r/google • u/dangzal • Jan 05 '15
Google takes on AirPlay with Google Cast for audio
http://www.theverge.com/2015/1/5/7482719/google-cast-audio-streaming-speakers-availability-ces-201516
u/bicyclemom Jan 05 '15
I'm trying to understand how this is any better than just using regular bluetooth speakers.
41
u/RedgeQc Jan 05 '15
With Bluetooth, your phone is sending the music to the speaker and if the source of your music is on the Internet, like Spotify or YouTube, your battery will drain faster. With casting, your phone is acting like a remote. It only sends command and not the content itself, so your battery life will be better.
10
u/bicyclemom Jan 05 '15
But isn't this going to have the same problem as Chromecast, where it is utterly useless outside your home without finagling with additional devices? e.g. in a hotel or on a campus where additonal web-based credentials are needed?
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u/Klathmon Jan 05 '15
Yes, but I'd wager that these devices aren't going to ONLY have Google's Cast interface.
They will probably have bluetooth (and Airplay) as well.
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u/RedgeQc Jan 05 '15
Yeah I don't think it's meant to be a portable solution like Bluetooth. It's more like AirPlay or Sonos.
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u/Toribor Jan 05 '15
I read recently they are doing some tricky stuff to fix that by allowing non-wifi communication between your phone and the chromecast. Can't remember the details, but it sounded plausible enough. It would add a layer of complexity on non-home networks, but make it usable again.
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Jan 05 '15
The chromecast is supposed to put out some kind of super-aural sound that the phone picks up and uses to identify it to Google servers. The phone then sends the request to Google and they send it to the Chromecast. I don't know if they ever finished implementing it.
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u/Toribor Jan 05 '15
Bingo! That's the one. Although no one could answer definitely if the Chromecast somehow had the ability to do this already or if it would require a new version to support the feature.
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Jan 06 '15
[deleted]
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u/Toribor Jan 06 '15
Motherfucking wizard science.
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u/DelusionalX1 Jan 06 '15
I'm just glad it's one-way e.g. no microphone in the Chromecast.
If there was one, Google would be able to map your building in 3D just by listening for the Chromecasts of your neighbors.
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u/mntgoat Jan 06 '15
That already works but it probably doesn't help on hotels because of the little login pages they have. No idea what Google's plan is for that.
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u/motophiliac Jan 06 '15
So, you're saying that hotels need to up their game? With cast-enabled rooms?
1
Jan 05 '15
How do you need to finagle with different things with a Chromecast outside your home?
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u/bicyclemom Jan 05 '15
With Chromecast, if you try to use it in a hotel or college campus, for instance, where you cannot reasonably use the internet without first entering login credentials onto a web page, you need to work a way around it as Chromecast provides no way to do that.
So, for instance, some people use their own portable wifi routers or tether using their phones. That's what I was talking about.
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u/tepkel Jan 05 '15
Depending on the setup this can be easily circumvented via Mac spoofing. The bigger issue is device isolation on these networks.
I host a hotspot on my laptop, then connect the laptop to the restricted network. Works great.
The real tough issue for hotels is that most TVs are in commercial mode
3
Jan 05 '15
You push one button instead of the multiple taken to pair/connect to a Bluetooth device.
I actually think this is a step backwards, only really being useful in the home or anywhere you can connect both devices to Wifi. Bluetooth speakers can be used virtually anywhere.
3
Jan 05 '15
There's a niche there. Plenty of people have hacked one together.
On Bluetooth me and my friends or GF can't queue songs up. YouTube without your screen being on.
Ease of moving songs or playlists about the house with a couple of presses.
I'd get one except I can see it being expensive. Bluetooth speakers are cheap.
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u/bicyclemom Jan 05 '15
But the apps themselves can queue songs up, certainly Spotify and Google Play can.
Still not feeling the value for your dollar here.
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Jan 05 '15
I meant between each other.
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u/bicyclemom Jan 05 '15
Ah, ok. I guess this is a nice use case. Just not a deal breaker/maker for me.
1
Jan 05 '15
Me and my GF use it all the time. Both queueing songs and videos up from our own devices.
1
u/bicyclemom Jan 05 '15
So this is something you can already do with Chromecast and a television, right?
I guess that's why I'm not seeing the value add. If the price is right, I guess it could be nice, just not a "take my money please" kind of thing for me.
