The ups and downs of being a developer and playing “Google Game” is a tricky one. Over the years we have things change, be taken down, forced out or blocked by updates. All good things to come to those that wait, and those that continue to do things behind the scenes. When the Google Chromecast came out Koushik Dutta, better known as Koush or ClockworkMod in the Play Store, created an app. This app changed names, if I remember correctly, due to copyright claims. It settled in on AllCast and away it went. It didn’t take very long for Google to push an update to the Chromecast that blocked the app from working. Koush kept working on it and make it work with various other devices like the Roku, Apple TV, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. Now that Google has released the Cast SDK for developers to start implementing Chromecast support to their apps, Koush’s AllCast app heads to the Play Store for all.
The AllCast app, for those that haven’t heard about it until now, is an app that lets you send your photos and videos from your device to various devices. Being able to play your locally saved files to through your Chromecast was always a desire of many people. The last iteration of apps that came to the Play Store from some of the bigger company names gave some support in that area, but many people prefer to support developers they know and who they have used apps of before.
There are a few things to mention before you go running off to the Play Store to and pick up AllCast. First, Chromecast support is still in a beta stage. So expect some bugs as Koush works out the bugs for various devices and other issues. Next, you absolutely have to have the latest Play Services update, which we have waiting for you over at gappsearly if you don’t have it. The app is FREE, however you are only granted about 1 minute of playback to test if it works for you. If you are happy, then pick it up for $4.99. If you do happen to have issues, there is a nice wiki all set up to help you out.
I took the free app for a test run on my Sony Xperia Z running a stock Sony Android 4.3 firmware and I had no issues at all. Fired it up and it found my Chromecast, labeled ‘Beachcast’ just as quick as the app updated. I played a video from our CES trip and displayed some photos. Looks like I will have to buy the app now. (bad images, I know. TV sits under a window with no blind)
UPDATE: Since posting this, an update to the app already arrived. Below is what changed according to the “What’s New” section.
Fix Chromecast seek
Chromecast support is now available and in beta! (Requires new Google Play Services 4.2.34)Better song info when playing music on DLNA or RokuPower/wake leak fixesBetter photo support for DLNAFix for duplicate device entries in listFix crash on startFix AllCast running and eating battery when YouTube or Netflix are in use
Source: Koush G+ via Android Community
