Chromecast

Apple TV can’t match Amazon and Roku in popularity

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Apple's new Apple TV 4K with redesigned Siri Remote
It's ahead of Chromecast, though.
Photo: Apple

Apple TV (the hardware, not the streaming service) makes up around 12.5% of set-top boxes in a very fragmented marketplace, according to analysis from Parks Associates.

That lags behind Roku and Amazon’s Fire TV Box, which currently stand neck-and-neck. Nonetheless, Apple TV ranks a few percentage points ahead of Google’s Chromecast. Back in 2017, Chromecast came in ahead of Apple TV. And, as recently as 2018 and 2019, the two remained competitive.

New app brings Apple TV+ original shows to Chromecast with Google TV

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Google Chromecast and Apple TV may see like an odd combination. But they do mix.
Chromecast with Google TV is getting a version of the Apple TV app.
Photo: Google

It’s now possible to watch Apple’s streaming service on the Chromecast with Google TV, a redesigned model of this video dongle that debuted in 2020. A version of the free Apple TV application launched Thursday for this accessory. It brings access to series like Ted Lasso and movies like Wolfwalkers.

Google’s newest Chromecast gets an Apple TV app

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Google Chromecast and Apple TV may see like an odd combination. But they do mix.
Chromecast with Google TV is getting a version of the Apple TV app.
Photo: Google

Users of the Chromecast with Google TV will soon be able to install the Apple TV app. That’ll bring access to Apple’s streaming video service, along with series like Ted Lasso and movies like Wolfwalkers.

This is part of Apple’s efforts to get its video app on as many platforms as possible. Going beyond iPhone Mac, the video software is already on multiple smart TVs, game consoles and more.

Comcast finally adds Chromecast support to Xfinity iOS app

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Chromecast and iPad
Google’s Chromecast just became more useful for Xfinity subscribers.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Comcast on Tuesday made it much easier for Xfinity subscribers to watch cable channels on any TV. That’s because the Xfinity Stream app got support for Google’s Chromecast player at long last.

This allows users to stream live content or recorded shows to this inexpensive video player.

Time magazine picks 3 Apple products as best gadgets of the decade

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quotes on Apple
iPad obviously makes the list (but Apple Pencil doesn't).
Photo: Apple

Time magazine’s pick of the “10 best gadgets of the 2010s” is out, and perhaps unsurprisingly, three of them are Apple products.

iPad, Apple Watch, and AirPods were all chosen as some of the “most important and influential gadgets” of the decade. Other products include the Nintendo Switch, Tesla Model S, and the Amazon Echo.

Apple could take on Fire TV Stick with its own streaming dongle

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Amazon Fire TV Stick
Amazon's Fire TV Stick offers streaming content at a low price.
Photo: Amazon

Apple has spent upwards of $1 billion creating original TV shows, but as of yet it hasn’t revealed exactly how it plans to get these in front of users. One idea? That it could release a streaming dongle, similar to Google’s Chromecast and Amazon’s Fire TV Stick.

This could be a lower cost entry point into the streaming TV market — since both Amazon and Google’s offerings cost under $50, compared to $180 for the Apple TV.

Facebook wants to add a camera to your TV

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Facebook Portal
The Portal is Facebook’s first video calling product.
Photo: Facebook

Facebook is allegedly planning to take on Apple TV and Amazon’s Fire TV with a new set top box of its own.

The social network just debuted its new Portal smart speaker earlier this month and according to a new report its smart TV box could pack some similarly creepy features.

Roku continues to trounce Apple TV

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apple tv and siri remote
Apple TV can't compete with Roku.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The gap between Apple TV and Roku continues to widen — only not in Apple’s favor.

According to the latest research data, Apple TV is getting absolutely dominated in the streaming set-top box race. As top rival Roku inches closer toward taking over half the market, Apple TV still struggles to crack into the top three streamers. And the future isn’t looking too bright.

YouTube TV arrives to shake up streaming world

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YouTube TV is only available in 5 cities for now.
YouTube TV is only available in 5 cities for now.
Photo: YouTube

YouTube’s new tv streaming service for cord-cutters has finally arrived for customers in five major US markets.

The new service, dubbed YouTube TV, gives subscribers access to dozens of channels that normally would require a cable subscription, putting it in direct competition with the likes of Hulu, Sling TV, DirecTV Now and Playstation Vue.

Apple TV struggles to gain toehold in living rooms

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apple tv and siri remote
Still not really catching on.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Cupertino might not consider Apple TV a “hobby” any longer, but according to new data from comScore, the streaming device certainly is not viewed as a serious contender in the marketplace.

ComScore’s new figures show that — at the end of 2016 — Roku led the way for streaming TV boxes/sticks in the United States, with 18 percent penetration among Wi-Fi households. Amazon’s Fire TV followed on its heels with 12 percent, while Google’s Chromecast came third with 8 percent. Apple TV trailed in fourth place with just 5 percent.