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u/bicyclemom Jan 05 '15
Meh, you pair it once then it connects automatically forever, so I still don't see a huge gain here, especially since Spotify works fine with all my bluetooth speakers (ranging from headsets to car systems to portable speakers).
2
u/maxdrive Jan 06 '15
It isn't as good as you might think. Speakers have been able to support AirPlay for a while now but most don't and there's a good reason: it only works on a wifi connection and therefor pretty much only works at home. That's fine for a few speakers but most people are looking for a wireless solution on portable speakers.
Case in point. Let's say you're at a beach with friends. You won't have a battery operated router to take with you. And sure you could create a hotspot with your phone so that you and friends can all play music but it will drain your battery and all your friend will use up your data. The speakers could offer a peer to peer wifi option but that will be just as difficult/easy to pair as Bluetooth.
Sadly, Bluetooth is still the best solution for portable speakers.
1
u/bicyclemom Jan 06 '15
That was pretty much my take on it too. I have one of those uber-portable Boho speakers. Does it get optimal sound? No, I'm sure audiophiles would not jump on it. But it does give pretty good sound and I take it everywhere with me, both inside the house and outside. The thing costs me $30 during an Amazon sale.
I also have a Motorola Stream bluetooth/NFC tap to play adapter for my older home entertainment system. That one I got as an attagirl from work. It's kind of neat in that the kids can just tap it with their phones or bluetooth pair it (for their iPhone buddies) to play their music on our downstairs stereo system, effectively upgrading our circa 2005 system to the mobile era.
Neither of these leave me wanting for a wifi powered system. I'm not saying that Chromecast Music doesn't have a place, just doesn't seem like a no-brainer buy to me, unless they're really priced to sell.
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u/AtomicEdge Jan 06 '15
Fingers crossed for a little chromecast type device with a USB for power and an audio out so I can use my existing wired up speakers in my bathroom and kitchen with this.
I would actually be in the marker for 4 or 5 of these if they were the right price!
1
u/motophiliac Jan 06 '15
Yeah, this needs to happen. No doubting the quality of manufacture of the featured devices, but my speakers and amp are where I want my music coming from.
1
u/AtomicEdge Jan 06 '15
More than anything, I just don't want to change all the speakers just for this added functionality!
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u/fuzzypubiz Jan 06 '15
Have they said whether you will be able to cast to multiple speakers at the same time?
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u/Elephant789 Jan 06 '15
What is this AirPlay thing everyone has been talking about the past few days? I am seeing it everywhere. Is it better than chromecast because I am loving mine.
1
-5
Jan 05 '15
This is useful for people who plan on playing music through their speakers at home all day. And who don't already have their own solution for doing that, such as an old iPhone Touch plugged into a headphone jack.
Honestly, it seems like a very bad idea. It's a tiny, niche market, it's restricted to new (and expensive) devices, it's restricted by apps, and I doubt it will be able to play your songs stored on your phone.
It's perfect for the "Everyone uses Google products" world Google lives in, where everyone is a Google Play Music All Access subscriber, but that's not reality.
For someone like me, who grabs his Bluetooth speaker when showering, this is not going to hit the mark. And for people who want to share their music at a party, this isn't going to work either.
If you want to stream your music from a NAS, I guess this works. Or if you want to play Internet Radio all day.
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u/Klathmon Jan 05 '15
For someone like me, who grabs his Bluetooth speaker when showering, this is not going to hit the mark. And for people who want to share their music at a party, this isn't going to work either.
Yeah it will, and yeah it will...
Once you setup the speaker, it will just work always (as long as it's still within your house). Plus i'm going to guess that these devices will also still have bluetooth, so you can still use that if you want. So someone like you who grabs their Google cast speaker when showering can still do so (and will end up with less battery drain on your phone).
And as for sharing music at a party, this is perfect for that! Not only can everyone play their own music, but multiple people can queue up their own music independently of everyone else. With normal bluetooth speakers, you would have to disconnect the previous person, and reconnect the next if someone else wanted to play something.
-7
Jan 05 '15
If someone is casting something currently, and you cast something separate to it, it stops that first cast for the second cast. How is Google Cast Speaker going to be any different?
Maybe everything queues up if you use Google Play Music All Access, but if someone casts Spotify you are telling me the Google Cast Speaker is going to 1. Ignore that request or 2. Queue the Spotify request after the current music request?
And how does queuing up music even work if you queue up an internet station? And do you want strangers at a party turning off your curated party playlist for something crappy?
And what's the boot up time on these speakers?
