Given how stupidly easy it is to use the Chromecast device with supported apps, it should come as no surprise that Google wants to encourage further integration with third-party software. While the company locked down its streaming stick a while back, there are several signs that the restraints are about to be lifted.
1. Official Chromecast Hackathon – Google hosted a hackathon this weekend in Mountain View, letting developers in to try out the Cast SDK and consult with company engineers. There’s no official list of attendees, but a few folks have mentioned receiving invitations including Koushik Dutta, creator of the AirCast app for streaming local content, and various other developers posting on industry forums. (Remember- you can already cast locally-stored photos to the Chromecast, but only if you go through a Chrome browser.)
I was hoping to hear that someone from ESPN would be in attendance, but when I talked to a spokesperson with the company, she had no knowledge of anyone at ESPN planning to go. I’d also like to see a videoconferencing app supported through Chromecast. Personally I use Tango, but Chromecast support might nudge me to spend time with Google Hangouts.
2. New Chromecast Promotion on Google Play – Engadget pointed out that there’s now a new Chromecast page in the Google Play Store, and indeed there is… at least on my phone if not in my laptop browser. The pickings are slim at the moment, but the fact that Google is actively highlighting Chromecast on its app store suggest more apps are coming. Perhaps we’ll see a refresh around CES?
3. A Clue from Plex – Last but not least, AndroidGuys has reported that a Reddit user has posted images of a file called Chromecast.xml found within the Plex Media Server software. The finding isn’t conclusive, but a link between Plex and Chromecast would certainly make sense. We may soon have several Chromecast apps that play your personal media on the big screen.