Google has sent the new Chromecast SDK out to developers this morning. Finally, developers will be able to create custom apps for Google's bite-sized media streaming device.
The SDK is called Google Cast Software Development Kit and is available now to all developers. Previously, the Chromecast SDK was only available to big-name companies like Pandora, HBO and Netflix. Now that Chromecast has proven to be popular and very successful, Google is reaching out to other developers in hopes of widening the range of apps available on Chromecast.
For months, developers have been eagerly awaiting the release of an all-access SDK for Chromecast, so you can probably expect to see a flood of Chromecast apps become available in the coming weeks.
"With the Chromecast, we're resetting consumer applications," said Rishi Chandra, the director of product management for Chromecast. Once developers start making apps, Chandra says that everyone "should expect their phone or tablet applications to just work on the television."
Chandra expects that many TV networks and video streaming websites will make apps for Chromecast, but he also believes that there are a lot of avenues out there for developers to pursue with Chromecast.
"Gaming is an exciting opportunity for what you can do with Chromecast," Chandra added. "It's exactly the right model. The fact that it works with your iOS phone and Android tablet and Windows laptop is true multiscreen. There's a lot of potential there,"
The Chromecast SDK will also allow developers to simply rework their iOS and Android mobile applications for Chromecast, rather than forcing developers to create an entirely new app from scratch. Google's flexibility will certainly ensure that a huge number of applications pop up in the coming months.
Video chatting apps and other multimedia sharing platforms like Dropbox will also probably test out apps for Chromecast, too, further expanding the reach of Google's Chromecast. It will certainly be interesting to see how far developers can stretch the application of Chromecast and whether Chromecast evolves into something like Apple TV or ends up looking a bit like the multimedia experience offered on Microsoft's Xbox One.
However, knowing Google, Chromecast will probably become something else entirely; something that is original, cutting-edge and totally game changing. After all, in typical Google fashion, Chromecast costs just $35. That's a price that simply cannot be beat. Not to mention the fact that Chromecast is so small you can literally carry it in your pocket. In our mobile digital age, that kind of portability is something to which all companies must aspire.
