Google launches Chromecast streaming device in Europe

Google has launched its low-price Chromecast HDMI streaming stick in 11 countries outside of its home market of the US.

The device is available now in Canada and 10 European countries: the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and the Nordic countries of Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Sweden.

“Since announcing Chromecast in the US, we’ve grown to include more of your favourite apps and websites. Those numbers will continue to grow, and we want to bring Chromecast to more people around the world,” said Chromecast vice president of product management, Mario Queiroz, announcing the expansion.

Google said that apps available on the device in Europe would include Google’s own Google Play Movies and Google Play Music stores, as well as Netflix in the territories where the OTT service is live.

It also said it is working with local content providers to add more content to the device. In the UK, the BBC’s iPlayer is available at launch, in France TV Pluzz and SFR TV apps can be accessed with CanalPlay due to be added soon, while Watchever is available in Germany with Maxdome coming soon in this market.

“Chromecast will keep getting better. We recently opened up Chromecast to developers, and in a few short weeks more than 3,000 developers worldwide have signed up to bring their apps and websites to Chromecast. You’ll soon have more TV shows, movies, videos, sports, music and games to choose from,” said Queiroz.

The device is available to buy now on Amazon, Google Play and in stores. In the UK it is priced at £30 (US$49.91).