Google just keeps making their Chromecast even better. In reports from users on reddit, some Chromecast apps are seeming to now respond to media controls from TV remote controls.
The thread on the Chromecast sub-reddit has been attracting attention with a variety of users reporting various degrees of success. A list of apps which are showing limited functionality, such as Play/Pause working includes apps such as WatchESPN, HBO Go, Chrome web videos, YouTube, Allcast, BBC iPlayer, Google Play Music and TuneIn Radio.
The new function is reportedly a feature of HDMI-CEC, but so far no-one with an older, non-HDMI CEC compliant TV has reported whether this feature is working for them. It’s a strange feature to have crop up, with Chromecast not actually incorporating an Infra-Red receiver so it’s possible that HDMI-CEC, which is a two-way protocol, is required for this to work.
From Google’s end there hasn’t been any mention of this feature, although it could just be in early days. It’s possible the function is from an upcoming update to Google Play Services or a new Chromecast firmware. Either way, it’s promising, so why not try it out on your Chromecast and let us know how you go.
