Database Develop

Amazon AppStore.

I just wanted to say that the Amazon App Store is a really nice alternative to the Android Market. With honeycomb finally get to see new apps. Angry Birds Rio is really nice, and nows its free today for the ad free version.

sal_shawn said:
I just wanted to say that the Amazon App Store is a really nice alternative to the Android Market. With honeycomb finally get to see new apps. Angry Birds Rio is really nice, and nows its free today for the ad free version.
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Can someone explain to me the logic in having another place to get apps outside of the Google Market that benefits consumers? So I get Angry Birds Rio because it is exclusive however, if I remove the Amazon market app it stops working. Why? And all the other apps I checked are already available in the Google Market. So why do I need to use the Amazon Appstore other than exclusive content which in my opinion if fragmenting the available apps?

keitht said:
Can someone explain to me the logic in having another place to get apps outside of the Google Market that benefits consumers? So I get Angry Birds Rio because it is exclusive however, if I remove the Amazon market app it stops working. Why? And all the other apps I checked are already available in the Google Market. So why do I need to use the Amazon Appstore other than exclusive content which in my opinion if fragmenting the available apps?
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Different features in the actual marketplace; different payment processor (Amazon, which I use extensively, has all my payment information but I do not use Google Checkout); different prices and yes, a different selection. Amazon and other app stores can offer additional features to developers like the DRM you are complaining about which will lead to fragmentation that may or may not be a good thing (time will tell). Who knows, maybe there will be a prime-esque subscription service at some point. Best Buy may sell the same games as Gamestop, but I'm glad I have the choice to never shop at the latter.

sangreal06 said:
Different features in the actual marketplace; different payment processor (Amazon, which I use extensively, has all my payment information but I do not use Google Checkout); different prices and yes, a different selection. Amazon and other app stores can offer additional features to developers like the DRM you are complaining about which will lead to fragmentation that may or may not be a good thing (time will tell). Who knows, maybe there will be a prime-esque subscription service at some point. Best Buy may sell the same games as Gamestop, but I'm glad I have the choice to never shop at the latter.
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I am all about choice but having multiple places to search is not a positive feature in my opinion. Will we have 10 other app stores pop up next week? Not very appealing in my opinion.

keitht said:
Can someone explain to me the logic in having another place to get apps outside of the Google Market that benefits consumers? So I get Angry Birds Rio because it is exclusive however, if I remove the Amazon market app it stops working. Why? And all the other apps I checked are already available in the Google Market. So why do I need to use the Amazon Appstore other than exclusive content which in my opinion if fragmenting the available apps?
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Well I just like the ability to see all the new released apps. In Google's market for the Xoom all you can see is the featured and top apps.

keitht said:
I am all about choice but having multiple places to search is not a positive feature in my opinion. Will we have 10 other app stores pop up next week? Not very appealing in my opinion.
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I can see you concern but I do not see how that is any different from other shopping experiences. I prefer Amazon's search/sorting capabilities from my brief look earlier. I'm sure eventually there will be apps to search any and all available app stores.

sal_shawn said:
Well I just like the ability to see all the new released apps. In Google's market for the Xoom all you can see is the featured and top apps.
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That is an issue that Google can resolve. You get 10 other companies providing an app store, how is that helping? You then have to do the same search 10 times.

keitht said:
That is an issue that Google can resolve. You get 10 other companies providing an app store, how is that helping? You then have to do the same search 10 times.
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I see your point. I agree I would prefer one place to get my apps. But right now when I just go browsing for apps amazon is alot easier.

This has to be one of the biggest blunders I have ever seen with Android yet. Most of the Amazon market is filled with apps that are already available in the Google Market. The only app I have seen so far that is not available is Angry Birds Rio. And if you do not install or have removed the Amazon appstore app, you cannot even run it. Does that sound like the same issue with DRM protected music?
And what allows Amazon to create their own app store? Is it easy for 20, 30, 100 others to start their own store with mostly the same apps with their own rules? This does not look good. Who wants to search 100 stores for apps to find what they are looking for and on top of that, have different rules. This has to be the most retarded thing I have ever seen since owning an Android device and is doomed for failure.

