Google’s Chromecast dongle is now a bit more versatile following the release of a sizable update on Tuesday. The device now supports 10 new apps that delivery a ton more content in addition to the ability to stream local media onto your television – sort of.
Specifically, Chromecast now has access to VEVO, Red Bull.TV, Songza, PostTV, Viki, Revision 3 and BeyondPod. We’re also told it will support apps for Avia (which requires an in-app purchase for Chromecast support), RealPlayer Cloud and Plex – all services that allow users to stream content you’ve uploaded to the cloud.
You still can’t stream content directly from your device to your television with Chromecast. Instead, you’ll need to use a third-party app to pull it off. It’s not a perfect solution but it’s better than nothing, eh?
Chromecast launched as perhaps one of the biggest (and most affordable) surprises of the summer but it was marred by one big issue: support, or lack of it. We’ve seen the occasional app support update including HBO Go and Pandora but today’s update is the biggest single day offering by far.
Surprisingly enough, however, we haven’t heard as much as a peep about the recent Chromecast hackaton that took place over the weekend. Most expected developers to gain access to a true SDK following the event but that simply wasn’t the case. With any luck, Google will offer developers a bit more flexibility in the not too distant future.
