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Google Chromecast on sale in Australia

At just $49, Google's new device to stream web content to TVs is a game-changer.

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2014-05-28_0135Google has finally released its media streaming Chromecast officially in Australia.

From today it is on sale in Dick Smith Electronics, JB HiFi and via the Play Store for $49.

Chromecast, which resembles a large USB stick, brings web content to TV screens: movies, music, TV shows, YouTube videos, web browsing, accessing your media server, and streaming catch-up TV.

It plugs into an existing HDMI port on Smart TVs and uses compatible apps to stream content.

The plug and play device has already signed local partners including Foxtel, the ABC and online movie streaming business Quickflix.

“The object of Chromecast is to give consumers the easiest way to get your online video and music on to your TV,” Google vice-president of product management Mario Queiroz said.

“But it’s not just about the hardware — it’s also about all the content partnerships we have developed and which we will continue to build on.”

Foxtel’s Presto for Chromecast / Android will be available from July, with an introductory offer of $4.99 for the first month, then $19.99 ongoing.

If you’re yet to embrace web content on your big screen TV, now the ability to achieve this has just been packaged into a consumer-friendly form.

Like many readers, I already have ways to stream legal content to TV , for reviewing and catch-up purposes, and it’s absolutely revolutionised the way I consume content.

Oh happy day.

Source: Ausdroid, The Australian

13 Responses

  1. Spent an hour trying to set it up yesterday using my Samsung phone.

    Not terribly successful and having to use the mobile as a remote is really off putting.

    Think I’ll return it to JB and check out the (more expensive) Apple TV unit.

  2. Many thanks for all the suggestion re IP’s etc. sadly and much like our rural fuel suppliers, telstra has us by the short and curlys and don’t they know it.

    Now with the added insult of being permanently stuck with Mr Turnbull’s aging ‘copper’ speed limiting super slow NBN that he claims is good enough for us country hicks, where in fact the exact opposite is a prerequisite for better quality E-Health services in remote area health management,and where Mr Abbott and Co probably think that ‘streaming’ only refers to a gulley raking storm

  3. @once-upon-a-time – You should be able to get an unlimited plan $30/mth from Spintel. Line rental & phone service (free local calls) for an $80/mth bundle. Same as Telstra’s 10Gb bundle. And a Sydney call centre!
    Now, if only Telstra could provide me with a line in suburban Wollongong that would work anywhere near the speed needed. ABC24 without “buffering”?

  4. once-upon-a-time
    Can I just say – and sorry for going way off topic here – Telstra are the most expensive provider possible, so if you’re not in a (very) rural area, it may be worth looking around. Exetel & TPG are the cheapest, but even Optus will be cheaper.

  5. Yes, the streaming requires bandwidth. 2gb a month is a bit low.

    Might be worth ringing Telstra and seeing if they have a better plan. I don’t believe they have sold 2gb plans for a few years so you may be able to get higher usage for a better price (or not).

  7. This may seem a silly question to many, but as a retired person living on a very limited allocated pension, with a telstra 2GB/month bundled broadband plan(= average 65MB/day), I have never streamed any content.

    May I ask please, in assuming that streaming anything, would it require me to be on a much higher monthly GB plan and if so, shouldn’t that cost also be included in any total cost comparisons?

  8. I have a PS3 with PlayTV and the PS3 is wirelessly connected to our laptops for streaming movies. Also have Apple TV which is connected to our iPads and iPhones (which we use for the ABC, 7, Ten and SBS on line services – no 9, funnily enough). So I’m not seeing any benefit in getting Chromecast in this household.

  9. Have been using an Android STB to do the same thing for a while now but Google’s ability to form partnerships with content distributors makes this device very attractive.

  10. @The Other Man: If Netflix did come to Australia, they would have they same licensing restrictions that Quickflix do. As an example, Netflix Canada is a small shadow of its US version.

  12. It will be happy days when Netflix and Huli can legally be available on Australia.. Presto and Quickflix are trying but overpriced and content isn’t on par (due to difficulties in licensing I suppose)

    buy yes bluray players will be obsolete soon

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