If you don't like it, don't use it. Let market forces determine things. If 10 app stores popped out tomorrow I guarantee most would not succeed. As it is there are several alternative app stores for android already, and they have not caused any problems. Competition is ALLWAYS a good thing, even for our beloved google. Same reason I am happy that apple is constantly pushing on android and vice-versa. Competition is the underlying rationale for using Android for me.

keitht said:
This has to be one of the biggest blunders I have ever seen with Android yet. Most of the Amazon market is filled with apps that are already available in the Google Market. The only app I have seen so far that is not available is Angry Birds Rio. And if you do not install or have removed the Amazon appstore app, you cannot even run it. Does that sound like the same issue with DRM protected music?
And what allows Amazon to create their own app store? Is it easy for 20, 30, 100 others to start their own store with mostly the same apps with their own rules? This does not look good. Who wants to search 100 stores for apps to find what they are looking for and on top of that, have different rules. This has to be the most retarded thing I have ever seen since owning an Android device and is doomed for failure.
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So on your PC, you would rather have one single source for all your software? You don't comparison shop, buy from different vendors, directly from developers? The app concept and having it all in one place is a convenience, thats it. Its like saying you should not open up a Target because your town already has a Wall-Mart or something...

diaa08 said:
So on your PC, you would rather have one single source for all your software? You don't comparison shop, buy from different vendors, directly from developers? The app concept and having it all in one place is a convenience, thats it. Its like saying you should not open up a Target because your town already has a Wall-Mart or something...
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This is not my PC. You go to Amazon store and you see the same apps available in the Google Market. You think the average consumer wants to search multiple markets for an app? I know I don't. And the same app works from Google market and not from another app store because their appstore app is not installed? You think this is a good user experience? I don't. Do not compare to PC experience because the Android tablet experience is based on competition from Apple iPad not from a PC experience. This will be a disaster in a year from now where iPad users can search one location for all their app needs and Android tablet users will need to search 100+ for theirs. There is no reason why these apps cannot be in one location.

keitht said:
There is no reason why these apps cannot be in one location.
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But there is a reason... different terms and features for developers.

sangreal06 said:
But there is a reason... different terms and features for developers.
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And what specifically are those?

keitht said:
This is not my PC. You go to Amazon store and you see the same apps available in the Google Market. You think the average consumer wants to search multiple markets for an app? I know I don't. And the same app works from Google market and not from another app store because their appstore app is not installed? You think this is a good user experience? I don't. Do not compare to PC experience because the Android tablet experience is based on competition from Apple iPad not from a PC experience. This will be a disaster in a year from now where iPad users can search one location for all their app needs and Android tablet users will need to search 100+ for theirs. There is no reason why these apps cannot be in one location.
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haha i don't want to get a back and forth going here, but really, just don't use the amazon app store and all will be ok. not to overblow the analogy, but two supermarkets usually carry 99% of the same things, doesn't mean you should get rid of one or preclude new ones from opening up.
i realize that apple people have their walled garden with their false sense of security and limited options, but take music purchases as an example: i can either say, buy all my music from iTunes like most Apple people do, or i can do what i do, which is source it from eMusic, Amazon MP3, directly from the artists, etc, all of which i am able to do from both my galaxy s or my xoom, and all of which i am able to do for less money than if i just bought everything from iTunes. oh and since the artists usually get a better deal if i avoid the iTunes store i know more of my money is going directly to them. same thing applies to app stores. its not really all that complicated, i mean, how lazy have we gotten if we can't be bothered to look for things on more than one app store?
as far as the drm deal where apps won't work without amazon appstore, i am not crazy about it, and if that is the case, i would definitely think twice before buying anything from them. maybe some content providers will insist on using amazon's system, but if the terms are that restrictive i'll just take my money elsewhere.

