Orbis Blog » Google

Google Chromecast: The Future of Streaming?

cmeyer — Wed, 14 Aug 2013 19:27:14 +0000

On July 24, 2013, Google not only announced Google Chromecast but also made it available for purchase at the affordable price of $35. Well, what exactly is Google’s new product? Google Chromecast is a physical device, a tad bigger than a USB stick, which allows users to stream content from your Google Chrome browser to any HDTV over a WIFI connection in three easy steps. Users connect the Chromecast to their HDTV in the HDMI port as well as a USB port or wall outlet for power, connect to the Chromecast via a WIFI connection, then stream your favorite shows to be watched on your television. Users can stream online games, Youtube, Netflix, and anything else that can be accessed through the Chrome browser to their HDTV. In fact, Google provided early adopters, who bought Chromecast on the launch day, with a free 3-month Netflix subscription.

Google Chromecast was launched to compete with the Apple TV, which sells for $99.00, at a fraction of the price. The launch was an instant hit selling out in all of the major online retailers. Furthermore, Google is frantically posting job listings for their Chromecast team in order to meet production and create betas for Chromecast.

Chromecast is able to stream in HD quality to your TV in both 720p and 1080p, though some users reported a little lag in the 1080p streaming. Fortunately though, Chromecast works crossplatform on any machine that can download Google Chrome. In addition, Google is working hard to bring more support and apps for Google Chromecast.

In order for Chromecast to continue to move forward from its successful launch, Google needs to act fast in an effort to make it widely available to consumers.

And the winner is . . .

Kelly — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 18:52:48 +0000

Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google. Four powerful companies. They may have taken four different paths to get where they are today, but they are headed in the same direction. How will they fare when they go head to head?

An article from fastcompany.com highlights what they call “The Great Tech War of 2012.” One thing is certain- each of these companies will need vision and flexibility to hold on to their corner of the market. The way we communicate is constantly changing and these companies will have to anticipate and reflect that change. So who do you think will come out on top?

Google search tips

Jenn — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 19:14:46 +0000

Google is a great way to search for information on the web, but not everyone knows that you can quickly get specific information with search modifiers. Here are a few ways you can refine your searches:

1. stock: ticker symbol – This will give you stock information as well as links to relevant sites. For example, try typing in “stock: goog” and you’ll get a chart for Google’s stock, including current price and volume, as well links to other sites with relevant information.

2. define: word – This brings up definitions and relevant phrases. For example, if you type “define: megabyte” you’ll learn that it is an amount of computer memory that is approximately one million bytes.

3. conversions – Google has a built in currency converter. For example, if you type “100 USD to GBP” you’ll find out that 100 U.S. dollars is equal to 48.95 British pounds. It also can handle converting common weights and measures, like “100 gallons to liters” or “100 miles to kilometers.”