Yahoo Finance Google Unveils £22 Web TV Streaming Dongle
Google (NasdaqGS: GOOG - news) has introduced a new device to allow viewers to stream internet videos to their TV.
Chromecast, a two-inch dongle that looks like a thumb drive, fits into the HDMI port on an HD television.
It streams content over a wi-fi network to a television, using a computer, phone or tablet as a remote control.
The company said its goal is to create a device with no setup time, no learning curve, and one that works with all platforms and devices.
The $35 (£22) device is a different approach to TV than Google's previous failed attempt, the Nexus Q.
"The television is missing in the streaming video picture," said Sundar Pichai, Google's senior vice president of Android, Chrome and apps.
"It is really, really difficult to get your online videos on the television."
Chromecast supports both Android and iOS devices, and at the launch event Google demonstrated the device using a Windows laptop and an iPhone.
The device currently only streams content from YouTube, Google Play and Netflix (NasdaqGS: NFLX - news) , although more apps, such as Pandora (Other OTC: PNDZF - news) , are expected in the future.
Only 15% of households know how to watch online video on their TV, according to Google.
The device goes head-to-head with existing internet-on-TV devices like Apple TV and Roku.
Chromecast will initially only be available to buy in the US.
Google has also unveiled a new tablet to challenge Apple (NasdaqGS: AAPL - news) 's iPad Mini.
The new Nexus (Xetra: 522090 - news) 7 has the world's highest resolution screen, and is around £100 cheaper than the Apple device.
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