diaa08 said:
haha i don't want to get a back and forth going here, but really, just don't use the amazon app store and all will be ok. not to overblow the analogy, but two supermarkets usually carry 99% of the same things, doesn't mean you should get rid of one or preclude new ones from opening up.
i realize that apple people have their walled garden with their false sense of security and limited options, but take music purchases as an example: i can either say, buy all my music from iTunes like most Apple people do, or i can do what i do, which is source it from eMusic, Amazon MP3, directly from the artists, etc, all of which i am able to do from both my galaxy s or my xoom, and all of which i am able to do for less money than if i just bought everything from iTunes. oh and since the artists usually get a better deal if i avoid the iTunes store i know more of my money is going directly to them. same thing applies to app stores. its not really all that complicated, i mean, how lazy have we gotten if we can't be bothered to look for things on more than one app store?
as far as the drm deal where apps won't work without amazon appstore, i am not crazy about it, and if that is the case, i would definitely think twice before buying anything from them. maybe some content providers will insist on using amazon's system, but if the terms are that restrictive i'll just take my money elsewhere.
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Listen, I do not want back and forth either. I want to understand the reasoning behind having another place to get apps. If there is a restriction or process that does not work posting the same app to the Google market, what is it? Why is another market or appstore needed other than money to Amazon? I don't get it.

Why would developers choose to use the Amazon store over the Google Market? Can someone answer that please with specifics? Is this a takeover of the Google market?

keitht said:
Why would developers choose to use the Amazon store over the Google Market? Can someone answer that please with specifics?
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The only reason i could think of would be different methods of payment. What forms of payments do they both use? Actually another reason could be the amazon one may also allow "banned" software, as the market is run by google.

keitht said:
Why would developers choose to use the Amazon store over the Google Market? Can someone answer that please with specifics? Is this a takeover of the Google market?
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Right now? I do not know as I am not familiar with the policies of them both. However, as we have seen with the Apple App Store there have been many rules which have upset developers over time. Some of those are directly tied to how much money a developer can make off their app. For example, if Google were to mandate something similar to Apple's new subscription model I imagine many developers would like an alternative.
From a user perspective, having competing promotions like Amazon's free paid-app every day is nice

I agree that it can be a hassle to look for things in different stores but it is for the best. Its the universal rule of conservation if you will. The Amazon Appstore with bring competition to Google forcing google to step up its game if does not want to loose customers. For example Amazon will have a free paid app per day, maybe that will move google to do the same or top that. Amazon will test each app first to make sure it is not malicious and even though it will never be perfect maybe that will move google to do something similar. Amazon has worked out deals with developers in regards to the checkout process which may lead some developers that before only sold their apps from their own website to put them in the appstore (Gameloft). Also this has led some developers to drop their prices at the Amazon Appstore.
I understand not everyone thinks this is for the best or that its too much of a hassle but when you think of things from a perspective of growth and innovation it seems to be good.
In regards to the DRM content it is one of those things that are just tough to deal with sure we can try to avoid everything that has DRM but that is why Netflix and Hulu have not been supported thus far.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium App

I no longer have to pirate music!

There are hundreds of threads about the new Nexus devices today, but what caught my eye more than anything is this;
On November 13, we're bringing music on Google Play to Europe. Those of you in the U.K, France, Germany, Italy and Spain will be able to purchase music from the Google Play store and add up to 20,000 songs—for free—from your existing collection to the cloud for streaming to your Android devices or web browser. We’re also launching our new matching feature to streamline the process of uploading your personal music to Google Play.
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We Europeans also get a neat feature those in the US don't have (Yet);
We’ll scan your music collection and any song we match against the Google Play catalog will be automatically added to your online library without needing to upload it, saving you time. This will be available in Europe at launch on November 13 and is coming to the U.S. soon after. This will all be for free
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I will be honest, until this point I have been getting my Music from other sources but I no longer have an excuse. Thank you for all your hard work Google. I love you. <3

If only Canada would be added to the list...

M3drvr said:
If only Canada would be added to the list...
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Netherlands aswel
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

If only Australia could also be added...

I'm sympathetic for you guys, we've all waiting (except the states) and I am sure it will come with time. The most puzzling is as to why Canada doesn't have it yet. From my experiences they usually get things along with the USA.

I'm sure we'll all get it at some point in 2013.
Really, Google, if you ever read this - you kick ass. I can't wait for the Nexus 4.

