Along with Android 4.3 launch, Google also unveiled Chromecast, Google Cast SDK and a new version of its 7-inch Android tablet, Nexus 7 at a press event in San Francisco. Here is a quick lowdown at all the announcements at the event: Chromecast: In what was probably one of the most significant announcements from the event, Google launched a Chrome OS-based wireless HDMI dongle for high definition televisions called Chromecast which allows users to wirelessly stream online content (videos, music, photos) from their phones, tablets and laptops to the television over WiFi. Its essentially Google's answer to Apple's AirPlay technology albeit a few changes - Apple's AirPlay allows users to stream local content from their iOS devices as well, while Chromecast is currently limited to online content only right now. On the other hand, AirPlay is limited to iOS and Mac devices only while Chromecast is cross platform, in the sense that users can make use of the YouTube app on an iOS device or Chrome browser on Windows or Mac to stream content. While streaming, it converts the sender device into a remote and users can apparently control playback, adjust volume from the device and in case of videos, queue up several videos into a playlist from the device. Google has currently signed up third party content services like Netflix and Pandora as its content partners for the service. While Netflix is already on board, Pandora is expected to add support sometime soon. It also claims to add more content partners shortly. What's also particularly…
