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{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox protocol
{{Infobox protocol
| image = Google Cast wordmark.svg
| image = File:Google Cast wordmark (new).png
| alt =
| alt =
| caption =
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| developer = [[Google]]
| developer = [[Google]]
| introdate = {{Start date and age|2013|07|24}}
| introdate = {{Start date and age|2013|07|24}}
| industry = <!--industries used (such as PC/Chemical/Multimedia)-->
| industry = [[Streaming media]]
| connector = <!--connector(s) usable with protocol-->
| connector = <!--connector(s) usable with protocol-->
| hardware = <!--examples of compatible hardware-->
| hardware = <!--examples of compatible hardware-->
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'''Google Cast''' is a [[proprietary protocol]] developed by [[Google]] for playing Internet-[[Streaming media|streamed]] [[audiovisual]] content on a compatible consumer device. The protocol is used to initiate and control playback of content on [[digital media player]]s, [[high-definition television]]s, and [[home audio]] systems using a [[mobile device]], [[personal computer]], or [[smart speaker]]. The protocol was first launched on July 24, 2013, to support Google's first-generation [[Chromecast]] player.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Google Launches the $35 Chromecast Streaming Device to Bring Chrome to the Living Room |url=https://social.techcrunch.com/2013/07/24/google-chromecast/ |access-date=October 21, 2020 |website=TechCrunch }}</ref> The Google Cast [[Software development kit|SDK]] was released on February 3, 2014, allowing third parties to modify their software to support the protocol.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Protalinski |first=Emil |date=February 3, 2014 |title=Google Opens Up Chromecast to Developers, Releases Cast SDK |url=https://thenextweb.com/google/2014/02/03/google-opens-chromecast-developers-releases-cast-software-development-kit-apps-websites/ |access-date=October 21, 2020 |website=The Next Web }}</ref> According to Google, over 20,000 Google Cast-ready apps were available as of May 2015. Support for Google Cast has since been integrated into subsequent devices, such as the [[Nexus Player]] and other [[Android TV]] devices (such as televisions), as well as [[soundbar]]s, speakers, and later models of the Chromecast. Consumer devices that natively support the protocol are marketed as '''Chromecast built-in'''.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/2016/digital/news/google-cast-becoming-chromecast-1201925162/ |title=Google Quietly Phases Out 'Google Cast' Branding for TVs, Speakers |last=Roettgers |first=Janko |date=November 23, 2016 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=November 23, 2016 }}</ref> {{As of|2017|10|post=,}} over 55 million Chromecasts and Chromecast built-in devices have been sold.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.androidcentral.com/google-has-sold-55-million-chromecasts-around-world |title=Google has sold 55 million Chromecasts around the world |website=Android Central |publisher=Mobile Nations |first=Harish |last=Jonnalagadda |date=October 4, 2017 |access-date=October 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005101127/https://www.androidcentral.com/google-has-sold-55-million-chromecasts-around-world |archive-date=October 5, 2017 }}</ref>
'''Google Cast''' is a [[proprietary protocol]] developed by [[Google]] for playing locally stored or Internet-[[Streaming media|streamed]] [[audiovisual]] content on a compatible consumer device. The protocol is used to initiate and control playback of content on [[digital media player]]s, [[high-definition television]]s, and [[home audio]] systems using a [[mobile device]], [[personal computer]], or [[smart speaker]]. The protocol was first launched on July 24, 2013, to support Google's first-generation [[Chromecast]] player.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Google Launches the $35 Chromecast Streaming Device to Bring Chrome to the Living Room |url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/07/24/google-chromecast/ |access-date=October 21, 2020 |website=TechCrunch |archive-date=October 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025140000/https://techcrunch.com/2013/07/24/google-chromecast/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The Google Cast [[Software development kit|SDK]] was released on February 3, 2014, allowing third parties to modify their software to support the protocol.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Protalinski |first=Emil |date=February 3, 2014 |title=Google Opens Up Chromecast to Developers, Releases Cast SDK |url=https://thenextweb.com/google/2014/02/03/google-opens-chromecast-developers-releases-cast-software-development-kit-apps-websites/ |access-date=October 21, 2020 |website=The Next Web }}</ref> According to Google, over 20,000 Google Cast-ready apps were available as of May 2015. Support for Google Cast has since been integrated into subsequent devices, such as the [[Nexus Player]] and other [[Android TV]] devices (such as televisions), as well as [[soundbar]]s, speakers, and later models of the Chromecast. Consumer devices that natively support the protocol were marketed as '''Chromecast built-in''' from 2016<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/2016/digital/news/google-cast-becoming-chromecast-1201925162/ |title=Google Quietly Phases Out 'Google Cast' Branding for TVs, Speakers |last=Roettgers |first=Janko |date=November 23, 2016 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=November 23, 2016 }}</ref> to 2024, after which the branding reverted back to the Google Cast name.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://9to5google.com/2024/05/26/google-cast-chromecast-built-in/|title='Google Cast' is replacing the 'Chromecast built-in'|website=[[9to5Google]]|first=Abner|last=Li|date=May 26, 2024|access-date=August 15, 2024}}</reF> {{As of|2017|10|post=,}} over 55 million Google Cast-enabled devices have been sold.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.androidcentral.com/google-has-sold-55-million-chromecasts-around-world |title=Google has sold 55 million Chromecasts around the world |website=Android Central |publisher=Mobile Nations |first=Harish |last=Jonnalagadda |date=October 4, 2017 |access-date=October 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005101127/https://www.androidcentral.com/google-has-sold-55-million-chromecasts-around-world |archive-date=October 5, 2017 }}</ref>


==Operation==
==Operation==
Google Cast receivers can stream content via two methods: the first employs [[Mobile app|mobile]] and [[web apps]] that support the Google Cast technology; the second allows mirroring of content from the web browser [[Google Chrome]] running on a personal computer, as well as content displayed on some [[Android (operating system)|Android]] devices.<ref name=SydneyMornHerald>{{cite news|last1=Turner|first1=Adam|title=Hands on: Chromecast Android screen mirroring|url=https://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/computers/gadgets-on-the-go/hands-on-chromecast-android-screen-mirroring-20140713-zt68u.html|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=July 14, 2014}}</ref> In both cases, playback is initiated through the "cast" button on the sender device.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/advice/10744999/Should-I-buy-Google-Chromecast.html |title=Should I buy Google Chromecast? |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |publisher=[[Telegraph Media Group]] |first=Rick |last=Maybury |date=April 5, 2014 |access-date=July 3, 2014 }}</ref>
Google Cast receivers can stream content via two methods: the first employs [[Mobile app|mobile]] and [[web apps]] that support the Google Cast technology; the second allows mirroring of content from the web browser [[Google Chrome]] running on a personal computer, as well as content displayed on some [[Android (operating system)|Android]] devices.<ref name=SydneyMornHerald>{{cite news|last1=Turner|first1=Adam|title=Hands on: Chromecast Android screen mirroring|url=https://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/computers/gadgets-on-the-go/hands-on-chromecast-android-screen-mirroring-20140713-zt68u.html|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=July 14, 2014}}</ref> In both cases, playback is initiated through the "cast" button on the sender device.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/advice/10744999/Should-I-buy-Google-Chromecast.html |title=Should I buy Google Chromecast? |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |publisher=[[Telegraph Media Group]] |first=Rick |last=Maybury |date=April 5, 2014 |access-date=July 3, 2014 }}</ref>


