Business
Three Reasons Why Canadians Should Get Google Chromecast
[caption id="attachment_81743" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Google Chromecast Available In Canada Today Through Amazon.ca[/caption]Google Brings Chromecast to Canada
Today, Wednesday, March 19, Canadian television viewers received the opportunity to stream high-definition audio and video from HBO Go, HuluPlus, Netflix, Vevo, Viki, YouTube and other popular sites via Google's Chromecast digital video player.
Although Chromecast has been in the United States since July 2013, Google tested the product in other markets before bringing it to Canada and 10 other countries, including Germany, France, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Italy and Spain. The release was also timed to be before Roku's launch of its competitive HDMI Streaming Stick in April.
Unlike Roku's Streaming Stick and remote control though, the 2.8-inch Wi-Fi Chromecast doesn't come with a remote. Users plug it into their HDMI ports and USB or socket power sources. They then access apps and sites through Chrome and control volume and playback through their computers, tablets or phones.
Besides access to well-known audio and video services, Chromecast also gives Canadians access to custom content created by an increasing number of private developers via Google's software development kit. According to Google, over 3,000 programmers signed up for the kit in less than a month.
Chromecast also offers a beta stage Chrome feature that allows users to control the entire browser interface from their devices and access content on Chrome tabs. Eventually, Google hopes to bring other services, including movies and television shows offered through local audio/video content providers.
Unlike last year, Chromecast is not packaged with three free months of Netflix. Google believed the extra incentive was unnecessary although it did help sales when the device sold out quickly in 2013.
So far today, the company has been right. Amazon's electronics division has released news that it is a bestseller today.
Canadians interested in Chromecast can purchase it for $39 through Google Play and Amazon.ca
- Output: HDMI, CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) compatible
- Max. Output Video Resolution: 1080p
- Dimensions: 72(L) x 35(W) x 12(H) mm
- Weight: 34g
- Wireless Standards: 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi (802.11n 2.4GHz only)
- Wireless Security: WEP, WPA/WPA2
- Power: USB (USB cable and power adapter included)
- Plugs into TV directly and powered from TVs USB port or wall outlet
Supported Operating Systems:
- Android 2.3 and higher
- iOS 6.0 and higher
- Windows 7 and higher
- Mac OS 10.7 and higher
- Chrome OS (on a Chromebook running Chrome 28 & higher)
Over the Air Updates: When available, Chromecast will automatically update to the latest and greatest Chromecast software version.
On The Web:
Google Chromecast finally comes to Canada
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/google-chromecast-finally-comes-to-canada-1.2578416
Google's Chromecast finally coming to Canada
http://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/google-s-chromecast-finally-coming-to-canada-1.1735931
Google brings Chromecast platform to additional 11 countries
http://www.telecompaper.com/news/google-brings-chromecast-platform-to-additional-11-countries--1003016
Google Chromecast comes to Canada, undercuts Roku’s Streaming Stick
http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/personal-tech/Google+Chromecast+comes+Canada+undercuts+Roku/9636420/story.html
