Google's Chromecast is now officially on sale in Europe.
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)
Google is unleashing its Chromecast video streamer in Europe today, nearly eight months after it debuted in the US. Costing just £30 ($50) in the UK or 35 euros elsewhere, it's cheaper than its competitors such as Apple TV or the Roku Streaming Stick, although currently there's less to view in Europe.
The 2-inch dongle plugs straight into an HDMI port on a TV and streams video from YouTube and Netflix along with Google's own music and movie services. In the UK, it will also support the BBC's iPlayer.
For the services it supports natively, the Chromecast can pull content directly from the cloud rather than going via a laptop or tablet. It can also mirror what you're watching on a computer on the TV, although in CNET's review of the US Chromecast, Matthew Moskovciak found that reduced video quality. When streaming directly from the cloud, our review noted the picture looked good.
-Related stories:-
· Simple design, lofty goals: Chromecast prepares for the global stage
· Google opens Chromecast to all developers
· Roku Streaming Stick hands-on
Some super-keen people have managed to import Chromecasts from online shops, but today is the official launch of the product in Europe.
In February, Google opened up the Chromecast to all developers with the release of a software development kit designed to help phone and tablet apps work on the TV. The company has previously said that 3,000 developers have signed up for this, and has high hopes for gaming in particular.
The full list of countries the Chromecast will also show up in from today is: the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.
*Related Links:*
Following Google and Roku, Amazon plans a TV dongle?
Now with Streaming Stick, Roku isn't sweating the blitz
Amazon's video streaming device debuting in April?
Roku Streaming Stick vs. Google Chromecast: How do they stack up?
Vevo's viewership jumps on TV-like tactics
Reported by CNET News.com 3 hours ago.
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)
Google is unleashing its Chromecast video streamer in Europe today, nearly eight months after it debuted in the US. Costing just £30 ($50) in the UK or 35 euros elsewhere, it's cheaper than its competitors such as Apple TV or the Roku Streaming Stick, although currently there's less to view in Europe.
The 2-inch dongle plugs straight into an HDMI port on a TV and streams video from YouTube and Netflix along with Google's own music and movie services. In the UK, it will also support the BBC's iPlayer.
For the services it supports natively, the Chromecast can pull content directly from the cloud rather than going via a laptop or tablet. It can also mirror what you're watching on a computer on the TV, although in CNET's review of the US Chromecast, Matthew Moskovciak found that reduced video quality. When streaming directly from the cloud, our review noted the picture looked good.
-Related stories:-
· Simple design, lofty goals: Chromecast prepares for the global stage
· Google opens Chromecast to all developers
· Roku Streaming Stick hands-on
Some super-keen people have managed to import Chromecasts from online shops, but today is the official launch of the product in Europe.
In February, Google opened up the Chromecast to all developers with the release of a software development kit designed to help phone and tablet apps work on the TV. The company has previously said that 3,000 developers have signed up for this, and has high hopes for gaming in particular.
The full list of countries the Chromecast will also show up in from today is: the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.
*Related Links:*
Following Google and Roku, Amazon plans a TV dongle?
Now with Streaming Stick, Roku isn't sweating the blitz
Amazon's video streaming device debuting in April?
Roku Streaming Stick vs. Google Chromecast: How do they stack up?
Vevo's viewership jumps on TV-like tactics
Reported by CNET News.com 3 hours ago.