* The primary method of playing media on the device is through Google Cast–enabled mobile and web apps, which control program selection, playback, and volume. Google Cast receiver devices stream the media from the web within a local version of the Chrome browser,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fastcolabs.com/3014797/wow-googles-chromecast-is-amazingly-hackable|title=Wow! Google's Chromecast Is Amazingly Hackable |work=Co.Labs |publisher=[[Fast Company (magazine)|Fast Company]] |first=Gabe |last=Stein |date=July 24, 2013 |access-date=January 9, 2014 }}</ref> thus freeing the sender device up for other tasks, such as answering a call or using another application, without disrupting playback. Mobile apps enabled for Google Cast are available for both [[Android (operating system)|Android]] [[Android Jelly Bean|4.1+]] and [[iOS]] [[iOS 7|7.0+]]; web apps enabled for Google Cast are available on computers running Google Chrome version 72 or later (on [[Microsoft Windows]] [[Windows 7|7+]], [[macOS]] [[Mac OS X Lion|10.7+]], and [[ChromeOS]]) through the installation of the "Cast [[Google Chrome Extensions|extension]]" in the browser.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://support.google.com/chromecast/answer/3046409?hl=en&ref_topic=3058948 |title=Get Started with Chromecast: What's under the Hood? |website=Chromecast Help |publisher=Google |access-date=August 7, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/7/24/4552204/google-reveals-chromecast-tv-streaming |title=Google Reveals Chromecast: Video Streaming to Your TV from Any Device for $35 |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |first=Adi |last=Robertson |date=July 24, 2013 |access-date=September 19, 2013 }}</ref> Streamed content can be Internet-based, as provided by specific apps, or reside on the sender device's local storage.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/10/1/9433121/google-photos-android-chromecast-support-now-available |title=Google Photos for Android Now Works with Chromecast |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |first=Chris |last=Welch |date=October 1, 2015 |access-date=October 8, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://appadvice.com/appnn/2015/12/google-updates-photos-and-wallet-apps-for-ios-with-new-features |title=Google Updates Photos and Wallet Apps for iOS with New Features |website=AppAdvice |first=Aldrin |last=Calimlim |date=December 11, 2015 |access-date=January 1, 2016 }}</ref>
* The primary method of playing media on the device is through Google Cast–enabled mobile and web apps, which control program selection, playback, and volume. Google Cast receiver devices stream the media from the web within a local version of the Chrome browser,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fastcolabs.com/3014797/wow-googles-chromecast-is-amazingly-hackable|title=Wow! Google's Chromecast Is Amazingly Hackable |work=Co.Labs |publisher=[[Fast Company (magazine)|Fast Company]] |first=Gabe |last=Stein |date=July 24, 2013 |access-date=January 9, 2014 }}</ref> thus freeing the sender device up for other tasks, such as answering a call or using another application, without disrupting playback. Mobile apps enabled for Google Cast are available for both [[Android (operating system)|Android]] [[Android Jelly Bean|4.1+]] and [[iOS]] [[iOS 7|7.0+]]; web apps enabled for Google Cast are available on computers running Google Chrome version 72 or later (on [[Microsoft Windows]] [[Windows 7|7+]], [[macOS]] [[Mac OS X Lion|10.7+]], and [[ChromeOS]]) through the installation of the "Cast [[Google Chrome Extensions|extension]]" in the browser.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://support.google.com/chromecast/answer/3046409?hl=en&ref_topic=3058948 |title=Get Started with Chromecast: What's under the Hood? |website=Chromecast Help |publisher=Google Inc. |access-date=August 7, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/7/24/4552204/google-reveals-chromecast-tv-streaming |title=Google Reveals Chromecast: Video Streaming to Your TV from Any Device for $35 |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |first=Adi |last=Robertson |date=July 24, 2013 |access-date=September 19, 2013 }}</ref> Streamed content can be Internet-based, as provided by specific apps, or reside on the sender device's local storage.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/10/1/9433121/google-photos-android-chromecast-support-now-available |title=Google Photos for Android Now Works with Chromecast |website=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |first=Chris |last=Welch |date=October 1, 2015 |access-date=October 8, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://appadvice.com/appnn/2015/12/google-updates-photos-and-wallet-apps-for-ios-with-new-features |title=Google Updates Photos and Wallet Apps for iOS with New Features |website=AppAdvice |first=Aldrin |last=Calimlim |date=December 11, 2015 |access-date=January 1, 2016 }}</ref>
* Content can also be mirrored from a [[Tab (GUI)|tab]] of the Chrome browser (with the Cast extension) on a personal computer or from the screen of some Android 4.4+ devices. In the case of "tab casting", the quality of the image depends on the processing power of the device, and minimum system requirements apply to video streaming. Content that uses [[plug-in (computing)|plug-ins]], such as [[Silverlight]] and [[QuickTime]], does not fully work, as the stream may lack sound or image.<ref name="Google help: tab casting">{{cite web|title=Cast from Chrome to your TV: Casting a Tab|url=https://support.google.com/chromecast/answer/3228332?hl=en|work=support.google.com|publisher=Google |access-date=September 24, 2013}}</ref><ref name=MinSystemReqs>{{cite web|url=https://support.google.com/chromecast/answer/3209990?hl=en|title=Cast from Chrome to your TV: Minimum System Requirements|work=support.google.com|publisher=Google |access-date=August 30, 2013}}</ref> Similarly, screen images mirrored from Android devices are typically degraded, reflecting the fact that video displayed on the smaller screens of tablets and smartphones is usually downscaled.<ref name="SydneyMornHerald" />
* Content can also be mirrored from a [[Tab (GUI)|tab]] of the Chrome browser (with the Cast extension) on a personal computer or from the screen of some Android 4.4+ devices. In the case of "tab casting", the quality of the image depends on the processing power of the device, and minimum system requirements apply to video streaming. Content that uses [[plug-in (computing)|plug-ins]], such as [[Silverlight]] and [[QuickTime]], does not fully work, as the stream may lack sound or image.<ref name="Google help: tab casting">{{cite web|title=Cast from Chrome to your TV: Casting a Tab|url=https://support.google.com/chromecast/answer/3228332?hl=en|work=support.google.com|publisher=Google Inc. |access-date=September 24, 2013}}</ref><ref name=MinSystemReqs>{{cite web|url=https://support.google.com/chromecast/answer/3209990?hl=en|title=Cast from Chrome to your TV: Minimum System Requirements|work=support.google.com|publisher=Google Inc. |access-date=August 30, 2013}}</ref> Similarly, screen images mirrored from Android devices are typically degraded, reflecting the fact that video displayed on the smaller screens of tablets and smartphones is usually downscaled.<ref name="SydneyMornHerald" />


