Google launched its Chromecast TV streaming device a few months ago, becoming wildly successful as it sold out in the first day. The success was due in part to the price, which was only $35.
The streaming service had one major issue though which was it lacked several major content partners. Google then made a few more changes and announced several new apps for Chromecast, but a glaring omission was still HBO Go. Well that all changed today as Google announced that the app will be coming to Chromecast.
As reported by theverge.com:
“HBO Go can finally stream to the Chromecast. From both its iOS and Android app, HBO Go will now allow users to stream directly to Google’s media player, filling in one of the Chromecast’s biggest missing services. With today’s addition, Chromecast can now stream from Pandora, Hulu Plus, Netflix, and YouTube, giving the device access to many of the most popular content providers around. It was a long wait — the app was reportedly in the works from the time that Google’s streaming device was announced — but getting HBO on board has never been the quickest task for any media player.”
Google’s $35 Chromecast will now be a serious contender in the device streaming arena. It is especially compelling to users because it is compatible with iOS and Android devices, something that Apple TV doesn’t, and at $35, it is signally cheaper than anything on the market.
Of course this is the way Google works best to disrupt markets. It offers something for little or no cost, and makes up for it with advertising revenues. Google has tried to disrupt the TV market before and failed. However, now that Chromecast has added HBO Go to round out all the popular TV apps, they may be onto something that will sell in volumes, especially for this upcoming holiday season.
Check out the HBO Go Chromecast launch video below.
