Skip to main content

Update: Aereo now available for Google Chromecast

aereo will roll google chromecast may 29
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Better late than never. Although originally slated for a May 29th release, Aereo, the cloud DVR service that connects users to tiny antennae that transmit all things broadcast TV, made its way to the Google Play store for Android devices on Thursday. 

Aereo subscribers will be able to download the updated Android application from the Google Play store and stream content from their mobile device directly to the Google Chromecast. Similar to applications like Netflix and YouTube, the cast icon will appear within the Aereo application if a Chromecast is detected on the home’s wireless network. The service is currently only Chromecast-ready on Android devices, but is also available for viewing on iPhones, iPads, and iPod touch devices, as well as Mac and PCs. Of course, users can also cast to Chromecast from computers via the Chrome browser extension.

Speaking about the combination of Aereo and Google Chromecast, Aereo CEO Chet Kanojia said “The way people watch and experience television is changing and Google is a pioneer in providing consumers with more choice and flexibility in how they access and experience that media…Consumers deserve more options and alternatives in how they watch television and our team is committed to providing consumers with the best experience possible using Aereo’s innovative cloud technology.”

Of course, the length of time that new feature will be available to Chromecast users will be highly dependent on the Supreme Court’s ruling about the legality of Aereo’s service. Locked in a battle with the major broadcast networks, Aereo is arguing that the company shouldn’t have to pay retransmission fees since the signals are being picked up using an antenna for free. Alternatively, the networks are taking the opposite position and could ultimately develop their own competing service if the Supreme Court rules in favor of Aereo. 

At the moment, Aereo is currently available in multiple U.S. cities that include New York City, Atlanta, Boston, Dallas and Miami. The service starts at $8-per-month and allows users to stream local television content through the Web, as well as record up to 60 hours of programming with the $12 premium package.

Updated 6/06/2014 by Ryan Waniata: Aereo rolled out for Chromecast on Android devices on 6/05/2014, one week later than scheduled

Editors' Recommendations

Mike Flacy
By day, I'm the content and social media manager for High-Def Digest, Steve's Digicams and The CheckOut on Ben's Bargains…
What is Google TV? Here’s everything you need to know
Google TV user interface.

Much like our smartphones, tablets and computers, our smart TVs and streaming devices are powered by cutting-edge operating systems that control everything from the look and feel of your device’s menus and navigation to more unique features. That inlcudes what kind of content (apps and games) your TV will support and whether or not you'll be able to "cast" photos and videos to your new OLED using your iPhone or Android device. Every web-connected A/V peripheral has some kind of OS working behind the scenes, and the one we’ll be focusing on today is called Google TV.

Google TV goes toe-to-toe with other OS platforms, including Apple's tvOS, Amazon's Fire TV, and Roku's titular OS. Is it better than the rest? Let's unpack Google's foray into TV smartness to find out!

Read more
Google TV vs. Roku TV: which is the better streaming OS?
Roku Streaming Stick 4K.

Whether you're looking for a new TV or streaming device, two of the leading smart TV platforms and user interfaces you'll be choosing from are Google TV and Roku TV. Both of these content and navigational platforms are excellent options, with many shared pros between them.

For years, Google has provided the building blocks to smart TV brands from Sony to Hisense under that Android TV banner. Presently, the structural framework of the Android TV system is giving way to an all-new Google operating system known as Google TV. You'll find Google's latest OS running on Sony, Hisense, and TCL TVs, as well as first-party Google devices like the Chromecast with Google TV 4K and Chromecast with Google TV (HD).

Read more
Google TV gives NFL Sunday Ticket top billing, adds FAST channels
Google TV free channels.

Google announced today that all Android TV and Google TV devices in the U.S. are getting more than 25 new free channels, baked right into the operating systems' Live tabs. That brings the total number of built-in FAST channels to more than 100, meaning that you'll be able to watch all kinds of free content without having to download a single thing. It's all built in.

FAST channels refer to free, ad-supported television and can be individual shows or entire channels of content. Google didn't immediately name the 25-plus channels, but said they include the BBC and Lionsgate. (You can see a big list of them here.) And that's on top of the others that were added in the spring, which brings a ridiculous 800 or so channels (more or less) to the platform. Whether they have what you want to watch? That's completely up to you. But it's free.

Read more