CJHolderUK said:
I'm sympathetic for you guys, we've all waiting (except the states) and I am sure it will come with time. The most puzzling is as to why Canada doesn't have it yet. From my experiences they usually get things along with the USA.
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Ya I know. Cause we're all rich too according to prices we pay on cell services. We could definitely give some money for music and help out Google. I just don't understand it to be honest. Just like Google wallet too. We are 100% set up for nfc stuff. Everywhere I go I see pay pass as an option to pay, seriously, everywhere!

davidcampbell said:
If only Australia could also be added...
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I am desperately waiting for them to do this. I just can't buy a phone without either a micro SD slot (which Google has clearly no interest in) or at least 32gb onboard for music. Apart fromt he usual phone functions music is the main thing I use my phone for. It would be a massive downgrade for me to go from my Galaxy S with all my music on it to a brand new nexus and hardly enough space for my music. My data allowance per month is only 1.5 gig as well, so streaming might be out of the question even if they do release it here.

Usa ! Usa ! Usa !

I just use MOG here in Australia . Works fine on the Nexus 7 and I can download albums and stream them to a Creative Boombox or plug the Nexus into my car stereo.
I pay about $11a month for it but find it easily worth it. Plus it is quota free on downloads for me so I can stream or download as much as I want.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Whooo hoo! :victory:
I waited so long for this. Google gets better every day!
I hope I have in the future no regrets to bind me so close to Google...

I hope Google has as much music like amazon or Apple. If not, I'll still prefer amazon mp3.

Chromecast Apps: What's the holdup?

I keep checking around occasionally to see if my Chromecast will become useful today. I would have expected that only a few days after its release, the Google Play store would be filled with interesting Chromecast apps, and existing Android apps would be adding Chromecast features. As of today, the only apps capable of playing media on the Chromecast are still apps that it launched with. I've heard a bit about Koush's unreleased apps, which tells me that the holdup is Google themselves. What gives? Why are they doing this? Does anyone have any idea of when they will allow developers to release their apps? The way this Chromecast thing has played out so far seems very unlike Google, and is making me quite disappointed with them.

Waiting on Google to release the sdk out of beta. No timeline yet. It will come....
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

I think main reason for the release of the device was to bring Google Movies service to your big screen TV, the rest was just a bonus. Looks like due to lots of licensing issues, this will be a slow and painful process and I hope it doesn't become the next Apple TV that is barely useful without the jailbreak and XBMC on it.
I also hope someone turns the script from the other thread to a mobile app in a similar fashion to what Koush did.

The way I figure it:
If you were an early adopter, you get a Netflix, Youtube, Google Play and sort-of Chrome tab player for $35. If you got the Netflix 3 months code, then it cost you even less. Think back to the last time you bought a disappointing piece of technology that you had high hopes for... at least this one is cheap!
I'm sure the public SDK will happen when it's good and ready. I just think Google wants to have out some more examples of big-name apps that work really well with Chromecast, before they open the floodgates to all the rest of the devs.

cmstlist said:
Think back to the last time you bought a disappointing piece of technology that you had high hopes for... at least this one is cheap!
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That is true. It's just frustrating to own a capable device with artificial limitations.

Yea we should of known something was up when 3 months of netflix with the device at only $35. That tells me they knew the only content provider they had on board now was netflix. To keep most happy they can say "oh we pretty much gave you the device". Enjoy old movies for the next 6 months and we will slowly add content. Only way for Google to make money is to not let devs release their apps. Fortunately some will grow tired and root the device "again" and developers will create programs that function with beta sdk and your device ID that will enable apps to work as they choose. Only issue is we will never be able to receive content updates as that would patch root access. Kinda a lose lose situation. lol
Its cool dont get me wrong... To sit on the shelf and say i have 5 of them. But in know way fun to use if you already had your netflix and youtube experience. I recommend android stick mk808 or higher even a roku as they are very fun to tinker with.

I think before the 3 months of Netflix expire we'll at least see a few more big names come on board. Both developers and customers are beating down the door to get in.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

I can't help but to be pessimistic about all of this. How can a device with such a simple idea of casting not come out with the ability to cast images from your phone to the TV? It is an obvious omission that almost everyone wants and would have been a simple coding to get it working at launch.
Either way though, I must say I really love my Chromecast as-is, even though it does have these unnecessary artificial limitations.

