Google Launches 'Google Play Movies & TV' App, iOS Chromecast Users Gain Alternative to iTunes

[elgrecomac]

Easy answer

Why would anyone at all pick this over iTunes?

Not everyone believes 'the Apple way' is the only way. Apple is a closed ecosystem. Offering people choices benefits us all. And either Amazon or Netflix is heading down the same road. As a consumer it is about choices. If you like Apple's ecosystem, great. But If one doesn't, well, one now has an alternative. And, hopefully, there will be many alternatives. And not all content will be the same. So perhaps you can utilize both Apple's and Google's ecosystems.

And for the Google-haters, well, the TV networks are not in love with Apple or Apple TV would be much more robust than it is. TV content providers remember the music industry and what it did to them, both good and bad, and they will not let that happen to them.

Competition is good.

 

[cgdrennan]

It would be interesting if it worked the OTHER way - Google allowed Apple services. But that will never happen. Apple is more open than the competitors - funny how the haters want to believe otherwise.

BOOTCAMP! I'm sick of people still thinking nothing is compatible. If anything they are better than Microsoft and google now

 

[Ries]

they already have Vudu, amazon and other players in the app store

this is just google trying to get some market share beyond their pitiful 1% or so

Funny how market share suddenly matters when it isn't Apple. Maybe it's Google's hobby...

 

[Oletros]

My grandfather told me years ago, that if you're using a service, and you're not paying for it, that you are not the consumer, but the product.

Then your parent was wrong

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It would be interesting if it worked the OTHER way - Google allowed Apple services. But that will never happen.

Yes, because Apple is not interested on bringing services to other platforms, not because Google would ban them on their platform

Apple is more open than the competitors - funny how the haters want to believe otherwise.

And how it is more open?

 

[Parasprite]

Name one popular product Google killed that was regularly in use. The only one that caused a stir when it shut down was Google Reader. The rest? Buzz and Wave weren't used all that much, and their functionality ended up being rolled into other services.

I call shenanigans. Name one of their services you used that was suddenly shut down. Name one you used where your suddenly found your content unavailable to you without warning.

Not a product, but I seriously miss the + operator for searches...

I mean, I know it's in Bing... which always appears to be much better than Google... but somehow I just keep going back and I can never remember why.

 

[Todd B.]

Have you seen the #s for chromecast. People are using them. But you can be in denial if you'd like.

Yeah, nobody is using it; why would they use a half-baked solution like Chromecast that doesn't even do anything and has the typical no support from Google? Maybe they should spend some time working on that instead of trying to fake their numbers like they do with Google+.

 

[Oletros]

Not a product, but I seriously miss the + operator for searches...

But you can replace the + with ""

 

[g-7]

"The item you've requested is not currently available in the Polish Store."
Yeah.

 

[BigHonkingDeal]

My grandfather told me years ago, that if you're using a service, and you're not paying for it, that you are not the consumer, but the product.

Your grandfather..... Really?

 

[MrMickS]

Google eases move to iOS

Interesting move from Google as it makes it easier for people that have made Google Play purchases to move from Android to iOS.

 

[jsw]

Yeah, nobody is using it; why would they use a half-baked solution like Chromecast that doesn't even do anything and has the typical no support from Google? Maybe they should spend some time working on that instead of trying to fake their numbers like they do with Google+.

Let's see. It's a third the cost of an Apple TV. It's ~1/5 the size. It gets updated more frequently than my ATV. It hides behind the TV. It gets most of what I care to watch on my ATV with the (large) exception of iTunes content, but it also plays Play content, which I also own. I can easily bring it when I travel.

I have, on the same TV, the ATV3, a Roku 3, and the Chromecast. All serve their purpose, each does some thing(s) the others don't, and I like them all. However, I tend to get Chromecasts for other TVs simply because, again, they're 1/3 the cost and provide most of the benefits in my case. If you're strongly dependent upon iTunes, clearly that's not the case for you.

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Interesting move from Google as it makes it easier for people that have made Google Play purchases to move from Android to iOS.

Or, in my case, to use Play purchases on iOS devices as well. There exist many of us who span ecosystems.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

I do wonder why Apple allows this... isn't it just adding iTunes competition?

iOS apps that directly compete with with Apple's media offerings existed before this.

Off the top of my head:

Amazon Instant Video
Pandora, Spotify

Ultimately it's in Apples best interest to allow competing apps and services because it fends off anti-trust claims and also makes the iDevices more valuable because it deepens the app bench. Apple makes the vast majority of its $ on hardware, not media sales and rentals.

