Amazon is launching Amazon Cast, a new wireless streaming protocol that, as the name suggests, should offer an alternative to Google Cast and AirPlay. The protocol should indeed allow for more flexibility in controlling Alexa-compatible speakers from your tablet, smartphone, or computer like its competitors. The problem is that this protocol is extremely limited initially.
Amazon: Can Alexa Cast really compete with Google Cast and AirPlay?
First, as it only supports a handful of speakers on the market in France. Alexa Cast works with Alexa-enabled speakers: Echo speakers, some speakers made by other manufacturers, and some Amazon Fire. Then, because Amazon is currently limiting its use to the Amazon Music app.
Of course, it’s easy to imagine how Amazon will put their feet on the toes of Google and Apple by, for example, allowing control of music, movies, and podcasts from any app compatible with the company’s ecosystem. It’s impossible right now.
But in the latest update to the Amazon Music app (for iOS and Android), a new icon gives access to a list of all compatible speakers and you can choose which one you want to play music from. . Until now, to change the speaker from an Echo speaker, as with Spotify, for example, you had to do this with sound.
That’s why the new functionality moves in the direction of simplicity. Still, we wonder why Amazon is trying to develop its own solution at all costs when Google Cast is under the open source license…
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