Hasta La Gadget!

Official Android screen mirroring for Chromecast looks to be fast approaching, with signs of code supporting the display option spotted among recent Android 4.4.1 patches. The ability to stream content locally from any Android device to a Chromecast plugged into a TV or display was unofficially hacked into the dongle early on, but Google banned […]

Android is an amazing operating system, particularly because there are unlimited possibilities when it comes to tinkering with the OS. Custom ROMs, kernels and firmwares are easily available for a wide variety of Android devices. Its interesting to see that even the highly stripped down version of the OS on Google Chromecast can also be tinkered with. Senior XDA member ddggttff3 has released a Google Chromecast custom ROM which brings a number of features that are not originally available on the dongle.

Google released the Chromecast HDMI dongle earlier this year. Only $35, the dongle lets users stream content from their mobile devices to their TVs. The PwnedCast ROM for Chrome is rooted, has its own dedicated recovery and over-the-air update system, meaning that if the developer releases an update for the ROM, it would be automatically downloaded on the dongle. Based on the 13300 stock image, Chromecast owners who were quick enough to root the dongle before Google released the root-blocking OTA update can install the ROM. It won’t work if you were able to root your Chromecast back then. Features include root SSH/Telnet access, Google’s OTA update disabled, built in KyoCast, custom boot image and more. The ROM and installation instructions can be found here.

Google Chromecast Custom ROM Released original content from Ubergizmo.

Google has lately taken to highlighting tablet-native Android apps; it only makes sense that the company would devote the same kind of love to Chromecast owners. Accordingly, the search firm has recently posted a Chromecast section in Google Play for those browsing from their Android devices. The selection is thin at the moment — you’ll find only Google’s media apps, HBO Go, Hulu Plus, Netflix and Pandora. Still, the section should be a handy one-stop shop for anyone eager to stream video on their TV — and might have a few more entries soon.

Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Tablets, HD, Mobile, Google

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Source: 9to5 Google

If you are a fan of the Google Chromecast streaming appliance, you will love the news that has turned up this week. The HBO Go app has now been updated to support Chromecast streaming. That means you can watch your favorite HBO programs, like Game of Thrones, on your TV using the Chromecast device.

The app has been updated to support Chromecast on Android and iOS platforms. The HBO Go app now gives users a button at the top that will let you choose Chromecast. Once chosen, any video launched will be played on Chromecast not the smart device.

Chromecast is one of the least expensive streaming devices out there, selling for just $35(USD). When the Chromecast device launched it supported YouTube and Netflix. It has now added support for Pandora and Hulu Plus. The playback quality of the video via Chromecast is said to be as good as other streaming sources like Apple TV and Roku devices.

Of course, you’ll still need to be an HBO cable or satellite subscriber in order to use the service.

[via PCMag]

Google has slowly trickled out more authorized commercial apps that can stream to its Chromecast dongle since launch (Hulu, Pandora, and most recently HBO Go) but what about homebrew? So far developers have been able to work with a preview Cast SDK (creating a few impressive demonstrations) but restrictions have prevented these apps from being released for widespread use. That will probably change next month, as Google has invited several developers including CyanogenMod / AirCast dev Koushik Dutta and Thomas Kjeldsen to a hackathon on December 7th and 8th in Mountain View. An opportunity to test drive the “upcoming release” of the Cast SDK is promised, plus an opportunity to talk with Google engineers about what it can do.

While we wait to find out what devs will be officially allowed to create for the $35 dongle, the official Android Chromecast control app got an update tonight. The new version brings a lightly refreshed design with the side-tray style seen in many Google apps lately, and adjusted the display of time zone settings and the Chromecast MAC address to ease troubleshooting.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Google

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Source: Koushik Dutta (G+), Thomas Kjuldsen (G+), Android Central Forums