Sender devices previously needed to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as a Google Cast receiver device to cast content,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.androidcentral.com/chromecast-allow-casting-without-being-same-wifi-network|title=Chromecast to allow casting without being on same WiFi network|work=Android Central|first=Richard|last=Devine|date=June 25, 2014|access-date=June 25, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/chromecast-gets-a-slew-of-extra-apps-and-an-awesome-new-1595869127|title=Chromecast Is Getting a Slew of Awesome New Features|work=[[Gizmodo]]|publisher=[[Gawker Media]]|first=Andrew|last=Tarantola|date=June 25, 2014|access-date=June 25, 2014}}</ref> until the addition of a "guest mode" feature on December 10, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.droid-life.com/2014/12/11/chromecast-update-brings-guest-mode-beta-mirroring-fresh-material-ui/|title=Chromecast Update Brings Guest Mode, Beta Mirroring, Fresh Material UI|work=Droid Life|author=Kellex|date=December 11, 2014|access-date=December 12, 2014}}</ref> When enabled, the feature allows sender devices to discover a nearby player by detecting [[Ultrasound|ultrasonic]] audio emitted by the television or speaker system to which the player is connected;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/6/26/5846726/chromecast-will-use-ultrasonic-sounds-to-connect-nearby-devices|title=Google's Chromecast will use ultrasonic sounds to connect with nearby devices|work=The Verge|publisher=Vox Media|first=Chris|last=Welch|date=June 26, 2014|access-date=June 27, 2014}}</ref><ref name="guest-audio">{{cite web|url=https://support.google.com/chromecast/answer/6279388?hl=en|title=Set up guest mode for Chromecast Audio|work=support.google.com|publisher=Google |access-date=December 18, 2015}}</ref> alternatively, the sender device can be paired with the receiver device using a four-digit PIN code.<ref name="guest-audio"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://gigaom.com/2014/06/26/chromecast-will-use-ultrasonic-sounds-to-pair-your-tv-with-your-friends-phones/|title=Chromecast will use ultrasonic sounds to pair your TV with your friend's phones |work=[[GigaOM]] |first=Janko |last=Roettgers |date=June 26, 2014 |access-date=June 27, 2014 }}</ref> Guest mode is only available for Chromecasts; the Nexus Player and Android TV devices do not support the feature.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://developers.google.com/cast/docs/guest_mode |title=Guest Mode |work=[[Google Developers]] |publisher=Google |date=July 26, 2016 |access-date=November 18, 2016 }}</ref>
Sender devices previously needed to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as a Google Cast receiver device to cast content,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.androidcentral.com/chromecast-allow-casting-without-being-same-wifi-network|title=Chromecast to allow casting without being on same WiFi network|work=Android Central|first=Richard|last=Devine|date=June 25, 2014|access-date=June 25, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/chromecast-gets-a-slew-of-extra-apps-and-an-awesome-new-1595869127|title=Chromecast Is Getting a Slew of Awesome New Features|work=[[Gizmodo]]|publisher=[[Gawker Media]]|first=Andrew|last=Tarantola|date=June 25, 2014|access-date=June 25, 2014}}</ref> until the addition of a "guest mode" feature on December 10, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.droid-life.com/2014/12/11/chromecast-update-brings-guest-mode-beta-mirroring-fresh-material-ui/|title=Chromecast Update Brings Guest Mode, Beta Mirroring, Fresh Material UI|work=Droid Life|author=Kellex|date=December 11, 2014|access-date=December 12, 2014}}</ref> When enabled, the feature allows sender devices to discover a nearby player by detecting [[Ultrasound|ultrasonic]] audio emitted by the television or speaker system to which the player is connected;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/6/26/5846726/chromecast-will-use-ultrasonic-sounds-to-connect-nearby-devices|title=Google's Chromecast will use ultrasonic sounds to connect with nearby devices|work=The Verge|publisher=Vox Media|first=Chris|last=Welch|date=June 26, 2014|access-date=June 27, 2014}}</ref><ref name="guest-audio">{{cite web|url=https://support.google.com/chromecast/answer/6279388?hl=en|title=Set up guest mode for Chromecast Audio|work=support.google.com|publisher=Google Inc. |access-date=December 18, 2015}}</ref> alternatively, the sender device can be paired with the receiver device using a four-digit PIN code.<ref name="guest-audio"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://gigaom.com/2014/06/26/chromecast-will-use-ultrasonic-sounds-to-pair-your-tv-with-your-friends-phones/ |title=Chromecast will use ultrasonic sounds to pair your TV with your friend's phones |work=[[GigaOM]] |first=Janko |last=Roettgers |date=June 26, 2014 |access-date=June 27, 2014 |archive-date=June 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140626183356/http://gigaom.com/2014/06/26/chromecast-will-use-ultrasonic-sounds-to-pair-your-tv-with-your-friends-phones/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Guest mode is only available for Chromecasts; the Nexus Player and Android TV devices do not support the feature.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://developers.google.com/cast/docs/guest_mode |title=Guest Mode |work=[[Google Developers]] |publisher=Google Inc. |date=July 26, 2016 |access-date=November 18, 2016 }}</ref>


==SDK and compatible apps==
==SDK and compatible apps==
⚫
[[File:Chromecast cast button icon.svg|thumb|upright=0.5|Icon for the "cast button", which is used to connect, control and disconnect from Google Cast receivers. The button can also represent compatible non-Cast receivers, such as [[Bluetooth audio]] players.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://developers.google.com/cast/docs/design_checklist#cast-button |title=Google Cast Design Checklist |work=[[Google Developers]] |publisher=Google Inc. |access-date=July 30, 2014 }}</ref>]]
{{See also|List of apps with Google Cast support}}

⚫
[[File:Chromecast cast button icon.svg|thumb|upright=0.5|Icon for the "cast button", which is used to connect, control and disconnect from Google Cast receivers. The button can also represent compatible non-Cast receivers, such as [[Bluetooth audio]] players.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://developers.google.com/cast/docs/design_checklist#cast-button |title=Google Cast Design Checklist |work=[[Google Developers]] |publisher=Google |access-date=July 30, 2014 }}</ref>]]


