Better Wireless Streaming With Google Cast for Audio

BreakingModern — Just like those strange people at Direct TV with their weird marionette commercials, I really hate the multitude of wires connected to my electronic devices. I’m looking at a dust bunny’s nest of wires under my desk right now and it’s making me depressed. Surely, with all of the wireless technology we have available today, there must be a way to eliminate at least some of the required wiring.

Well, on Jan. 5, 2015, Google announced a new development in wireless technology that may help eliminate at least some of my dust-bunny habitat. Piggybacking on the success of the Chromecast system, we will soon see Google Cast for Audio embedded in devices like speakers, sound bars and receivers. This is fantastic news and long overdue.

Unwired for Sound

Google Cast for Audio-enabled speakers and sound bars will soon be available from companies like Denon, Sony and LG. Other companies will market Cast technology products later in 2015, and there should be many choices available by the end of the year. Google Cast is compatible with Wi-Fi enabled Android 2.3+ smartphones and tablets, iOS 7.0+ iPhones, iPads and iPods, Chrome for Mac, Chrome for Windows and ChromeOS. Google has really covered its bases.

Google Cast for Audio will allow you to stream music and other audio content from the cloud directly to the Wi-Fi networked speakers using apps like Google Play Music. But you’re not limited to just Google and Android services: You can stream services like NPR One, TuneIn Radio, Podcast Republic, Orpheus Music Player and dozens more. The Google Cast website has the complete list if you want to look for your favorite service.

Using the Google Cast app on your smartphone, tablet or computer allows you to control what audio is streamed to your speakers. However, because the streaming comes from the cloud and not your device, you can use your device to perform other tasks while the audio streams.

All in all, it’s an elegant solution to the “too many darn wires” problem.

Better Living

I have been waiting for a way to have full surround sound in my living room without stringing wires all over the place for years now. So any time we get news of advances in wireless audio technology, I take notice. Technologies like Google Cast for Audio and Wi-Fi built into speakers and audio equipment makes me happy.

Here is my dream audio setup: I imagine a home where every room has full range surround sound with speakers and sound bars connected to my audio receiver wirelessly via the home network. Each room has an independent channel so different audio can be played in each room, if desired. All of this audio power can be controlled via smartphone or other mobile device. There are no wires, so each room is clean and free of the dreaded dust bunnies. Isn’t that a pleasant dream?

When I think of what the “Internet of Things” means, this is it. The IoT is practical, seamless and ubiquitous. In other words, stuff just works. Google Cast for Audio brings us one more step toward that ultimate goal.

For BMod, I’m .

Featured image credit: silver minipods by Menno van der Horst via Flickr

Screenshot: Mark Kaelin Courtesy of Google

Image credit: © afxhome / Dollar Photo Club

Mark Kaelin

Author: Mark Kaelin

Based in Louisville, KY., Mark W. Kaelin is a tech and gadget writer who also covers fine living for us here at BreakingModern.

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