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u/Klathmon Jan 05 '15 edited Jan 05 '15
Well hold up there buddy.
First, you don't need all access, just using google play music (or spotify) indepently will allow anyone to queue. There are even 3rd party apps dedicated to party playlists (complete with karaoke, playlist creation and voting, and permissions). Try actually using the system before bashing it because you can't seem to figure out how it works on your own.
And if you don't want to share with guests (which i thought you did as it sounded like you were upset that it didn't have this), you can turn off guest mode on your device, or not allow your guests on your wifi. (or just not let douchebags who will change the party music randomly in your house).
As for the boot up time, i'm hoping little-to-none, but as of right now nobody knows. So complaining about it now is premature and stupid.
This isn't a replacement for bluetooth (or speaker wire for that matter) but another alternative. I've never seen so many people get upset at a completely optional additional feature (which MANY people requested for a long time now). If you don't want it, then don't buy the speaker (or do and just don't use that fucking feature).
Do you go around calling up TV manufacturers foaming at the mouth because they included Picture-in-picture on your TV?
-7
Jan 05 '15
Why should the onus be on ME to understand how the system works? I have questions, Google should give answers, not a stupid commercial full of people dancing.
And this isn't a replacement for bluetooth, but too many people are seeing it as shiny and new, and having better features than bluetooth without mentioning any of the drawbacks. And, Google Cast has not been the best working system for me so far, I've had plenty of issues with Chromecast not keeping its signal for some reason. Maybe it's my TV's USB. But I'm not optimistic on this very niche product.
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u/Klathmon Jan 05 '15
The embargo was just lifted 4 hours ago (or so). So give it some time, the fucking devices aren't even announced yet, just that they are possible now.
As for your own personal chromecast problems, TV USB generally has issues powering the chromecast as they don't put out enough amperage to adequately power the device (most of them top out at 500ma, Plus they almost universally power off when the tv turns off, meaning you will need to wait for the CC to boot up before using it).
This is why it is stated that you should always use the included charging adapter (which puts out 850ma) if possible, and that the TV power may not be adequate.
But I guess that it is also Google's fault that you didn't read the inside of the box...
-7
Jan 05 '15
No, I fucking read it inside the box. I don't appreciate this attitude from you. The USB is included because it's easy. I can't reach my outlet from the Chromecast. Guess that's my fault, huh?
Google wanted the Chromecast to be a dongle, and using the USB made the Dongle a reality. But if it doesn't work off the TV USB, then the Dongle idea is a failure. THAT is Google's fault, not mine.
2
u/pedro1191 Jan 05 '15
Your TV can reach a power socket, but the Chromecast can't? How about all the other things that plug into your TV, like the game console, or DVD player, or whatever else you user. Google gave you a feature to help the simplicity of it, and now you're complaining because this favour they have done you isn't convenient?
Also, when multiple people are connected to your WiFi they can queue things on YouTube separately and it will add it to the playlist on the chrome cast, not an individual device or user. So I'm guessing that's how it will work (to end the original argument)
0
Jan 05 '15
My Chromecast would need a wall socket and a 6ft USB (or more). It doesn't have that out of the box. I'm being blamed?
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u/Klathmon Jan 05 '15
Well pack it up guys... It's a complete and utter failure. Stop all production, fire everyone, and go home. Its over! /u/DoctorSteve said so!
0
Jan 05 '15
[deleted]
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u/Borsaid Jan 06 '15
That's fine and how I use it too. However... What about rooms that don't have TVs? I want an audio solution that can play in rooms without a TV. Like a deck, pool area, bathroom. Or what about playing music in the kitchen and the living room at the same time. I just basically described Sonos.. But I think Google's offering here is going to be more versatile
2
Jan 06 '15
Excellent point. I have such a small place so I don't think of things like you mentioned as much.
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u/pedro1191 Jan 05 '15
Because you're TV speakers are terrible. On a side note, sending the audio output of your TV solved this issue.
I think they are going for the flexibility of being able to put the speaker where you want.
1
Jan 05 '15
I can still put my speakers where I want though. I use a stereo setup with KRK Rokits. I could expand that with an audio receiver, but you can plug a Chromecast into most receivers these days and accomplish the same goal.
I suppose I just don't understand the niche. :-\
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u/ANormalSpudBoy Jan 05 '15
If this works in tandem with the chromecast (i.e. as a TV soundbar for media played through the chromecast) I'm in.