Google Fiber’s TV Boxes add support for Google Cast

Google Fiber, the company’s steadily expanding gigabit internet service, will now more easily work with Google Cast – the technology that powers Chromecast – the company announced this morning. Instead of requiring subscribers to use a device like Chromecast, Google Cast will actually be integrated directly into their Fiber TV Box, says Google.

This allows customers to turn their TVs into smart TVs, by enabling access to apps like Google Photos, streaming music services like Pandora, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and Google Play Music, as well as video services like YouTube, Netflix, HBO NOW, Showtime, and more. Chromecast, for reference, today touts access to over 200,000 TV shows and movies, 30 million songs, plus access to radio, sports, games, and other applications.

Google says that Fiber users won’t need any additional equipment or setup in order to take advantage of the built-in Google Cast functionality. Instead, they will only need to connect their mobile device to their home’s Fiber Wi-Fi, then tap the “Cast” button in the apps they want to stream from, as you would with a Chromecast device.

Cast

Google Cast hasn’t yet rolled out to all of Google Fiber’s TV subscribers yet, but will begin to do so in the “coming weeks.” We understand that the software upgrade has already begun to roll out, and though there isn’t an official timeline for this upgrade, it should reach everyone soon.

Google Fiber is currently available in a number of U.S. markets, including Kansas City, Provo, Austin, Atlanta, and Nashville, and the company has announced its expansion to Raleigh-Durham, Charlotte, San Antonio, Salt Lake City, Huntsville, and San Francisco. It’s also considering expansions in other cities. However, Google doesn’t disclose the current number of Fiber subscribers.