Google: Introducing the 'Cast Connect' library to allow Casting to Android TV applications via the Cast protocol.

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It's a bit technical but basically, for example after HBO updates their app with the new code, this is how it's going to work:

You initiate the Casting from your phone like before, but instead of opening an HTML5 player on your ATV like it's the case now, it will open the installed HBO app and directly play from it.

You can then continue with your remote and navigate inside the app.

Ultra_HR

Cool. This is how I always thought it would work before I got an Android TV. I was sort of disappointed to find that if I have cast YouTube from my phone there's no way to then use the remote to back out of the video and find something else.

ap18

When the Xbox is on and I want to cast YouTube/YouTubeTV or Netflix to the Chromecast one of the options is the Xbox itself. It opens the Xbox native app and plays from there. It's a great feature.

tgcp

So how does this work for something account based then? The Netflix app on my Android TV is logged in as me, but if my girlfriend casts Netflix to the TV does it play through her account or mine?

rojadvocado

This sounds like the way some apps handle casting without requiring Chromecast. For example, the YouTube app on LG WebOS allows casting but the it is the app itself that enables this feature instead of the Chromecast protocol. This requires the TV to be powered on before casting can happen.

I like that for Android TV, the TV can be off and casting is still available to enable. I wonder if Cast Connect will be the same way.

robplays

So it's DIAL again?

Ekos640

neat 👍

3meta5u

I wonder if there will be any support for multiroom casting with Cast Connect?

It would be nice if my Shield could be a group member but also be controlled with a remote rather than going back to the phone when casting to speaker groups.