Google’s Chromecast Now An Open Platform As Company Launches SDK For More App Support

Google (NASDAQ:GOOG), on Monday, released a Cast Software Development Kit, or SDK, for app developers interested in building Chromecast support into their apps and websites.

According to Google, the release means that even more movies, TV shows and music will become available on Chromecast -- the company’s $35 HDMI dongle -- as developers work with the SDK.

“Just be on the lookout for the cast button in your favorite apps and websites across Android, iOS and Chrome,” Ambarish Kenghe, product manager for Chromecast at Google, said in a blog post on Monday.

Developers who want to bring their content to the big screen can visit the Google Developers Blog for more details while users of Chromecast can keep an eye on a list of apps that work with Chromecast at chromecast.com/apps.

Google said that developers are not required to write a new app while using the Cast SDK. Instead, they simply have to incorporate the SDK into their existing mobile and web apps to beam their content to a television.

The company also said that all Chromecast devices have already been updated to the latest software with support for the Google Cast SDK. The SDK for Android will be available in a few days as part of the Google Play services 4.2 update, while the iOS version of the kit is currently available.

Check out the video here:

Chromecast was released in July, bringing Netflix, YouTube, Google Play TV, movies and music streaming to HDTV sets with an HDMI slot and available Wi-Fi. Ever since its launch, the dongle, which is compatible with Android, iOS, Mac and PC has added support for other services such as HBO GO, Hulu Plus, Pandora, VEVO and Songza, among others.

“With the Chromecast, we're resetting consumer applications,” Rishi Chandra, Chromecast's director of product management, told CNET. “People should expect their phones or tablet applications to just work on the television.”