AlexNC75 said:
I can't help but to be pessimistic about all of this. How can a device with such a simple idea of casting not come out with the ability to cast images from your phone to the TV? It is an obvious omission that almost everyone wants and would have been a simple coding to get it working at launch.
Either way though, I must say I really love my Chromecast as-is, even though it does have these unnecessary artificial limitations.
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Geez people! Have some freaking patients! The SDK is in beta and developers are not allowed to release apps yet. Do you really think they created an SDK to never release it? WTF! It's like a bunch of little kids in a candy store and their mom telling them they can't eat all their candy right away. The SDK WILL be released and people WILL create apps or add functionality to current apps...

Doctors have plenty of patients.
I'd bet the vast majority of purchasers will only ever use this for the 'sanctioned' apps that G itself gets behind. Picasa should have been included out the gate. When I hacked the mk808, it was one of the first things I wanted to do, get my photos up on the big screen. Maybe someday we'll see 'Chromecast-Ready' advertising, but I still wonder how G makes real bank on this product. It's saving grace so far is price and future potential.
edit: and the more I think about it, that future potential tends to circumvent G's interests.

While everyone has a conspiracy theory I think what we're seeing is a typical new product cycle. For a product like Chromecast to be successful Google needs as many apps to support it as possible. However, I'm sure after that app developers are reluctant to support a new hardware product until there are enough devices to warrant it. Look, Windows phone has millions of phones in use but app developers aren't going there. Yes, Chromecast doesn't require much from the app developer but using their precious resources costs money and they don't want to go there until the hardware was proving itself as something people wanted.
Hence Netflix. It was a seed product. An app many millions of people use. If they were on board it could help sell the product. And help it did. I believe the success of Chromecast caught Google off guard. Clearly they weren't able to handle the demand for hardware and the demand by app developers to get things into the Play Store. While they may have thought they'd have until Holiday season to get things rolling, it has been accelerated greatly.
I expect that the next run of the hardware will be bigger and longer. I work for a company that has products made in China. It can take 6 weeks just to get on the schedule of a manufacturer and then many weeks to produce and then 3 weeks to come across the water and go through customs, then another 2 weeks to get into the channel. That's months. Google has more money to throw at the manufacturer to speed things up but there may not be too many suppliers that can make this product.
Time is what is needed. By the end of the year we'll know a lot more. Be patient.

Google blocks Chromecast apps that let you stream your own videos

Google blocks Chromecast app that let you stream your own videos...
"Google hasn't provided a clear answer on whether Chromecast will eventually let users stream their own local videos and music to the TV screen. But if early updates for the $35 dongle are any indication, the company doesn't want third-party developers trying to deliver that functionality. The most recent Chromecast update has broken support for AllCast, an Android application that previously allowed users to stream their personal media to a TV. AllCast (also known as AirCast thanks to a trademark dispute) could play back files stored in a phone's gallery, Dropbox, or Google Drive. Developer Koushik Dutta accomplished the feat by reverse engineering the Chromecast's code. He'd released several betas of the app, even planning a release on Google Play, before Google's latest software update broke things — "intentionally" in Dutta's opinion."
Read more...
http://www.theverge.com/2013/8/25/4...chromecast-app-that-let-you-stream-own-videos
They blocked these two apps so far:
https://plus.google.com/110558071969009568835/posts/G3jF2JynLc2
https://plus.google.com/117916055521642810655/posts/23BrB267QHJ
Let Google know exactly how you feel about this issue. If you're not happy downgrade and comment on their official Chromecast app.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.chromecast.app&hl=en

xuser said:
They blocked these two apps so far:
https://plus.google.com/110558071969009568835/posts/G3jF2JynLc2
https://plus.google.com/117916055521642810655/posts/23BrB267QHJ
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Those apps were never approved and on the app whitelist. ALL apps are blocked by default. Only approved apps will run on the Chromecast. What those apps were doing was reverse engineering the Chromecast and using a hack to get around it. Google fixed that hack.

New names for Chromecast:
iCast
Castrate
ClosedCast
CastOff
OutCast

Sucks that now only YouTube and Netflix are the only things that'll play. Enjoyed the ability to play local media.

xuser said:
New names for Chromecast:
iCast
Castrate
ClosedCast
CastOff
OutCast
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Click to collapse
I'm calling mine Ebaycast.
I've got a Roku3 that does everything I need..

