Chromecast’s home screen may get livelier with photos and weather

Currently, Chromecast users don’t have much of a choice about what they see on their home screen, but that could be changing soon if source code exposed by a Reddit user is any indication. First reported by Gigaom, the code indicates that the home screen could one day be adapted to show user photos and/or local weather information rather than the stock images users currently get. 

This kind of customization would bring the Chromecast dongle yet another step forward in its ongoing development. And if photos and weather are possible, why not other types of content? 

For those unfamiliar, the Chromecast is a “dongle” that plugs directly into a TV’s HDMI port, drawing its power via a TV’s USB socket, or from a wall adapter. Once connected to a Wi-Fi network, the Chromecast appears as a “casting” option on Chrome Web browsers, and through supported apps on smartphones and tablets. Users find the content they want to view, then cast it to the Chromecast. From there, the device streams the information straight from the cloud, freeing the mobile device or PC’s resources, essentially turning them into remote controls. 

Presently, the Chromecast home screen can not be altered. The only workaround at the moment is a Chromecast-specific app called MyCastScreen, which allows users to compose a home screen with an Android device using various widgets and plugins. With the app, users can create Imgur gallery slideshows, display weather or traffic information, or choose a default website to appear in the frame. The user can then shut down their device while the Chromecast continues to show the “casted” screen. 

Since opening up its software developer kit (SDK) in February, the Chromecast has seen an influx in new app support, including a handful of popular apps like Vudu, Crackle, Rhapsody, and Napster. Still, the Chromecast lags behind in Roku, Amazon’s Fire TV, and Apple TV in terms of mainstream app support. With a $35 price tag and growing support, the Chromecast remains a compelling product. Adding customization to the user-facing home screen will likely only bolster interest in the device. 

Source:
www.digitaltrends.com

Posted by Editorial Team on 10:42 AM in Chromecast’s, HDMI, Home Screen, livelier, MyCastScreen, PC’s, photos, TV’s, Vudu, weather

Google Chromecast Home Screen to Have Weather and User Photo

Google's Chromecast wireless video streaming dongle will reportedly get home screen enhancements with weather forecast, according to a new disclosure.

Google Chromecast home screen, which currently shows timing with Chromecast wallpaper in the background, is expected to get the new look soon.

This information comes from a Reddit user named asjmcguire. Accoding to the revelation, while browsing the HTML source code, the user has found multiple references to weather forecast and pngs in the HTML source of Chromecast home screen that should appear for each weather condition.

The HTML source hints the home screen of the Chromecast is expected to show the weather natively and one-day forecast according to users' current location.

The HTML code also contains icons being used to display the weather, which looks like the photo below.

Besides, the javascript code that is being used to render the Chromecast home screen suggest that Google is experimenting with several topics to be displayed at the home screen. This includes a reference of personal photos.

A Google spokesperson, when asked about the company's plans on adding weather to Chromecast, has replied saying, "We're always experimenting with new features, but have nothing new to announce," to Gigaom. 

Earlier in February this year, Google launched the Google Cast Software Development Kit (SDK) for developers allowing them to build support for Chromecast into their apps on Android, iOS and the Chrome operating system.

Following this, developers have been experimenting with adding weather forecast and other related information to the Chromecast. Below is the note by Reddit users about Chromecast home screen.

Weather coming to Chromecast homescreen
Hi, Just been browsing the source code for (what I believe is) the current version of the Chromecast homescreen.https://clients3.google.com/cast/chromecast/home/v/c9541b08 I noticed in the code a lot of references to weather and pngs that should appear for each weather conditon, the pngs currently appear to be blank - likehttps://www.gstatic.com/chromecast/home/weather/freezing.png but presumably this means we could at some stage get the weather natively on the screen. As for the Javascript for the ChomecastSetup - we get this code - var Hb=function(a){var b=H(a,6),c=2==b||3==b||4==b,b={pictureUrl:E(a,1),pictureTitle:H(a,3),pictureAuthor:H(a,2),pictureDescription:H(a,4),topicType:b,isCuratedPhoto:1==b,isWeather:c};c&&(a=H(a,7),c=H(a,3),angular.extend(b,{localityName:H(a,1),currentWeatherCondition:H(a,2),tempF:c,isFreezing:39>=c&&!H(a,6),isCold:39=c&&!H(a,6),isCool:56=c&&!H(a,6),isMild:67=c&&!H(a,6),isHot:77

Source:
www.ibtimes.co.uk

Posted by Editorial Team on 6:29 AM in Chromecast, Google Chromecast, Home Screen, HTML source, HTML source code, javascript, Software Development, User Photo, wireless