Google’s play for the TV and Video market in Australia has been a very slow one, Google was extremely late bringing Google Play Movies, to our shores and even later bringing TV content. With the launch of Chromecast in Australia, they’re beginning to get serious about making a dent in the massive juggernaut that is Apple’s iTunes eco-system, but to do that you have to get people on-board with purchasing content from Google Play, and what better way to do that than by giving away some credit?
Australian customers who purchase a Chromecast from Google Play or retailers Dick Smith or JB Hifi, are eligible to claim $6 worth of Google Play Credit. The offer which runs until the 1st of July according to the Google Play Terms and conditions offers credit, which is ostensibly for purchasing or renting a movie or TV show from Google Play Movies & TV, but is added to your account just like normal Google Play Credit, so you can in fact use it for anything. The credit does have a time limit on it, with Google advising you have to use it by the 1st of July 2015 or it will expire.
To claim your $6, you’ll need to be connected to the same WiFi network as your Chromecast. Then, simply head to cast.google.com/chromecast/offers/ and follow the instructions. You’ll need to have the Google Cast Chrome Extension installed (So obviously you’ll need the Chrome browser), but it’s a fairly easy procedure. Once you’ve set it up, you are directed to Google Play where you redeem a code for your $6 credit.
This is obviously no comfort to those people who have faced the bug in Google Play Movies & TV, who currently are unable to cast from the app, but it’s something.
