Google has finally released its media-streaming dongle, the Google Chromecast, here in the UK.
Google’s Chromecast originally launched in the US last July, but it’s only just made its way to these shores.
You can now purchase the Chromecast direct from the UK Google Play Store, as well as the likes of Amazon and Currys. It only costs £30 which, compared to the £99 Apple TV, is a bit of a bargain.
Plug the Chromecast into any HDTV via a spare HDMI slot and you’ll be able to stream video content from the likes of Netflix, YouTube, iPlayer, and of course the Google Play Store itself.
It’s by no means a comprehensive offering, as three out of the four UK’s main channels do not support Chromecast as yet. That means no ITV, Channel 4, or Five. There’s also no Amazon Prime Instant Video app, although with Amazon rumoured to be launching a similar device soon, that’s perhaps not surprising.
A dedicated remote control is neither supplied nor necessary, as you use your smartphone or tablet to control and even push content to the device.
Perhaps Chromecast’s biggest selling point is that it has huge potential for wide range of apps and services. Thanks to its Android core, it will be a small matter for app developers to tweak and release their pre-existing Google Play Store apps for the new device - something that no other media streaming box or smart TV has been able to boast.
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