===Release and distribution===
===Release and distribution===
When the first-generation Chromecast was released, four Google Cast-compatible apps were available: [[YouTube]] and [[Netflix]] were supported as Android, iOS, and Chrome web apps; [[Google Play Music]] and [[Google Play Movies & TV]] were also supported, but originally only as Android apps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://twit.tv/show/this-week-in-tech/416 |title=This Week in Tech 416 |work=[[TWiT.tv]]|access-date=July 31, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-ticker/chromecast-vs-roku-vs-apple-tv-best-streaming-154945428.html |title=Chromecast vs. Roku vs. Apple TV: What's the Best Streaming Device? &#124; Daily Ticker |work=[[Yahoo! Finance]] |publisher=Yahoo |first=Aaron |last=Pressman |date=August 1, 2013 |access-date=August 27, 2013 }}</ref> Additional apps supporting casting would require access to the Google Cast [[software development kit]] (SDK). The SDK was first released as a preview version on July 24, 2013. Google advised interested developers to use the SDK to create and test apps, but not distribute them.<ref name="RelNotes">{{cite web|url=https://developers.google.com/cast/release-notes|title=Google Cast Release Notes: 1.0|work=[[Google Developers]]|publisher=Google |date=July 24, 2013|access-date=June 27, 2014}}</ref> While that admonition remained in force, Google Cast-enabled applications for [[Hulu Plus]] and [[Pandora Radio]] were released in October 2013, and [[HBO GO]] in November.<ref name="Hulu Blog: Chromecast support">{{cite web |last=Nischol |first=Karan |title=Cast Away: Hulu Plus on Chromecast |url=http://blog.hulu.com/2013/10/02/cast-away-hulu-plus-on-chromecast/ |work=Blog |publisher=Hulu |access-date=October 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004225550/http://blog.hulu.com/2013/10/02/cast-away-hulu-plus-on-chromecast/ |archive-date=October 4, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="CNET: Pandora">{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/chromecast-adds-pandora-to-short-list-of-apps-so-far/|title=Chromecast adds Pandora to short list of apps so far|work=[[CNET]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|first=Joan E.|last=Solesman|date=October 31, 2013|access-date=June 27, 2014}}</ref> Google invited developers to a two-day [[hackathon]] on December 7 at [[Googleplex]], its [[Mountain View, California|Mountain View]] headquarters, offering the opportunity to test drive the SDK's "upcoming release".<ref name="Engadget--hackathon">{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2013/11/21/google-chromecast-sdk-hackathon-app/|title=Google invites devs over for a Chromecast hackathon plus SDK show-and-tell, updates official app|work=Engadget|publisher=AOL |last=Lawler|first=Richer|date=November 21, 2013|access-date=June 27, 2014 }}</ref> The session attracted 40 developers from 30 companies and was followed by 10 additional apps, including [[Plex (software)|Plex]], Avia, and [[Realplayer Cloud]].<ref name="Gigaom Queiroz interview">{{cite web|url=http://gigaom.com/2013/12/13/chromecast-in-2014-an-open-sdk-big-international-plans-and-maybe-even-new-devices/|title=Chromecast in 2014: an open SDK, big international plans and maybe even new devices|work=GigaOM|first=Janko|last=Roettgers|date=December 13, 2013|access-date=June 27, 2014}}</ref>
When the first-generation Chromecast was released, four Google Cast-compatible apps were available: [[YouTube]] and [[Netflix]] were supported as Android, iOS, and Chrome web apps; [[Google Play Music]] and [[Google Play Movies & TV]] were also supported, but originally only as Android apps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://twit.tv/show/this-week-in-tech/416 |title=This Week in Tech 416 |work=[[TWiT.tv]]|access-date=July 31, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-ticker/chromecast-vs-roku-vs-apple-tv-best-streaming-154945428.html |title=Chromecast vs. Roku vs. Apple TV: What's the Best Streaming Device? &#124; Daily Ticker |work=[[Yahoo! Finance]] |publisher=Yahoo |first=Aaron |last=Pressman |date=August 1, 2013 |access-date=August 27, 2013 }}</ref> Additional apps supporting casting would require access to the Google Cast [[software development kit]] (SDK). The SDK was first released as a preview version on July 24, 2013. Google advised interested developers to use the SDK to create and test apps, but not distribute them.<ref name="RelNotes">{{cite web|url=https://developers.google.com/cast/release-notes|title=Google Cast Release Notes: 1.0|work=[[Google Developers]]|publisher=Google Inc. |date=July 24, 2013|access-date=June 27, 2014}}</ref> While that admonition remained in force, Google Cast-enabled applications for [[Hulu Plus]] and [[Pandora Radio]] were released in October 2013, and [[HBO GO]] in November.<ref name="Hulu Blog: Chromecast support">{{cite web |last=Nischol |first=Karan |title=Cast Away: Hulu Plus on Chromecast |url=http://blog.hulu.com/2013/10/02/cast-away-hulu-plus-on-chromecast/ |work=Blog |publisher=Hulu |access-date=October 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004225550/http://blog.hulu.com/2013/10/02/cast-away-hulu-plus-on-chromecast/ |archive-date=October 4, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="CNET: Pandora">{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/chromecast-adds-pandora-to-short-list-of-apps-so-far/|title=Chromecast adds Pandora to short list of apps so far|work=[[CNET]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|first=Joan E.|last=Solesman|date=October 31, 2013|access-date=June 27, 2014}}</ref> Google invited developers to a two-day [[hackathon]] on December 7 at [[Googleplex]], its [[Mountain View, California|Mountain View]] headquarters, offering the opportunity to test drive the SDK's "upcoming release".<ref name="Engadget--hackathon">{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2013/11/21/google-chromecast-sdk-hackathon-app/|title=Google invites devs over for a Chromecast hackathon plus SDK show-and-tell, updates official app|work=Engadget|publisher=AOL |last=Lawler|first=Richer|date=November 21, 2013|access-date=June 27, 2014 }}</ref> The session attracted 40 developers from 30 companies and was followed by 10 additional apps, including [[Plex (software)|Plex]], Avia, and [[Realplayer Cloud]].<ref name="Gigaom Queiroz interview">{{cite web|url=http://gigaom.com/2013/12/13/chromecast-in-2014-an-open-sdk-big-international-plans-and-maybe-even-new-devices/|title=Chromecast in 2014: an open SDK, big international plans and maybe even new devices|work=GigaOM|first=Janko|last=Roettgers|date=December 13, 2013|access-date=June 27, 2014|archive-date=June 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140626191726/http://gigaom.com/2013/12/13/chromecast-in-2014-an-open-sdk-big-international-plans-and-maybe-even-new-devices/|url-status=dead}}</ref>