Very disappointing! I was at a friend's home and he was showing off mirroring his iclone through Apple tv. Was hoping Chromecast would top that.
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app

After getting Aircast and fling to work, I ordered 2 more Chromecast dongles. Just cancelled them.
Hopefully Google is just temp blocking until ready to officially supporti 3rd party apps. If not, back to Roku.

I don't know if anyone else noticed but casting a local video file from a chrome browser tab actually plays smoother now. But aircast provided the easiest way to cast a video file from an Android phone.

After getting Aircast and fling to work, I ordered 2 more Chromecast dongles. Just cancelled them.
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I have no interest in buying another Chromecast until this gets sorted out either.

So everyone is disappointed that it doesn't do something they never said it would? A lot to do about nothing if you ask me.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app

So everyone is disappointed that it doesn't do something they never said it would? A lot to do about nothing if you ask me
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Mostly because it was more useful when AllCast and Fling worked. Kind of back in the ballpark with Google TV now in that it doesn't do a lot (for me anyway). Nothing more, nothing less.

Disappointed
akellar said:
So everyone is disappointed that it doesn't do something they never said it would? A lot to do about nothing if you ask me.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
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I'd say we are disappointed because it appears Google is intent on heading off the kind of innovation and creativity that has made the Android platform so wonderful. Google should let developers do what they do best: reverse engineer, hack and create, to turn Chromecast into the most powerful and versatile device it can be. They should let people root the device, they should let people work around the limits.
The disappointment is more that this is a sign that Google is not interested in fostering a creative, innovative developer community for Android. The disappointment is more that Google seems so short sighted in thinking they need to lock everything down. I thought they knew that a large part of the appeal of the platform has always been how open it is.

akellar said:
So everyone is disappointed that it doesn't do something they never said it would? A lot to do about nothing if you ask me.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
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It may never have been announced to be able to do it, but to most it was obvious that the device was capable of doing it and that with dev support a lot was possible. It is disappointing to see how restrictive Google is being in taking away support for a function that the chromecast can handle. That being said, there will always be a way to accomplish this, it is just a matter of how inconvenient Google is going to make it.

While Google is within their own rights to change parts of the software that was never intended to be used for 3rd party, it's a massive mistake for Google to do this just to kill off those 3rd party apps. There must be a good reason for it and Google should make a public announcement as to why. There's probably a good % of sales of Chromecast specifically because of the functionality AirCast gave. I was going to buy a ChromeCast only because of the functionality AirCast gave but without this, a ChromeCast is useless for me.
I won't be buying until this functionality is officially supported or Google provides an official API/support for 3rd party applications that do provide this functionality.
Such a shame as Google had some much promise behind this product but that seems to have disappeared.

Hey
Just discovered an app that streams local content to any dnla player - wiTV. It offers mostly russian online contant but.. It also offers streaming local content from all of your devices including apple pc and Android. It creates a dnla local server on mobile devices and you can launch local media playback and scroll through it on the mobile device plays well on my old asus oplay r3 and samsung tv
Have fun and screw u Google! I can't believe i paid $100 to buy junk
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda app-developers app

jamosjamos said:
I'd say we are disappointed because it appears Google is intent on heading off the kind of innovation and creativity that has made the Android platform so wonderful. Google should let developers do what they do best: reverse engineer, hack and create, to turn Chromecast into the most powerful and versatile device it can be. They should let people root the device, they should let people work around the limits.
The disappointment is more that this is a sign that Google is not interested in fostering a creative, innovative developer community for Android. The disappointment is more that Google seems so short sighted in thinking they need to lock everything down. I thought they knew that a large part of the appeal of the platform has always been how open it is.
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The SDK isn't final. And in this case the developer hacked around one of the most essential parts (the app whitelist). No offense, but I don't want Netflix, HBO, etc to pull their content off the Chromecast so Google can let hackers design apps to stream content from my phone in a non-standard way that was never intented. How about we all wait until the SDK is final before judging Google. All they did was fix a security hole in the device.

