Skip to main content

HBO Now arrives on Chromecast along with Travel Channel, Food Network and others

HBO Now may have been exclusive to Apple TV for a very short time, but it wasn’t long before it moved on. At this year’s Google I/O, it was announced that the streaming service would come to Android and Chromecast this summer.

Android devices saw HBO Now support arrive last month, and now it’s the Chromecast’s turn. This was announced alongside a whole slew of updates in a post by Chromecast director of global content Shanna Preve on the Google Chrome Blog.

Recommended Videos

While plenty of Chromecast users are going to be happy enough having their Game of Thrones or True Detective fix taken care of, that’s not the only new TV content coming to the Chromecast today. Both the Travel Channel and Food Network have added Chromecast support to their mobile apps as well.

If you’re worried about your kids not having enough to watch, Google has got you covered. Pokemon TV has also come to the Chromecast, so now “dozens of episodes featuring Ash and Pikachu are available for you to watch and rewatch as much as you like.”

Most people use the Chromecast to watch content, but that isn’t all the device is capable of, and to that end two new games are now available. Fit Flap uses a phone’s front-facing camera to “capture players flapping their arms,” while Catch Phrase Blitz is a digital adaptation of Hasbro’s Catch Phrase party game.

Last month Google made the Chromecast a more attractive option for the Wi-Fi challenged by releasing a wired Ethernet adapter for the streaming stick. The $15 adapter sold out almost immediately but is once again available for sale.

HBO Now has already been available via Amazon’s Fire TV devices in addition to Apple TV, but considering the Chromecast has now sold more than 17 million units to date, this will likely see a jump in the number of HBO Now subscribers.

Kris Wouk
Former Contributor
Kris Wouk is a tech writer, gadget reviewer, blogger, and whatever it's called when someone makes videos for the web. In his…
You Asked: Your biggest Switch 2 questions, answered
You Asked Ep. 94: Best TV For Switch 2

On today’s episode of You Asked: What’s the best TV for your shiny new Switch 2 and how does the screen compare to the OLED model we loved? We break down the top TV picks, answer your biggest Switch 2 questions, and share early hands-on impressions from launch week.

Best TV for the Switch 2?

Read more
Save $200 on Amazon’s “best yet” Fire TV and matching soundbar
A 50-inch Amazon Fire TV Omni Series with a Fire TV soundbar.

Getting a TV can actually be a stressor if you're not the type that likes to tinker with things. Since the vast majority of TVs today don't produce great sound, you'll have to go through the hassle of choosing a soundbar. But that's not all! You also have to connect your soundbar to your TV, which isn't always trivial.

That's why we like this deal that saves you $200 on a QLED TV and gives you a matching soundbar that you know will work with it and be easy to assemble. Normally the 50-inch Amazon Fire TV Omni and Fire TV Soundbar bundle would cost $600, but right now you can get it for an impressively affordable $400. Tap the button below to see the deal. Then, keep reading below to get our take on this bundle's components.

Read more
This new “ultraportable” outdoor speaker is on sale for under $60
Ultimate Ears Miniroll.

It's undeniably the season for outdoor Bluetooth speakers. Unfortunately, they can get quite expensive, with the Beats Pill (our top pick) at $150 and the premium JBL Xtreme 4 all the way up at $380. However, a good alternative is to get an Ultimate Ears Miniroll speaker. It's normally priced around $80, but right now you can get one for just $59, saving you $21. If you order it soon enough, you'll even be able to get it ahead of Father's Day, making it great as either a gift or a way to elevate your sound for the event. Tap the button below to see it or keep reading for our take.

Why you should buy the Ultimate Ears Miniroll speaker

Read more