![]() ![]() Or maybe we’ll see users’ data spun back into Google’s ad business somehow. Perhaps Google is just happy to have one way to bring Google Play services into the living room, even if there’s not much pressure on users to take advantage. This makes me wonder about the business model for Chromecast, since there can’t be much profit in the $35 hardware itself. The only exception is on Android devices, where Google can hawk its music and video services through the Google Play Store. Without a traditional interface on the television, Google has no way to promote its own services over all the other apps that Chromecast supports. ![]() ![]() That’s not exactly the case with Chromecast, where everything’s controlled through apps on your phone, tablet or computer. The difference is that those other devices still give top billing to their own services, and make it easy to purchase music or video without entering more billing information. Thankfully, Chromecast is not an exception to the rule. Even Amazon will reportedly include streaming video rivals Netflix and Hulu on its rumored TV device. Apple TV is a bit less friendly to the competition, as iTunes is your only option for a la carte video and streaming music on the device itself, but you can still access competing services via AirPlay on an iPhone or iPad. The PlayStation 3 has apps for Vudu and Amazon Video, which compete with Sony’s own video offerings. Microsoft’s Xbox 360 has several video apps that rival its own Xbox Video store, and Rhapsody’s Xbox 360 app is a direct competitor to Xbox Music. Pandora and Songza are mainly ad-supported, and they don’t let you choose exactly which song or album you want to hear.Ĭhromecast isn’t the only media streamer that welcomes competing services. Netflix and Hulu Plus are subscription-based video services, and HBO Go only works if you already get the channel through your regular TV provider. While other streaming music and video apps had been available on Chromecast already, none of them are quite like Google’s offerings. It competes directly with Google Play Music All Access, which also costs $10 per month. Likewise, Rdio is a $10 per month subscription service that offers on-demand access to a huge library of music. ![]()
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