Techno79 said:
While Google is within their own rights to change parts of the software that was never intended to be used for 3rd party, it's a massive mistake for Google to do this just to kill off those 3rd party apps. There must be a good reason for it and Google should make a public announcement as to why. There's probably a good % of sales of Chromecast specifically because of the functionality AirCast gave. I was going to buy a ChromeCast only because of the functionality AirCast gave but without this, a ChromeCast is useless for me.
I won't be buying until this functionality is officially supported or Google provides an official API/support for 3rd party applications that do provide this functionality.
Such a shame as Google had some much promise behind this product but that seems to have disappeared.
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I agree.
I purchased the ChromeCast only for the purpose of wireless playing movies from my laptop to my HDTV. I currently use a HDMI cable, but thought wireless would be ideal.
I never use Netflix.
I never use Utube.
I wasted $35 plus shipping, because google refuses to allow me to use the hardware I purchased the way I want to.
It just arrived a few days ago, and I can root it.
But I don't think rooting it will help.
It's just a paperweight now.
Maybe I can return it to Google for a full refund?

ddiehl said:
I'm calling mine Ebaycast.
I've got a Roku3 that does everything I need..
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Yeah, I just love DLNA support on my Roku3.

jamosjamos said:
I'd say we are disappointed because it appears Google is intent on heading off the kind of innovation and creativity that has made the Android platform so wonderful. Google should let developers do what they do best: reverse engineer, hack and create, to turn Chromecast into the most powerful and versatile device it can be. They should let people root the device, they should let people work around the limits.
The disappointment is more that this is a sign that Google is not interested in fostering a creative, innovative developer community for Android. The disappointment is more that Google seems so short sighted in thinking they need to lock everything down. I thought they knew that a large part of the appeal of the platform has always been how open it is.
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I hope you sent this as feedback, very well put. The corporate device manufacture, including Google has benefited from free private development. A lot of the features that come on devices today started with the devs witch in turn busted sales from their innovation and put android where it is today.
Sent from my EVO using xda app-developers app

I don't under stand what the problem was. I mean, I was just using AllCast to watch videos of my kids on the TV. I'm not willing to spend time to upload videos to YouTube just to do that (nevermind privacy concerns and the fact the world doesn't care about my kid doing backflips off the couch).
I already have an HTPC for media playback, there's only personal content on my phone.
This was probably disabled because it wasn't using the actual SDK and was more of a hack. Was neat while it lasted.

Pretty much useless

I bought chromecast the day it came out from best buy. Since then I have used it maybe 3 times. It was more of an impulse buy since most Google stuff is awesome.
The fact that I can only use this with Netflix or YouTube is bs. Trying to get local vids to play through chrome browser is hit or miss. Most of the time it just downloads whatever movie I try to play. If I want to watch a local vid from the comp I just turn on the Xbox.
Hopefully Google gets their stuff together and let's ppl stream from the phone to the tv, then I would use it. Until then it will remain plugged into my TV taking up an HDMI port until I need to plug in something that I will use or until Google adds more functionality. And Netflix streaming sucks. Kinda a crappy "bonus" if u ask me.

Not useless, but my excitement has waned significantly. Google seems to be following the GoogleTV mode on this device too, which means we most likely won't ever see it reach its potential, for a myriad of political and monetary reasons. My similarly priced Rockchip MK808 GTV stick has lots of capabilities, but I did have to buy a control point (Lenovo N5902) and it is a bit more fiddly than Chromecast, but the power and capability makes it worth it.

What's with the incessant whining? The product has only been out for less than a month, it's still getting into customers' hands and its development is in progress. The product's capabilities were clear when you bought it (Netflix, YouTube, Google Play and Chrome tab streaming). Wait for progress or return it and save us the drama.

If you want to see what incessant whining looks like, please visit any Logitech Revue GTV forum...
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

I see a lot of people complaining that this device only does what google said it would do. I don't understand this. When the SDK is officially released and apps start appearing then you will get extra functionality but until then don't complain that you can do exactly what was advertised.

I agree, chromecast is pretty much useless.
Casting from a Chrome browser tab gives me a low quality picture.
I'm back to using hdmi cable.
It will gather dust until someday Google permits Fling to function again.
Or maybe until the next garage sale?
Regards

I'm pretty happy with it so far. Netflix support is great and Play Movies is (in my opinion) the best place to purchase digital movies. Really the only thing it's missing for me is playing *ahem* acquired movies.