 

[samcraig]

If I remember correctly, devices do NOT stream to the Chromecast. Rather, the Chromecast checks what the device is viewing and pulls it by itself from the Internet. That would explain why there is no offline viewing. Or has that changed?

Well that would explain no offline viewing for chromecasting - not necc for google play content locally on the device though.

Yeah, nobody is using it; why would they use a half-baked solution like Chromecast that doesn't even do anything and has the typical no support from Google? Maybe they should spend some time working on that instead of trying to fake their numbers like they do with Google+.

So you've spoken to everyone who has bought one and know that they aren't using it, huh? Chromecast doesn't do anything? Clearly you've never used one. Which, in itself, negates your entire series of posts.

Perhaps you should spend less time hating just for the sake of hating?

 

[2457282]

I get all the competition comments on this thread. However, to me the chromecast makes no sense. to save 40 bucks from the apple TV (before any discounts), you give up a device worth hundreds of dollars. Now maybe you can accuse me of being a little ADD, but I like watching something on my Apple TV while I am surfing on my iPad or iPhone. With Chromecast I need to go somewhere to buy the content then comeback and start an app on my iPad/iPhone. Stream the content to the chromecast which then means the idevice cannot be used for something else. Seems complicated to say the least and actually more expensive than just shelling out the extra 40 bucks. Another way of saying this is that Chromecast is a wireless tether to my idevice and I don't want that thanks. I think the real alternative to ATV is Roku.

 

[samcraig]

I get all the competition comments on this thread. However, to me the chromecast makes no sense. to save 40 bucks from the apple TV (before any discounts), you give up a device worth hundreds of dollars. Now maybe you can accuse me of being a little ADD, but I like watching something on my Apple TV while I am surfing on my iPad or iPhone. With Chromecast I need to go somewhere to buy the content then comeback and start an app on my iPad/iPhone. Stream the content to the chromecast which then means the idevice cannot be used for something else. Seems complicated to say the least and actually more expensive than just shelling out the extra 40 bucks. Another way of saying this is that Chromecast is a wireless tether to my idevice and I don't want that thanks. I think the real alternative to ATV is Roku.

No offense - sincerely - but it doesn't seem like you understand how chromecast works.

For one - the content doesn't stream from the device, it streams from google's servers. You can use your iPad and iPhone just like you could if you were airplaying. Unless THAT has changed with the new app update.

Second - you're talking about a $35 device vs a $99 device. So how is that only $40?

Third - over time, total cost of ownership could be significantly less if Play prices for content are less than iTunes. YMMV.

That being said - I think Roku not only is more competition for Apple TV, but in many ways much better.

It's unfortunate that Apple won't allow other devices to stream their content. I get the exclusivity thing - but at the same time, they are probably losing quite a bit in content sales that they could be making.

 

[SirLance99]

Yeah, nobody is using it; why would they use a half-baked solution like Chromecast that doesn't even do anything and has the typical no support from Google? Maybe they should spend some time working on that instead of trying to fake their numbers like they do with Google+.

Um.......It was Times gadget of the year and the hottest selling item this past holiday season. Also, on Amazon it was the ‘Top Selling’ product in Amazon’s Computers and Accessories category? Yep, the Chromecast even outsold all the versions of Amazon’s own Kindle Fire line, as well as other similar streaming devices like Roku 3 and Apple TV

I have have one for every TV, and often buy one for friends or family who love the Chromecast as well.

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I get all the competition comments on this thread. However, to me the chromecast makes no sense. to save 40 bucks from the apple TV (before any discounts), you give up a device worth hundreds of dollars. Now maybe you can accuse me of being a little ADD, but I like watching something on my Apple TV while I am surfing on my iPad or iPhone. With Chromecast I need to go somewhere to buy the content then comeback and start an app on my iPad/iPhone. Stream the content to the chromecast which then means the idevice cannot be used for something else. Seems complicated to say the least and actually more expensive than just shelling out the extra 40 bucks. Another way of saying this is that Chromecast is a wireless tether to my idevice and I don't want that thanks. I think the real alternative to ATV is Roku.

That's is not how it works. You choose your content which gets cast to the Chromecast freeing up your device to do whatever you want. You can even leave the house with the device you started the cast with and have someone continue watching your content. I could even take over the controlls with my device if I wanted to.

You should try it before making false statements.

 

[2457282]

Um.......It was Times gadget of the year and the hottest selling item this past holiday season. Also, on Amazon it was the ‘Top Selling’ product in Amazon’s Computers and Accessories category? Yep, the Chromecast even outsold all the versions of Amazon’s own Kindle Fire line, as well as other similar streaming devices like Roku 3 and Apple TV

I have have one for every TV, and often buy one for friends or family who love the Chromecast as well.

