Google today released a brand new iOS app which allows owners of its Chromecast media streaming dongle to manage their $35 gadget from their iPhone, iPod touch or iPad devices. Available now on the App Store, the free Chromecast app lets you set up a Chromecast device to work with your Wi-Fi network and manage your Chromecast settings such as changing your device name, Wi-Fi password and so forth….
Chromecast, for those not in the know, is a $35 USB dongle which connects to an HDMI output device (a separate USB power source is required) allowing you to stream online video on your television set. Supported content sources includes YouTube, Google Play Movies, Google Play Music and Chrome browser, with more coming by way of future updates.
In conjunction with an iOS /Android app and a Google Cast extension for the Chrome browser, users can then control a Chromecast dongle from their smartphone, tablet or laptop.
According to GigaOM, both Vimeo and Redbox Instant will soon be making their way to the streaming stick. Additionally, HBO confirmed to the publication that its discussing with Google about offering support for Chromecast in the near future.
Wow, lots of interest in Chromecast and Plex. Yes, we’ve ordered a few of them 🙂
— plex (@plexapp) July 24, 2013
Unfortunately, Google has spoiled the fun by killing the best thing about the Chromecast – the third-party ability to stream your own video.
Specifically, an update Google recently pushed has blocked an application by Android developer Koushik Dutta who reverse-engineered the device to allow folks to stream any video file type from either a browsers or their Android smartphone.
Go ahead, download Chromecast for iOS free from the App Store.