I am happy with it so far.
I have never been a big youtube user because i don't like to sit at the computer and watch videos. Chromcasting youtube has been a ton of fun for me over the past couple of weeks. I find it a little easier than using youtube in the browser on my htpc with the keyboard. I experience less eyestrain looking at the tablet in my hands than trying to navigate youtube the screen 10+ feet away.
...but hoping the pace of new casting enabled apps picks up.

HowardZ said:
I agree, chromecast is pretty much useless.
Casting from a Chrome browser tab gives me a low quality picture.
I'm back to using hdmi cable.
It will gather dust until someday Google permits Fling to function again.
Or maybe until the next garage sale?
Regards
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Thats funny since the app you loved so much uses the same video compress as the chrome browser. I cant beleive anyone is happy flinging <480p video(as far as i know the 500px width is about the highest quality webm video they've gotten to go to the chromecast. Its a neat tool but not practical for transcoding hidef video(or even dvd)

I agree with the current lack of usability. Hopefully new functions will appear soon.

It does what Google said it would do. More functionality hopefully will come and should come. But I use Chromecast daily for watching Breaking Bad and YouTube for my son
Sent from my CLEAN Note II

I got mine about a week ago ir less after being on backorder for 4 weeks. I too HOPE we get more functionality from it soon/in time. BUT it has been nice to have for me for the price. My living room big tv has directCRAPtv connected to it which is okay but no other real devices except dvd player and vhs bel8eve it or not (which hardly ever get used).
So for the price it cost $42 shipped even with netflix it is worth thst little money. We have 3 roku's connected in three other rooms with netflix already, Hulu+ and they cost what about 3 times as much and dont do much more than this.
Since we have already seen some PREVIEW apps that shows what it CAN DO I know in time it will have more usage available. Hell I remember when the google market didnt have many apps with my first android device. I kept seeing comparisons (as stupid as they were) about iCrap having way mire apps available. Some things like this Chromecast start off slowly but I bet most apps worth streaming will work soon enough. So for the price I paid I can wait a while for the functionality I want.
I am an adult and have some patience. We have already seen Google response to the local streaming content. So I know in time it will come. So no worries. I probabky wont buy another 1 or more until it has the functionality/apps ready. But for the price and features already it is worth it. I rather watch the netflix on the 72" screen than my rooms 3w inch screens, let alone my tab or phone. Do I watch it on the other devices? Yes. So I feel the difference in the big screen...
Sent from My Spiderman Themed I337

wideasleep1 said:
If you want to see what incessant whining looks like, please visit any Logitech Revue GTV forum...
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No offense to you but a good amount of that "incessant whining" is highly justified. Logitech pretty much has left us with a device that is buggy beyond belief. If I can't do simple stuff like YouTube without having to reformat it every other day then it's a fail in my opinion. Aw well once I can get my hands on the MiniX Neo X7 then I'm done with the Revue once and for all.

AngryManMLS said:
No offense to you but a good amount of that "incessant whining" is highly justified. Logitech pretty much has left us with a device that is buggy beyond belief. If I can't do simple stuff like YouTube without having to reformat it every other day then it's a fail in my opinion. Aw well once I can get my hands on the MiniX Neo X7 then I'm done with the Revue once and for all.
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Click to collapse
None taken...I felt your pain for a few weeks before throwing in the towel on that product (ow, the pain of early adopter). My point is that we've 'been here before' with some Google widget that fell short of its promise, owing to a too-early, 'not ready for prime-time player' (nod to the SNL oldsters out there) and disorganised messages about updates and direction of development. If they're hunkering down in attempt to curry favor with big media companies (learned a lesson from GTV?), we're in for a long wait, and likely a hampered SDK, Still, I like what I've seen from these third-party devs (Bubble, ALL/Air, etc.), and hope we see a quick release and uptick on 'indie' dev that doesn't necessarily promote Google's own agenda.
edit: I'm curious why you prefer the Minix X7 over a recent MK Rockchip stick?

What is useless is this thread. Please remember this is a developers forum and not a complaint site. Unless you have something that contributes to development do not create threads.
Thread closed