aNewDomain — You know those odd marionette advertisements by Direct TV? Well, the marionettes really hate all those electronic and cable-oriented wires in that bit, and I do, too. I really do. Dust bunnies are multiplying faster than real rabbits under my desk, and I’m certain it’s because of those wires.
The good news is that we are walking into the golden age of wireless, and Google has thrown a huge drop in the bucket. In January, Google unveiled Google Cast for Audio, a service that will be built into music devices like sound bars, receivers and speakers. The technology will piggyback on the Chromecast system, and it marks Google’s implementation of wireless technology.
Sound Has Been Unwired
Google Cast for Audio has two current companies with products in the market: LG and Sony. Denon has products on the way, and more companies will put the Cast technology into products later in the year. Google Cast is also not constrained to a specific OS or ecosystem — it is based on Wi-Fi connection and enabled for Android 2.3+ devices, iOS 7+ devices, Chrome for Windows, Chrome for Mac and, of course, ChromeOS.
The most obvious use for Google Cast for Audio is to stream music and any other audio from the cloud, using Google Play Music, for instance, right to your Wi-Fi Cast-enabled speakers. But, like the above device-capable list, you will not be limited to Android and Google services. NPR One, Podcast Republic, TuneIn Radio and Orpheus Music are just a few of the partnered services. The full list is here.
The Google Cast concept is utilized through an app that works on a smartphone, tablet or computer. You will see a small icon load up on any compatible device, which lets you stream any audio right to your speakers. The streaming doesn’t come from your device itself, but from the cloud, which means you can still use your device in all the ways you would normally.
Certainly gets rid of all those wires, doesn’t it?
A Path to Better Living
For many years I’ve wanted to install a complete surround sound setup in my house without any wires, save the plug for the receiver. Every time a new announcement in wireless audio tech is made, my dream becomes more of a reality.
That full dream? A home in which every room has full range surround sound pushed through speakers or sound bars, which are connected wirelessly to my home audio receiver. Independent channels for each room, so that everyone can listen to something different, if they want, or we can all rock the house to one tune. Wires are not visible because they are not there, and all of it can be controlled with my pocket smartphone.
It’s a nice dream. This is what the Internet of Things could do for my life — stuff, like easy audio everywhere, simply works. If you have that dream, too, check out Google Cast for Audio.
For aNewDomain, I’m Mark Kaelin.
Images in order: silver minipods by Menno van der Horst via Flickr; Mark Kaelin courtesy of Google; © afxhome / Dollar Photo Club
