give cartoon HD a spin. it will change your concept of torrenting.

with a tiny bit of work, you also have subtitles available..its about 6 additional clicks when starting the movie.

no more dealing with the hassle of finding and integrating subs with your torrents.

no more dealing with space issues or having to wait for a torrent to finish downloading.

then again my premium 5.1 system is in my son's basement apartment now so i'm not looking for BD rip quality and am happy to settle for the 720p version that streams via cartoon HD.
This post was edited on 9/23/15 at 12:50 pm
Posted by Korkstand
Member since Nov 2003
28703 posts
Posted on 9/23/15 at 1:16 pm to
quote:

my SO would shoot me if i was fricking around on the phone while watching a show.
My wife and I are both always fricking with our phones while "watching" shows. We really just listen to shows.
Posted by CAD703X
Liberty Island
Member since Jul 2008
77947 posts
Posted on 9/23/15 at 1:21 pm to


i rarely get to watch a show these days (4 kids, 3 animals and a pool) so we have to choose carefully and the shows we watch (deadwood, house of cards, true detective..) we have to really pay attention to the dialog.
Posted by ILikeLSUToo
Central, LA
Member since Jan 2008
18018 posts
Posted on 9/23/15 at 1:30 pm to
quote:

My wife and I are both always fricking with our phones while "watching" shows. We really just listen to shows.



This makes me feel better. My wife and I do the same, and I try to convince myself it's a sign of an effective multitasker rather than demonstration of a complete inability to focus.
Posted by CAD703X
Liberty Island
Member since Jul 2008
77947 posts
Posted on 9/23/15 at 1:32 pm to
my wife would take a hammer to every device in our house if she could

i'd be upset but she's got a damn good point most of the time.

ok wink..pair light switch
PAIR light switch

frickING PAIR light switch

PAIR YOU frickING LOUSY PIECE OF shite

LIGHT.

SWITCH.

PAIR.

you fricktarded piece of shite CONNECT TO MY GODDAMN LIGHT SWITCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111!!!1!1!!!!

from kitchen: Honey, will you please just put the 39 cent switch back so I can see how to finish dinner?
Posted by Korkstand
Member since Nov 2003
28703 posts
Posted on 9/23/15 at 1:43 pm to
quote:

I'm apparently one of those rare few who find a physical remote to be inferior to the ability to use practically any internet-connected device anywhere in my house to control it.
The physical remote has a huge advantage when it comes to eyes-free operations. For me (and for a lot of people, I guess), it's tough to beat being able to keep your eyes on the screen while using the remote.

I think gesture inputs will eventually become more mainstream. A lot of people are high on voice input, but that has always felt awkward to me, especially if I'm watching TV while others are asleep. I'm waiting for the day when we have Minority Report style gesture UIs. I think we are close with smart watches and kinect and leap motion type devices.
Posted by Korkstand
Member since Nov 2003
28703 posts
Posted on 9/23/15 at 1:48 pm to
quote:

This makes me feel better. My wife and I do the same, and I try to convince myself it's a sign of an effective multitasker rather than demonstration of a complete inability to focus.
I wish we could watch ourselves watching TV. We always both look up in unison when we know we have to actually watch a certain part. Then back to just listening and messing with phones.

That's for "our" shows, though. For my shows, I usually watch the whole thing.
Posted by ILikeLSUToo
Central, LA
Member since Jan 2008
18018 posts
Posted on 9/23/15 at 1:55 pm to
quote:

The physical remote has a huge advantage when it comes to eyes-free operations. For me (and for a lot of people, I guess), it's tough to beat being able to keep your eyes on the screen while using the remote.



Extremely valid point. I guess I don't rewind/FF enough to consider that. When I do, I just use the progress bar thingy and scrub back 10/30/60 seconds or whatever. What I like best about using a computing device for a remote is the initial navigation and selection. I frequently browse for content rather than immediately know what I intend to watch, so scrolling, searching, selecting etc. is a whole lot more convenient on a phone or PC. And even when I already know what I want to watch on something like netflix, getting it from the app to my TV is just 3 finger taps (cast, select device, resume show).
Posted by guedeaux
Tardis
Member since Jan 2008
13609 posts
Posted on 9/23/15 at 3:10 pm to
quote:

d even when I already know what I want to watch on something like netflix, getting it from the app to my TV is just 3 finger taps (cast, select device, resume show).


I think that if you have an amazon device you can do this. If they included this feature into their remote app, it would be, dare I say, a Chromecast killer...
Posted by TigerBait1127
Houston
Member since Jun 2005
47336 posts
Posted on 9/23/15 at 3:14 pm to
quote:

remote control. I don't see why they don't even sell one as an add on. How do you handle this CAD? So you missed something that someone said and need to hit rewind but you missed what they said because you were doing something on your phone. Do you have to switch from whatever app distracted you to a chromecast control app to hit the rewind button? If so that seems like a 1st world problem I have no desire to deal with.




I swipe down the notification bar and hit rewind
Posted by CAD703X
Liberty Island
Member since Jul 2008
77947 posts
Posted on 9/23/15 at 3:14 pm to
quote:

dare I say, a Chromecast killer.
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