YouTube is launching a TV streaming service for $35 a month

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YouTube wants to takeover your TV.
YouTube wants to takeover your TV.
Photo: YouTube

Cord cutters just got another option for getting their TV fix over the internet.

Google-owned YouTube revealed today that is launching a new streaming TV service that will offer customers a bundle of channels from broadcast and cable networks for $35. But it might not come with all the channels you want.

Apple TV sales continued their sad decline over the holidays

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appletv
Apple TV hasn't been the winner that Apple was hoping for.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Remember when we all got excited about Apple TV and how it had the potential to change TV as we know it?

It seems that fewer and fewer people do. New data from eMarketer suggest Apple is currently “at the bottom of the U.S. connected TV market, behind Google Chromecast and Roku, with its share shrinking.”

Google brings stunning Featured Photos screensaver to Mac

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mac screensaver post image
Featured Photos makes your Mac look even prettier while it's idle.
Photo: Google

Want a stellar screensaver for your Mac? Look no further than the stunning Featured Photos from Google.

It’s the same screensaver that ships on Chromecast, Fiber, and Pixel devices, and it displays a bunch of beautiful images sourced from Google+ that make your Mac look even prettier while it’s idle.

New Apple TV loses to Roku in U.S.

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apple tv and siri remote
The Apple TV had a surge of sales last year.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The fourth generation Apple TV experienced the largest increase in unit sales last year among streaming media players but it hasn’t been good enough to supplant Roku as the top streamer in the U.S. 

Apple TV’s biggest weakness appears to be its price point. New research shows that smaller stick streamers made up half of last year’s sales and Apple’s competition reaped the rewards.

Spotify baits premium hook with free Chromecast

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spotify-baits-premium-hook-with-free-chromecast-image-cultofandroidcomwp-contentuploads201602chromecast-png
Get a free one of these when you buy three months of Spotify Premium.  Photo: Spotify
Get a free one of these when you buy three months of Spotify Premium. Photo: Spotify

If you haven’t already grabbed a free trial of Spotify, you’re in luck – this deal makes joining the streaming music service even more enticing.

Today through February 28, when you buy three months of Spotify Premium for $29.97, you’ll get a free Chromecast.

Android Pay’s awesome rewards program offers free content and Chromecasts

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android-pays-awesome-rewards-program-offers-free-content-and-chromecasts-image-cultofandroidcomwp-contentuploads201601Android-Pay-Tap-10-jpg
Android Pay rewards are here! Photo: Darrin Rich
Android Pay rewards are here! Photo: Darrin Rich

Google’s answer to Apple Pay may have been late to the game, but it’s already leading the way with a new rewards program — and it’s awesome.

Dubbed “Tap 10,” the program offers up free Google Play content simply for using Android Pay on a regular basis, and there’s even a mention of Chromecast giveaways.

Amazon gives Apple TV and Google Chromecast the finger

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Apple TV 4 brings iOS apps to the big screen.
Apple TV 4 brings iOS apps to the big screen.
Photo: Apple

The most popular online retailer in the world, Amazon, is using its e-commerce powers to put the hurt on Apple and Google’s streaming devices in order to prop-up the Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV stick.

In an email sent to marketplace sellers, Amazon told employees it will stop selling Apple TV and Google Chromecast. No new listings for the devices are allowed, and all other existing inventory is scheduled to be removed by October 29th.

Google doubles down on dongles with new Chromecasts

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chromecast-gets-much-needed-updates-from-google-image-cultofandroidcomwp-contentuploads201509new-Chromecast-jpg
New design, new features, new Chromecast. Photo: Google
New design, new features, new Chromecast. Photo: Google

Google’s inexpensive TV dongle is finally getting a much needed update today as the tech giant revealed two brand new Chromecast models at its press event in San Francisco. Google also loosed a redesigned Chromecast app, Photos support, and Spotify for the video device. The newly-designed TV-centric Chromecast dongle (which comes with an integrated HDMI cable) and a brand-new audio device named Chromecast Audio (also in an delightful dongle design), are both available starting today for $35 each.

Liveblog: Get the scoop on Google’s new Nexus, Chromecast and more

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liveblog-get-the-scoop-on-googles-new-nexus-lineup-image-cultofandroidcomwp-contentuploads201505052815_GOOGLEIO_-9050-jpg
Google's Nexus event is starting soon! Photo: Google
Google’s Nexus event is starting soon! Photo: Google

After months of leaks and speculation, Google’s new Nexus smartphones are almost here. In just one hour, the company will kick off its big keynote in San Francisco to announce the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P — and maybe even more.

You can follow the whole thing in our liveblog right here starting at 9 a.m. Pacific.