Google opened the SDK to all developers on February 3, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zdnet.com/google-takes-chromecast-sdk-out-of-preview-7000025906/|title=Google takes Chromecast SDK out of preview|work=[[ZDNet]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|first=Chris|last=Duckett|date=February 4, 2014|access-date=June 27, 2014}}</ref> In its introductory documentation and video presentation, Google said the SDK worked with both Chromecast devices and other unnamed "cast receiver devices". Chromecast product manager Rish Chandra said that Google used the intervening time to improve the SDK's reliability and accommodate those developers who sought a quick and easy way to cast a photo to a television without a lot of coding. Google also made the SDK a part of the [[Google Play Services]] framework, thereby giving users access to new apps without having to update Android itself.<ref name="Google:SDK now open">{{cite web|last=Affaki|first=John|title=Ready to cast: Chromecast now open to developers with the Google Cast SDK|url=http://googledevelopers.blogspot.com/2014/02/ready-to-cast-chromecast-now-open-to.html|work=Google Developers Blog|date=February 3, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Gigaom: final SDK release">{{cite news|last=Roettgers|first=Janko|title=Get ready for tons of new Chromecast apps: Google releases Cast SDK|url=http://gigaom.com/2014/02/03/chromecast-apps-sdk-google-cast/|newspaper=Gigaom|date=February 3, 2014}}</ref> Over time, many more applications have been updated to support Google Cast. At Google I/O 2014, the company announced that 6,000 registered developers were working on 10,000 Google Cast–ready apps;<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2014/06/25/live-google-io/11349219/ |title=Live: Google unveils Android experiences for home, car |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |publisher=[[Gannett Company]] |first=Brett |last=Molina |date=June 25, 2014 |access-date=June 27, 2014 }}</ref> by the following year's conference, the number of compatible apps had doubled.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.technobuffalo.com/2015/05/28/17m-chromecasts-sold-to-date-20000-apps-available/ |title=17M Chromecasts Sold to Date – 20,000 Apps Available |website=TechnoBuffalo |first=Todd |last=Haselton |date=May 28, 2015 |access-date=May 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528223514/http://www.technobuffalo.com/2015/05/28/17m-chromecasts-sold-to-date-20000-apps-available/ |archive-date=May 28, 2015 }}</ref> Google's official list of compatible apps and platforms is available on the [https://www.google.com/intl/en/chromecast/apps/ Chromecast website]. Google has published case studies documenting Google Cast integration by [[Comedy Central]], [[Just Dance Now]], [[Haystack News]] and Fitnet.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developers.google.com/cast/docs/case-studies|title=Cast: Case Studies|website=Google Developers|publisher=Google |access-date=April 13, 2016}}</ref>
Google opened the SDK to all developers on February 3, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/google-takes-chromecast-sdk-out-of-preview/|title=Google takes Chromecast SDK out of preview|work=[[ZDNet]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|first=Chris|last=Duckett|date=February 4, 2014|access-date=June 27, 2014}}</ref> In its introductory documentation and video presentation, Google said the SDK worked with both Chromecast devices and other unnamed "cast receiver devices". Chromecast product manager Rish Chandra said that Google used the intervening time to improve the SDK's reliability and accommodate those developers who sought a quick and easy way to cast a photo to a television without a lot of coding. Google also made the SDK a part of the [[Google Play Services]] framework, thereby giving users access to new apps without having to update Android itself.<ref name="Google:SDK now open">{{cite web|last=Affaki|first=John|title=Ready to cast: Chromecast now open to developers with the Google Cast SDK|url=http://googledevelopers.blogspot.com/2014/02/ready-to-cast-chromecast-now-open-to.html|work=Google Developers Blog|date=February 3, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Gigaom: final SDK release">{{cite news|last=Roettgers|first=Janko|title=Get ready for tons of new Chromecast apps: Google releases Cast SDK|url=http://gigaom.com/2014/02/03/chromecast-apps-sdk-google-cast/|newspaper=Gigaom|date=February 3, 2014|access-date=November 17, 2016|archive-date=February 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203192513/http://gigaom.com/2014/02/03/chromecast-apps-sdk-google-cast/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Over time, many more applications have been updated to support Google Cast. At Google I/O 2014, the company announced that 6,000 registered developers were working on 10,000 Google Cast–ready apps;<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2014/06/25/live-google-io/11349219/ |title=Live: Google unveils Android experiences for home, car |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |publisher=[[Gannett Company]] |first=Brett |last=Molina |date=June 25, 2014 |access-date=June 27, 2014 }}</ref> by the following year's conference, the number of compatible apps had doubled.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.technobuffalo.com/2015/05/28/17m-chromecasts-sold-to-date-20000-apps-available/ |title=17M Chromecasts Sold to Date – 20,000 Apps Available |website=TechnoBuffalo |first=Todd |last=Haselton |date=May 28, 2015 |access-date=May 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528223514/http://www.technobuffalo.com/2015/05/28/17m-chromecasts-sold-to-date-20000-apps-available/ |archive-date=May 28, 2015 }}</ref> Google has published case studies documenting Google Cast integration by [[Comedy Central]], [[Just Dance Now]], [[Haystack News]] and Fitnet.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developers.google.com/cast/docs/case-studies|title=Cast: Case Studies|website=Google Developers|publisher=Google Inc. |access-date=April 13, 2016}}</ref>


===Framework===
===Framework===
The development framework has two components: a sender app and a receiver app, both of which make use of [[API]]s provided by the SDK.
The development framework has two components: a sender app and a receiver app, both of which make use of [[API]]s provided by the SDK.
* The sender app is based on a vendor's existing Android or iOS mobile app, or desktop web app, and provides users with content discovery and media controls, including the ability to select to which device content is streamed. Under the hood, sender apps can detect receiver devices on the same local network, establish a secure channel, and exchange messages.
* The sender app is based on a vendor's existing Android or iOS mobile app, or desktop web app, and provides users with content discovery and media controls, including the ability to select to which device content is streamed. Under the hood, sender apps can detect receiver devices on the same local network, establish a secure channel, and exchange messages.
* The receiver app is a web app executing in a Chrome browser-like environment resident on the cast receiver device. Receiver apps of varying complexities can be developed depending on the variety of content formats the app can play. For example, a simple receiver app might just play [[HTML5 video|HTML5]] content, whereas custom receiver apps, which require more programming effort, can take a variety of streaming protocols, including [[MPEG-DASH]], [[HTTP Live Streaming|HTTP Live Streaming (HLS)]], and the [[Microsoft Smooth Streaming Protocol]].<ref name="Google:SDK now open" />
* The receiver app is a web app executing in a Chrome browser-like environment resident on the cast receiver device. Receiver apps of varying complexities can be developed depending on the variety of content formats the app can play. For example, a simple receiver app might just play [[HTML video]] content, whereas custom receiver apps, which require more programming effort, can take a variety of streaming protocols, including [[MPEG-DASH]], [[HTTP Live Streaming|HTTP Live Streaming (HLS)]], and the [[Microsoft Smooth Streaming Protocol]].<ref name="Google:SDK now open" />


