Everybody’s favorite $35 media-streaming dongle, the Google Chromecast, has been gaining a great deal of steam as of late. Since Google opened the floodgates to allow open development for the device a short while back, the added functionality and convenience of use has arguably made the Chromecast an invaluable part of many consumers’ daily entertainment experience, myself included. After today’s announcement from PlayOn — a service that allows users to stream their favorite shows, movies and personal media files from their PC to their TV, smartphone or tablet — Chromecast is about to get more awesome than it already was.
The folks at MediaMall Technologies, the company behind PlayOn, have inked a huge deal that will bring over 100 channels, DVR capability and a uniform mobile interface to browse channels and content to Chromecast users. While the press release does not contain a full list of the channels that will be included, it does mention a few really big name networks like ABC, CBS, Comedy Central and Hulu — and you won’t even need a Hulu Plus subscription. If you’d like to get in on the action, head over to the PlayOn Chromecast page for more information. Subscription prices are extremely fair at $29.99/year or $59.99/lifetime. In most cases, the lifetime package will cost you less than a monthly cable or satellite subscription.
“Chromecast is a great, inexpensive device for cord cutters but is somewhat limited in its content and casting capabilities,” said Jeff Lawrence, CEO, MediaMall Technologies. “PlayOn gives Chromecast users a universal interface for TV-watching and vastly expands the list of available channels, and with very little fuss, it also brings a full-screen cross-browser web casting experience that users can’t get with the Chromecast alone.”
As an early Chromecast adopter, I can’t imagine life without it. I don’t pay a monthly cable bill. All I need is an Internet connection, a computer and a Chromecast (along with the help of a few really good apps) and I can watch whatever I want, whenever I want. And since I’m already paying for Internet regardless, it’s a win/win situation for me. As more and more people add the Chromecast to their personal tech collections, you have to wonder if cable companies are starting to sweat over this game-changing device, especially now that so many app developers are starting to put out such awesome apps that play friendly with the device.
Will you be signing up for a PlayOn subscription? It sounds pretty tempting to me, but we’d love to know what you think. Drop us a comment in the thread below!