Google Chromecast Root Released, Opening Up All Kinds Of Possibilities [VIDEO]

[evilsatan]

When Google announced its new Chromecast streaming dongle, the response amongst the technology world was split into two camps. Some shrugged their shoulders and said that it did nothing that Apple’s Apple TV and AirPlay didn’t already do. Others lauded the possibilities created by Google’s cross-platform approach to something that had previously been an Apple-only affair. We sat somewhere in the middle of those two options, but now we’re getting more excited, and with good reason.

That reason, as is so often the case, is that the modding community has taken the bull by the horns by successfully rooting the Chromecast, mere days after it was announced.



Google’s $35 streaming dongle is already the star of a YouTube video showing that the device is already able to be rooted – potentially opening the doors to all kinds of possibilities. Google has never really been known for tying down any of its technologies too hard, and Android is already one of the most open operating systems on the planet, both in a good and a bad way.

According to GTV Hacker, the Chromecast has only been rooted enough to confirm that the device does not run Chrome OS, but is actually a modified version of the Google TV operating system, which in itself is a modified version of Android, with some of the inner workings removed. It is still obviously very early days in the Chromecast hacking scene, but this is sure to be the start of all kinds of weird and wonderful things for the little HDMI stick.



As it ships, the Chromecast is a way for users of just about any platform as well as the Chrome web browser to take content and display it on a television equipped with one of Google’s new sticks. The fact that the device has Wi-Fi built in means that it could potentially be a big player in the homebrew video and audio streaming scene, just as the original Apple TV and the first Xbox did.

Let’s hope we’ve just witnessed the birth of something really, really cool.



Source

[evilsatan]

This should be a little more interesting...

[CzarJunkie]

Now I'm interested.

[DavidF]

Yes im very interested too. Shame it will cost £100+ in the UK as per. Amazon.com wont ship to UK. Ebay has a few up for grabs on pre order for £75+ with shipping extra.....as usual what should be a nice cheap solution has everybody with their hands out.....obviously the aim here is that one day XBMC or the like will be on this thing. If anyone can think of a decent way to get these shipped to UK at a normal price with a obviously postage on top then please tell. Maybe even a group buy would save us all on shipping.

[mikerr]

I'm still not sure if the chromecast needs usb power or not ?

Can it run from HDMI power only ?

[evilsatan]

I'm still not sure if the chromecast needs usb power or not ?

Can it run from HDMI power only ?

It uses micro USB as a power supply, AFAIK there are no HDMI powered devices yet as the current is so low on the 5v feed, I think it is just used to auto-switch to the source and send signal.

[mikerr]

BTW you can get it for £59 all in off eBay ( 251315824754 )

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Google-Chr...-/251315824754

[keeptalking]

I recently came across some information about MHL https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile...efinition_Link which uses HDMI cabling and can provide 5v - however, your TV and the device you're streaming from both need to support it - Chomecast doesn't, at least not in the initial version; I guess this could change.

[tronads]

I was going to get myself one of these from BestBuy for $35 when I go on holiday just incase the root leads to anything funky on it.....however on reflection, I'm not so sure....its wifi, so anything HD is out of the question.....Im not sure it has much potential.

[Nathz29]

Just ordered one of these from Amazon US, they will now ship to the UK, £35.00 in total includes shipping and taxes.

[Ginnerfreak]

Just ordered one of these from Amazon US, they will now ship to the UK, £35.00 in total includes shipping and taxes.

Will it only have the UK setup though.. Will it not be loaded with US content..

[Nathz29]

Good point, from the bit if reading I did it should work fine in the uk, actually bought it to root and put xbmc onto it for a bedroom tv, so its not really an issue for me.

[Ginnerfreak]

Good point, from the bit if reading I did it should work fine in the uk, actually bought it to root and put xbmc onto it for a bedroom tv, so its not really an issue for me.

Didn't realize that you could stick XBMC on it.. awesome piece of kit for the money then!

[liveseytowers]

I'm not sure XBMC can be installed on the Chromecast, its not powerful enough for a start. Would like to see some links though if you can?

[Nathz29]

Sorry my bad should have been clearer, not install xbmc onto it but stream from xbmc onto it from a nexus 7 well that's the plan

[SiE]

i bet it will run plex client before you get anything close on xbmc.

[Nathz29]

I d agree but never really taken to plex prefer xbmc

[beerman]

I d agree but never really taken to plex prefer xbmc

I'm a recent convert after buying a Samsung TV which had Plex available on its app store. I loaded up Plex server and now have it streaming to my laptop, phone, tablet whilst out the house. I've even shared my content with my Mum and a few friends who regularly stream from my server.

[blaggard]

I ordered one from Amazon last night, about £50 all in from a UK source (cheaper if from the States but once VAT and Customs get added on. .) Anyway the retail here is likely to be close to £50 I reckon, I'll update as I see how it performs. . .