===Supported media===
===Supported media===
Chromecast supports the image formats [[BMP file format|BMP]], [[GIF]], [[JPEG]], [[Portable Network Graphics|PNG]], and [[WEBP]], with a display size limitation of [[720p]] (1280 × 720 pixels). Supported audio [[codec]]s are [[High-Efficiency Advanced Audio Coding|HE-AAC]], [[Advanced Audio Coding|LC-AAC]], [[MP3]], [[Vorbis]], [[WAV]] [[Pulse-code modulation|(LPCM]]), [[FLAC]] (up to 96kHz/24-bit) and [[Opus (audio format)|Opus]]; AC-3 ([[Dolby Digital]]) and E-AC-3 (EC-3, [[Dolby Digital Plus]]) are available for audio pass-through. Supported video codecs for the first and second generation Chromecast are [[H.264/MPEG-4 AVC|H.264]] High Profile Level 4.1 (decoding up to 720p/60 [[frame rate|frames per second]] (fps) or [[1080p]]/30fps) and [[VP8]]. Supported video codecs for the third generation Chromecast are H.264 High Profile Level 4.2 (decoding up to 720p/60 (fps) or 1080p/60fps) and VP8.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://developers.google.com/cast/docs/media#video-codecs-chromecast-1st-and-2nd-gen|title=Supported Media for Google Cast with 1st and 2nd gen Chromecast|date=March 20, 2017|website=Google Developers|publisher=Google Inc.}}</ref> The supported video codecs for the Chromecast Ultra are [[High Efficiency Video Coding|HEVC / H.265]] Main and Main 10 Profiles up to level 5.1 (2160p/60fps) and [[VP9]] Profile 0 and Profile 2 up to level 5.1 (2160p/60fps).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developers.google.com/cast/docs/media#video-codecs-chromecast-ultra|title=Supported Media for Google Cast with Chromecast Ultra|date=March 20, 2017|website=Google Developers}}</ref>
Chromecast supports the image formats [[BMP file format|BMP]], [[GIF]], [[JPEG]], [[Portable Network Graphics|PNG]], and [[WEBP]], with a display size limitation of [[720p]] (1280 × 720 pixels). Supported audio [[codec]]s are [[High-Efficiency Advanced Audio Coding|HE-AAC]], [[Advanced Audio Coding|LC-AAC]], [[MP3]], [[Vorbis]], [[WAV]] [[Pulse-code modulation|(LPCM]]), [[FLAC]] (up to 96&nbsp;kHz/24-bit) and [[Opus (audio format)|Opus]];<ref name="castsdk-mediasupport">{{cite web|url=https://developers.google.com/cast/docs/media|title=Supported Media for Google Cast|date=March 13, 2023|website=Google Developers|publisher=Google Inc.|access-date=August 9, 2024}}</ref> AC-3 ([[Dolby Digital]]) and E-AC-3 (EC-3, [[Dolby Digital Plus]]) are available for audio pass-through.

Different video codecs are supported across Google's portfolio of devices:<ref name="castsdk-mediasupport"/>
* '''First and second generation Chromecast'''
** [[H.264/MPEG-4 AVC|H.264]] High Profile up to Level 4.1 (decoding up to 720p at 60 [[frame rate|frames per second]] (fps) or [[1080p]] at 30fps)
** [[VP8]] (720p at 60fps or 1080p at 30fps)
* '''Third generation Chromecast'''
** H.264 High Profile up to Level 4.2 (decoding up to 720p at 60fps or 1080p at 60fps)
** VP8 (720p at 60fps or 1080p at 30fps)
* '''Chromecast Ultra'''
** H.264 High Profile up to level 4.2 (1080p at 60fps)
** VP8 (4K at 30fps)
** [[High Efficiency Video Coding|HEVC / H.265]] Main and Main10 Profiles up to level 5.1 (4K at 60fps)
** [[VP9]] Profile 0 and Profile 2 up to level 5.1 (4K at 60fps)
* '''Chromecast with Google TV'''
** H.264 High Profile up to level 5.1 (4K by 2K at 30fps)
** HEVC / H.265 Main and Main10 Profiles up to level 5.1 (4K by 2K at 60fps)
** VP9 Profile-2 (4K by 2K at 60fps)
* '''Google Nest Hub'''
** H.264 High Profile up to level 4.1 (720p at 60fps)
** VP9 up to level 4.0 (720p at 60fps)
* '''Nest Hub Max'''
** H.264 High Profile up to level 4.1 (720p at 30fps)
** VP9 up to level 4.0 (720p at 30fps)


===Additional functionality and APIs===
===Additional functionality and APIs===
Line 60: Line 83:
** Chromecast Ultra (video)
** Chromecast Ultra (video)
** Chromecast with Google TV
** Chromecast with Google TV

* [[Android TV]] devices:
* [[Android TV]] devices:
** [[Nexus Player]]
** [[Nexus Player]]
Line 77: Line 99:
** Soniq televisions
** Soniq televisions
** [[Nokia]] televisions and set-top boxes
** [[Nokia]] televisions and set-top boxes

* [[Soundbar]]s and speakers:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.google.com/chromecast/built-in/audio/ |title=Chromecast built-in - Audio |access-date=July 27, 2017}}</ref>
* [[Soundbar]]s and speakers:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.google.com/chromecast/built-in/audio/ |title=Chromecast built-in - Audio |access-date=July 27, 2017}}</ref>
** [[Google Nest (smart speakers)|Google Nest]] (previously Google Home)
** [[Google Nest (smart speakers)|Google Nest]] (previously Google Home)
Line 113: Line 134:
* [https://developers.google.com/cast/ Google Cast SDK] at [[Google Developers]]
* [https://developers.google.com/cast/ Google Cast SDK] at [[Google Developers]]


{{Google Inc.}}
{{Google LLC}}


[[Category:Google|Cast]]
[[Category:Google|Cast]]

Latest revision as of 05:22, 12 September 2024

Google Cast
Developed byGoogle
IntroducedJuly 24, 2013; 11 years ago (2013-07-24)
IndustryStreaming media
Websitewww.android.com/better-together/#cast Edit this at Wikidata

Google Cast is a proprietary protocol developed by Google for playing locally stored or Internet-streamed audiovisual content on a compatible consumer device. The protocol is used to initiate and control playback of content on digital media players, high-definition televisions, and home audio systems using a mobile device, personal computer, or smart speaker. The protocol was first launched on July 24, 2013, to support Google's first-generation Chromecast player.[1]

