Google launches Chromecast

Google has announced the launch of Chromecast – a dongle device that gives TVs access to web-based content.

Once the dongle is connected to the TV, Chromecast lets anyone with a smartphone, tablet or computer play shows from Netflix, Google Play and YouTube apps on home television sets. It also allows users to mirror the content in any open tab in Google’s Chrome browser using a tab casting feature

Available in the US at $35, Chromecast is almost one third the price of other devices that connected televisions to the internet, such as Roku 3 and Apple TV.

Vimeo’s president of mobile Nick Alt told GigaOm that the company looks forward to offering Chromecast support in its products.