How Chromecast fundamentally changed how my family watches TV

LostRemote.com ^ | September 3, 2013 | Cory Bergman

[InterceptPoint]

I don’t think Chromecast will fail from Googles point of view. They want to drive people to YouTube and Chromecat does that.

But look at today’s Smart TVs. That can do what Chromecast can do but most if not all require the use of a wireless keyboard to really be efficient. Not too many folks are going to do that.

So what will happen to Chromecast as we go forward? My prediction:

Short run: a huge success. At least 10s of millions sold.

Long run: Smart TVs wiil start working with your iPad or IPhone and do exactly want the Chromecast does now. That should be no more than a tear or two away.

[Interesting Times]

We have a Roku, which does the same thing. But Roku doesn't offer YouTube. I'd love to watch YouTube concert footage on the telly. And for $35, what do you have to lose?

If you have a smartphone, you can play Youtube videos on TV via Roku using a free app called "Twonky Beam."

[InABunkerUnderSF]

If you haven't given Google access to your home WiFi router yet, Chromecast is yet another way for you to do so.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3066707/posts

[SoFloFreeper]

Any chance of starting a Free Republic channel on YouTube?

[InterceptPoint]

I hope Jim answers this. FR needs a YouTube channel.

[Wiggins]

I’m still using the original Roku box and love it. One of these days I’m going to bite the bullet and upgrade to the Roku 3.

[Drawsing]

Kill Your TV. Go outside and play! :)

Is there an app for that?

[saminfl]

I have been with Directv since 1998. There were several shows my wife liked to watch and we would DVR them then FF through the commercials. Most of the shows she liked, didn’t really appeal to me but I watched them with her. She passed away May 30 and there are only a couple of shows I like to watch now. I would like to drop Directv but I would still like to watch Blue Bloods and Longmire and college football. I know I can get old movies from Netflix or Amazon so I don’t worry about that, but how do I get the two shows and college football?

[InterceptPoint]

I checked this out. Not quite as slick as Chromecast and the setup is a little more complicated but functionally there is little difference. One would think that Roku would provide their own app and be pushing this given the hit they are likely to take from their new competition.

[Skooz]

I had DirecTV for about 15 years. This past February 17, I turned it off as part of a 40 day fast (DirecTV allows customers to suspend service up to 6 months a year).

After 40 days, I found I didn’t miss it a bit, and suspended my service until August 17. When my suspension time ended, I called them and cancelled my service permanently.

Do not miss TV a bit.

Now, I still have Netflix and Amazon Prime streaming. But, I never watch them unless my daughter is here and we watch something together (streamed Tangled last night).

Life’s too short and there is too much else to do.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

LOL!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Sounds perfect. :)

[sheana]

I did the same thing awhile back. There is so much free stuff online there is absolutely no reason to pay for anything. I have even seen all the hit movies that are still in the theaters....online free.

[goodwithagun]

Thanks! I’m not tech savvy at all!

[Wurlitzer]

Given those channel numbers are you in Western NY?

[knarf]

Ancient Boston..

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Now google will know everything you are watching.

[dfwgator]

2000 Channels and still there’s nothing on.

[dfwgator]

In Googleland TV watches you.

[InterceptPoint]

Now google will know everything you are watching.
++++++++
And this is the worst part - they will forward that data to NSA and the next thing you know Valerie Jarrett will know what I’m watching!