The Google Cast SDK was released on February 3, 2014, allowing third parties to modify their software to support the protocol.[2] According to Google, over 20,000 Google Cast-ready apps were available as of May 2015. Support for Google Cast has since been integrated into subsequent devices, such as the Nexus Player and other Android TV devices (such as televisions), as well as soundbars, speakers, and later models of the Chromecast. Consumer devices that natively support the protocol were marketed as Chromecast built-in from 2016[3] to 2024, after which the branding reverted back to the Google Cast name.[4] As of October 2017, over 55 million Google Cast-enabled devices have been sold.[5]

Operation

[edit]

Google Cast receivers can stream content via two methods: the first employs mobile and web apps that support the Google Cast technology; the second allows mirroring of content from the web browser Google Chrome running on a personal computer, as well as content displayed on some Android devices.[6] In both cases, playback is initiated through the "cast" button on the sender device.[7]

  • The primary method of playing media on the device is through Google Cast–enabled mobile and web apps, which control program selection, playback, and volume. Google Cast receiver devices stream the media from the web within a local version of the Chrome browser,[8] thus freeing the sender device up for other tasks, such as answering a call or using another application, without disrupting playback. Mobile apps enabled for Google Cast are available for both Android 4.1+ and iOS 7.0+; web apps enabled for Google Cast are available on computers running Google Chrome version 72 or later (on Microsoft Windows 7+, macOS 10.7+, and ChromeOS) through the installation of the "Cast extension" in the browser.[9][10] Streamed content can be Internet-based, as provided by specific apps, or reside on the sender device's local storage.[11][12]
  • Content can also be mirrored from a tab of the Chrome browser (with the Cast extension) on a personal computer or from the screen of some Android 4.4+ devices. In the case of "tab casting", the quality of the image depends on the processing power of the device, and minimum system requirements apply to video streaming. Content that uses plug-ins, such as Silverlight and QuickTime, does not fully work, as the stream may lack sound or image.[13][14] Similarly, screen images mirrored from Android devices are typically degraded, reflecting the fact that video displayed on the smaller screens of tablets and smartphones is usually downscaled.[6]

Sender devices previously needed to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as a Google Cast receiver device to cast content,[15][16] until the addition of a "guest mode" feature on December 10, 2014.[17] When enabled, the feature allows sender devices to discover a nearby player by detecting ultrasonic audio emitted by the television or speaker system to which the player is connected;[18][19] alternatively, the sender device can be paired with the receiver device using a four-digit PIN code.[19][20] Guest mode is only available for Chromecasts; the Nexus Player and Android TV devices do not support the feature.[21]

SDK and compatible apps

[edit]
Icon for the "cast button", which is used to connect, control and disconnect from Google Cast receivers. The button can also represent compatible non-Cast receivers, such as Bluetooth audio players.[22]

Release and distribution

[edit]

When the first-generation Chromecast was released, four Google Cast-compatible apps were available: YouTube and Netflix were supported as Android, iOS, and Chrome web apps; Google Play Music and Google Play Movies & TV were also supported, but originally only as Android apps.[23][24] Additional apps supporting casting would require access to the Google Cast software development kit (SDK). The SDK was first released as a preview version on July 24, 2013. Google advised interested developers to use the SDK to create and test apps, but not distribute them.[25] While that admonition remained in force, Google Cast-enabled applications for Hulu Plus and Pandora Radio were released in October 2013, and HBO GO in November.[26][27] Google invited developers to a two-day hackathon on December 7 at Googleplex, its Mountain View headquarters, offering the opportunity to test drive the SDK's "upcoming release".[28] The session attracted 40 developers from 30 companies and was followed by 10 additional apps, including Plex, Avia, and Realplayer Cloud.[29]

Google opened the SDK to all developers on February 3, 2014.[30] In its introductory documentation and video presentation, Google said the SDK worked with both Chromecast devices and other unnamed "cast receiver devices". Chromecast product manager Rish Chandra said that Google used the intervening time to improve the SDK's reliability and accommodate those developers who sought a quick and easy way to cast a photo to a television without a lot of coding. Google also made the SDK a part of the Google Play Services framework, thereby giving users access to new apps without having to update Android itself.[31][32] Over time, many more applications have been updated to support Google Cast. At Google I/O 2014, the company announced that 6,000 registered developers were working on 10,000 Google Cast–ready apps;[33] by the following year's conference, the number of compatible apps had doubled.[34] Google has published case studies documenting Google Cast integration by Comedy Central, Just Dance Now, Haystack News and Fitnet.[35]

Framework

[edit]

The development framework has two components: a sender app and a receiver app, both of which make use of APIs provided by the SDK.

  • The sender app is based on a vendor's existing Android or iOS mobile app, or desktop web app, and provides users with content discovery and media controls, including the ability to select to which device content is streamed. Under the hood, sender apps can detect receiver devices on the same local network, establish a secure channel, and exchange messages.
  • The receiver app is a web app executing in a Chrome browser-like environment resident on the cast receiver device. Receiver apps of varying complexities can be developed depending on the variety of content formats the app can play. For example, a simple receiver app might just play HTML video content, whereas custom receiver apps, which require more programming effort, can take a variety of streaming protocols, including MPEG-DASH, HTTP Live Streaming (HLS), and the Microsoft Smooth Streaming Protocol.[31]

Supported media

[edit]

Chromecast supports the image formats BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG, and WEBP, with a display size limitation of 720p (1280 × 720 pixels). Supported audio codecs are HE-AAC, LC-AAC, MP3, Vorbis, WAV (LPCM), FLAC (up to 96 kHz/24-bit) and Opus;[36] AC-3 (Dolby Digital) and E-AC-3 (EC-3, Dolby Digital Plus) are available for audio pass-through.

Different video codecs are supported across Google's portfolio of devices:[36]

  • First and second generation Chromecast
  • Third generation Chromecast
    • H.264 High Profile up to Level 4.2 (decoding up to 720p at 60fps or 1080p at 60fps)
    • VP8 (720p at 60fps or 1080p at 30fps)
  • Chromecast Ultra
    • H.264 High Profile up to level 4.2 (1080p at 60fps)
    • VP8 (4K at 30fps)
    • HEVC / H.265 Main and Main10 Profiles up to level 5.1 (4K at 60fps)
    • VP9 Profile 0 and Profile 2 up to level 5.1 (4K at 60fps)
  • Chromecast with Google TV
    • H.264 High Profile up to level 5.1 (4K by 2K at 30fps)
    • HEVC / H.265 Main and Main10 Profiles up to level 5.1 (4K by 2K at 60fps)
    • VP9 Profile-2 (4K by 2K at 60fps)
  • Google Nest Hub
    • H.264 High Profile up to level 4.1 (720p at 60fps)
    • VP9 up to level 4.0 (720p at 60fps)
  • Nest Hub Max
    • H.264 High Profile up to level 4.1 (720p at 30fps)
    • VP9 up to level 4.0 (720p at 30fps)