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That's is not how it works. You choose your content which gets cast to the Chromecast freeing up your device to do whatever you want. You can even leave the house with the device you started the cast with and have someone continue watching your content. I could even take over the controlls with my device if I wanted to.

You should try it before making false statements.

Well, I have ATV on all my TVs not chromecast, so you are correct that I have never tried it. I was basing my statements on what I heard from others that I considered informed. You are correct that I should have verified my information first. Which I will do presently.

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No offense - sincerely - but it doesn't seem like you understand how chromecast works.

For one - the content doesn't stream from the device, it streams from google's servers. You can use your iPad and iPhone just like you could if you were airplaying. Unless THAT has changed with the new app update.

Second - you're talking about a $35 device vs a $99 device. So how is that only $40?

Third - over time, total cost of ownership could be significantly less if Play prices for content are less than iTunes. YMMV.

That being said - I think Roku not only is more competition for Apple TV, but in many ways much better.

It's unfortunate that Apple won't allow other devices to stream their content. I get the exclusivity thing - but at the same time, they are probably losing quite a bit in content sales that they could be making.

No offense taken. I am looking into this now. As an ATV user, i was going on second hand information and based on your comment and one other recieved, it looks like I was mis-informed. You got me on my poor math skills. As for Roku, if I did not have ATVs already, I am sure I would get a Roku. I agree that it has some very nice features.

 

[Zemzil]

wrong subject ! (delete)

 

[Jimmy James]

So this will only stream to chrome cast but no airplay?

So Apple TV will do airplay but no dlna?

 

[SirLance99]

Well, I have ATV on all my TVs not chromecast, so you are correct that I have never tried it. I was basing my statements on what I heard from others that I considered informed. You are correct that I should have verified my information first. Which I will do presently.

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No offense taken. I am looking into this now. As an ATV user, i was going on second hand information and based on your comment and one other recieved, it looks like I was mis-informed. You got me on my poor math skills. As for Roku, if I did not have ATVs already, I am sure I would get a Roku. I agree that it has some very nice features.

You Sir win today. Not only for stating that you were misinformed based on comments made from friends but go on to state that you will look into yourself and learn about the Chromecast. This shows so much character about you.

I have complete respect for you and anyone who does this. I have to do this from time to time as well.

 

[auero]

Yeah, nobody is using it; why would they use a half-baked solution like Chromecast that doesn't even do anything and has the typical no support from Google? Maybe they should spend some time working on that instead of trying to fake their numbers like they do with Google+.

That's just your opinion. I love my chromecast. I pretty much throw it in my bag when I leave the house. For one, it allows me to watch all my content from my plex server wherever I am.

 

[TheHateMachine]

Well, I have ATV on all my TVs not chromecast, so you are correct that I have never tried it. I was basing my statements on what I heard from others that I considered informed. You are correct that I should have verified my information first. Which I will do presently.

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No offense taken. I am looking into this now. As an ATV user, i was going on second hand information and based on your comment and one other recieved, it looks like I was mis-informed. You got me on my poor math skills. As for Roku, if I did not have ATVs already, I am sure I would get a Roku. I agree that it has some very nice features.

Kind of weird to see someone with your attitude on the internets. Kudos

As for the Chromecast, it is such a small amount of money to try it. That even if you do not like it and prefer the ATV you aren't out much at all.

 

[samcraig]

Kind of weird to see someone with your attitude on the internets. Kudos

As for the Chromecast, it is such a small amount of money to try it. That even if you do not like it and prefer the ATV you aren't out much at all.

Especially since you can probably figure out if it's a good fit for you before any return policy expires.

 

[Todd B.]

Um.......It was Times gadget of the year and the hottest selling item this past holiday season. Also, on Amazon it was the ‘Top Selling’ product in Amazon’s Computers and Accessories category? Yep, the Chromecast even outsold all the versions of Amazon’s own Kindle Fire line, as well as other similar streaming devices like Roku 3 and Apple TV

lol. Google releases a limited amount of product, hype it to all the Googlebots, and then go "YAY LOOK AT HOW FAST WE SOLD OUT" and you think that's a big deal?

That doesn't even go into the people that end up using it as a paperweight or send it back when they realise that Google released another broken, half-finished product which is actually crap.

 

[Renzatic]

lol. Google releases a limited amount of product, hype it to all the Googlebots, and then go "YAY LOOK AT HOW FAST WE SOLD OUT" and you think that's a big deal?

There's a difference between sold out, and best selling. There's no denying the Chromecast is selling more than decently.

That doesn't even go into the people that end up using it as a paperweight or send it back when they realise that it's actually crap.

You got any links to back up that assertion?