Confusing Managerie
I THINK Google home is a vehicle for establishing an “Android” like environment on every phone. Why else would it make many of the same features and apps available through Home as are already available through the Apple Store on my iPhone?
Fine enough, BUT, my real issue is the poor integration with Chromecast - the Google TV streaming device and spotty execution of some services.
First Chromecast: the smartphone operated controls on Chromecast are abominable. When watching TV, if my phone locks its screen after several minutes of disuse, it loses synch with Chromecast. The next time I open the phone to control playback, the controls are unresponsive. It requires resetting my app with the Chromecast before it functions again. I’m specifically thinking of Utube TV here, but the same can be said for other Chromecast apps I subscribe to.
Second, on Utube TV, when steaming to my phone and I manually lock the screen, the streaming stops! Why? Who says I don’t want to continue listening to the audio portion of a sports game or news program while I’m on the street or driving? So who made that short sighted decision?
Third, who designed the Utube TV controls? Using Slider to advance or return to a missed section of programming is all but useless; and the “rewind” / “advance” buttons can’t be programmed! What about programming “spin dial” for the slider - like Apple’s old iPod players - with a counter for the time slide?
All in all: Nice try, but no cigar.
Vic2665 about
Google Home, v1.27.1205