Google could be set to enable Android screen mirroring on its Chromecast dongle, according to a recent report.
The compact digital media player may enable Android users to push supported app content to their TV sets, but it still doesn’t enable direct mirroring like Apple TV. That’s all set to change, however, with the Android 4.4.1 update that’s slowly making its way to Nexus devices.
Arch Android tinkerer and CyanogenMod cofounder Koushik Dutta has been exploring Google’s additions to its Android 4.4.1 code, and has discovered some interesting new APIs. Specifically, there are some that relate to video output from the Android device.
It appears as if Google will enable the ability to mirror your Android content to your TV through Chromecast “very soon.” This is reinforced by the fact that the former Wireless Display option within the Android settings menu has been changed to Cast Screen.
Alas, if you’re expecting Android’s open nature to enable you to output to Apple TV, Roku, or some other rival TV box, you’ll be sorely disappointed. Only Google and the handset manufacturer can access these new APIs.
Chromecast is only currently available to UK customers through the likes of Amazon, as Google still hasn’t made it officially available outside of its native US some five months after its launch. At the time of writing, you can expect to pay around £40 for the privilege.
Google Chromecast is available for $35 on the US Google Play Store.
Next, read our pick of the best TVs of 2013.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
