Google releases iOS Chromecast app, says local content could come in the future

Justin Kahn

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After Google blocked local video streaming functionality through Chromecast yesterday, the company has now released its own iOS Chromecast companion app along with a statement pointing at local content support in the future.

google chromecast iphone ipad local content Google's new iOS Chromecast app won't be allowing the streaming of local video just yet, but it will allow users to manage various Chromecast options like editing the password, name and settings of the device, among other things. On top of allowing users to set up a Chromecast with their Apple device, it also streams from iOS apps like Netflix and Youtube, as you would imagine. The app is currently available for free on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch in the App Store.

Koushik Dutta created an app that allows you to stream local video from your Android device's gallery, Dropbox and Google Drive through Chromecast. The app stopped working yesterday because of unavoidable Google software updates that automatically install when the device is powered on. The developer claimed the company intentionally blocked the functionality, but Google says this is not the case.

In a statement the company said it was completely unintentional and was simply due to the SDK still being in its infancy. Even more interesting is that the company also sounds fairly optimistic towards supporting local content in the future.

"We’re excited to bring more content to Chromecast and would like to support all types of apps, including those for local content," the statement read. "It's still early days for the Google Cast SDK, which we just released in developer preview for early development and testing only. We expect that the SDK will continue to change before we launch out of developer preview, and want to provide a great experience for users and developers before making the SDK and additional apps more broadly available."

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