Google announced today that it’s adding Pandora to its short list of apps running on Chromecast. The list so far include Google Play Movies and TV, Google Play Music, YouTube, Netflix, Hulu Plus, and now Pandora.
Google can generate so much more interest from this popular streaming player if they release a few more apps like Spotify, IHeartRadio, access to major networks, cable networks like HBO, etc, and access to premium content in major league sports.
Most of all, Google should release an app for playing local media files soon. There’s a work around for playing local files now by simply dragging them into the Chrome browser, but the quality of the stream and speed are not quite there.
I’m not sure why Google is dragging their feet. Google is letting Roku, Apple TV and others react to the initial shock and novelty of the unique features of Chromecast when it was first introduced.
Eventually, competitors will come out with similar features, but the $35 price point is a major selling point for Chromecast in this tight competitive market.