Chromecast update hits Android devices worldwide, wave of apps to follow

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Good news for Chromecast developers and owners, Google has finally pushed some updated Android software development kit (SDK) support for the HDMI dongle.

Google announced on its Android Developer Google+ page that it revamped the Google Play services to version 4.2. With the update comes the Chromecast API necessary to cast content from apps on Android devices to the TV along with some freshly pushed Google Drive APIs.

Regular app shoppers won't have to do a thing, as developers will already have slotted the update into mobile applications, which can be simply downloaded or updated with the new functionality

Opening up the gates

Early last week, the search company released the Google Cast SDK to developers for building apps with Chromecast support.

However, it seems Google asked developers to hold off on releasing their new and improved Chromecasting apps. Without the now updated Google Play Services 4.2, programmers could not compile their Chromecast supported apps for submission to the Google Play Store.

Now that all the pieces have fallen into place, we all should start seeing a lot of new Chromecast compatible apps. Currently Chromecast has a dozen or so apps that can join the stream-fest including Vevo, Beats Music, HBO Go and Pandora.

It's a short list for now, but we expect it to grow exponentially now that Google has turned its walled garden into a open lawn.

• You're going to need an Android Phone for all those new Chromecast apps so why not the Motorola Moto G?