Additional functionality and APIs

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At International CES 2015, Google announced an expansion to Google Cast called "Google Cast for audio", which allows apps that support the Google Cast SDK to play audio through compatible Wi-Fi–connected speakers, soundbars, and receivers.[37] Manufacturers supporting Google Cast as a built-in function in their speakers include LG and Sony.[38]

In May 2015, Google introduced new sets of APIs to Google Cast. The Cast Remote Display APIs allow developers to create second-screen experiences for apps such as games without needing to mirror displays. The Game Manager APIs offer developers more options for creating multiplayer games.[39] Lastly, additional APIs were provided to control autoplaying and queuing of content.[40]

In September 2015, Google announced "Fast Play" and accompanying developer tools, which are aimed at reducing the delays between loading content. In a typical scenario, if a user viewed the first three episodes of a television series, the fourth episode might load in the background.[41] The feature's release has since been delayed.[42]

Compatible devices

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See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Google Launches the $35 Chromecast Streaming Device to Bring Chrome to the Living Room". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on October 25, 2020. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  2. ^ Protalinski, Emil (February 3, 2014). "Google Opens Up Chromecast to Developers, Releases Cast SDK". The Next Web. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  3. ^ Roettgers, Janko (November 23, 2016). "Google Quietly Phases Out 'Google Cast' Branding for TVs, Speakers". Variety. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  4. ^ Li, Abner (May 26, 2024). "'Google Cast' is replacing the 'Chromecast built-in'". 9to5Google. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  5. ^ Jonnalagadda, Harish (October 4, 2017). "Google has sold 55 million Chromecasts around the world". Android Central. Mobile Nations. Archived from the original on October 5, 2017. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  6. ^ a b Turner, Adam (July 14, 2014). "Hands on: Chromecast Android screen mirroring". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  7. ^ Maybury, Rick (April 5, 2014). "Should I buy Google Chromecast?". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
  8. ^ Stein, Gabe (July 24, 2013). "Wow! Google's Chromecast Is Amazingly Hackable". Co.Labs. Fast Company. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  9. ^ "Get Started with Chromecast: What's under the Hood?". Chromecast Help. Google Inc. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  10. ^ Robertson, Adi (July 24, 2013). "Google Reveals Chromecast: Video Streaming to Your TV from Any Device for $35". The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved September 19, 2013.
  11. ^ Welch, Chris (October 1, 2015). "Google Photos for Android Now Works with Chromecast". The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  12. ^ Calimlim, Aldrin (December 11, 2015). "Google Updates Photos and Wallet Apps for iOS with New Features". AppAdvice. Retrieved January 1, 2016.
  13. ^ "Cast from Chrome to your TV: Casting a Tab". support.google.com. Google Inc. Retrieved September 24, 2013.
  14. ^ "Cast from Chrome to your TV: Minimum System Requirements". support.google.com. Google Inc. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  15. ^ Devine, Richard (June 25, 2014). "Chromecast to allow casting without being on same WiFi network". Android Central. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  16. ^ Tarantola, Andrew (June 25, 2014). "Chromecast Is Getting a Slew of Awesome New Features". Gizmodo. Gawker Media. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  17. ^ Kellex (December 11, 2014). "Chromecast Update Brings Guest Mode, Beta Mirroring, Fresh Material UI". Droid Life. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  18. ^ Welch, Chris (June 26, 2014). "Google's Chromecast will use ultrasonic sounds to connect with nearby devices". The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  19. ^ a b "Set up guest mode for Chromecast Audio". support.google.com. Google Inc. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
  20. ^ Roettgers, Janko (June 26, 2014). "Chromecast will use ultrasonic sounds to pair your TV with your friend's phones". GigaOM. Archived from the original on June 26, 2014. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  21. ^ "Guest Mode". Google Developers. Google Inc. July 26, 2016. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  22. ^ "Google Cast Design Checklist". Google Developers. Google Inc. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  23. ^ "This Week in Tech 416". TWiT.tv. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  24. ^ Pressman, Aaron (August 1, 2013). "Chromecast vs. Roku vs. Apple TV: What's the Best Streaming Device? | Daily Ticker". Yahoo! Finance. Yahoo. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
  25. ^ "Google Cast Release Notes: 1.0". Google Developers. Google Inc. July 24, 2013. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  26. ^ Nischol, Karan. "Cast Away: Hulu Plus on Chromecast". Blog. Hulu. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved October 2, 2013.
  27. ^ Solesman, Joan E. (October 31, 2013). "Chromecast adds Pandora to short list of apps so far". CNET. CBS Interactive. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  28. ^ Lawler, Richer (November 21, 2013). "Google invites devs over for a Chromecast hackathon plus SDK show-and-tell, updates official app". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  29. ^ Roettgers, Janko (December 13, 2013). "Chromecast in 2014: an open SDK, big international plans and maybe even new devices". GigaOM. Archived from the original on June 26, 2014. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  30. ^ Duckett, Chris (February 4, 2014). "Google takes Chromecast SDK out of preview". ZDNet. CBS Interactive. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  31. ^ a b Affaki, John (February 3, 2014). "Ready to cast: Chromecast now open to developers with the Google Cast SDK". Google Developers Blog.
  32. ^ Roettgers, Janko (February 3, 2014). "Get ready for tons of new Chromecast apps: Google releases Cast SDK". Gigaom. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
  33. ^ Molina, Brett (June 25, 2014). "Live: Google unveils Android experiences for home, car". USA Today. Gannett Company. Retrieved June 27, 2014.
  34. ^ Haselton, Todd (May 28, 2015). "17M Chromecasts Sold to Date – 20,000 Apps Available". TechnoBuffalo. Archived from the original on May 28, 2015. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  35. ^ "Cast: Case Studies". Google Developers. Google Inc. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
  36. ^ a b "Supported Media for Google Cast". Google Developers. Google Inc. March 13, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  37. ^ Singleton, Micah (January 5, 2015). "Google takes on AirPlay with Google Cast for audio". The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  38. ^ "Google Cast for audio". Google Cast. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  39. ^ Tim-o-tato (May 29, 2015). "Google Launches 'Cast Remote Display' APIs, 'Game Manager' APIs". Droid Life. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  40. ^ Ruddock, David (May 29, 2015). "Google Cast Gets New APIs, Allowing For Second-Screen Functionality, Autoplay, Queuing, And More". Android Police. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  41. ^ Olanoff, Drew (September 29, 2015). "Google Announces Chromecast 2 And Chromecast Audio To Bring Intelligence To Your Living Room". TechCrunch. AOL. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
  42. ^ Ruddock, David (July 27, 2016). "Chromecast's Fast Play Content Prediction feature has been delayed, still being worked on". Android Police. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  43. ^ "Chromecast built-in - Audio". Retrieved July 27, 2017.
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