Chromecast set to explode in 2014: International markets, SDK, integrated into TVs

BY Stefan Constantinescu

Published 16 Dec 2013

Mario Queiroz, one of Google’s Vice Presidents of Product Management, recently sat down with GigaOM to talk about the search giant’s 2014 plans for Chromecast. But before I get to that, quick refresher: The Chromecast is a $35 “computer” that you plug into one of your television’s free HDMI ports. It then connects to your WiFi network and allows you to stream a handful of approved applications from your phone or tablet to your TV.

Unlike an Apple TV, where your device mirrors its screen to the television, Chromecast is merely a video streamer. If you’re watching a YouTube video on your phone and click the “Chromecast” button in the YouTube app, what happens is your phone tells a Google server to tell your Chromecast to play the video you want to see.

Back to Mario, he says Google plans on selling the Chromecast in a ton of markets. Right now it’s only on sale, officially, in the United States. Mario also says that there will be a Chromecast SDK so developers can build apps for the device, though how users will download said apps remains to be seen. And finally, Google is working with TV makers to get Chromecast built into televisions themselves, thereby eliminating yet another widget a consumer has to buy.

As someone who recently purchased a Samsung smart television, let me tell you, the barrier to making a good internet TV is very, very, very low. If Google can sell me something for 40 or even 50 Euros that makes streaming YouTube videos easier, I’m in.