[FEATURE] Add Chromecast Support

[troycarpenter]

It would be nice if the app could cast music to Chromecast enabled devices.

At home, it is not uncommon for us to cast music and podcasts from our mobile player for everyone to enjoy across our Chromecast speakers.

[icefields]

Chromecast support is on my roadmap, but it's not the top priority at the moment. I'm developing a separate installable plugin for Chromecast and Android Auto.

The challenge is that the libraries for these platforms are proprietary, and I want to keep PA2 fully open-source and free of trackers and ads. Any Google-related feature would require Play Services, which involves Google trackers and will compromise your privacy. To address this, these features will be available through an optional plugin that I’m developing, installable separately.

The FDroid version of Power Ampache 2 will never have those feature, since FDroid doesn't allow the use of closed source libraries.

[troycarpenter]

Sounds great. I like the Android Auto nod as I use my media players all the time in the car. I understand and appreciate the privacy angle as well (but I also like things to work with minimal fuss). I'm really looking forward to testing and eventually moving to this app. I've been "stuck" using an older *sonic client that is getting long in the tooth. Right now I'm testing on a phone sideloading the app from the Github repo, but I would eventually like to move to the paid one in the Google Store when I'm sure it become a daily driver (my company phone is only allowed to install from the Play store). I will then recommend it to my other users (family, about 10 or so).

[icefields]

Totally understand. Having a plugin downloadable separately for free is the cleaner and most scalable (ie. updated to google features won't affect the main app) way to develop Google-related features without affecting the open-source and track-free features, while at the same time making everyone happy (hopefully). Work has started already, but I'm currently prioritizing the widget, tablet UI and multi-user, plus the usual bug fixes.

Thanks for spreading the word about Power Ampache 2. Use this promo code to download Power Ampache 2 from the play store for free from your work phone (If you want, you can always make a donation later):
AHUKQKHMM655NTX6X03JDAF

ps. It's single-use. Use it before anyone else sees this!

[troycarpenter]

Thank you very much. Downloaded just fine and now I can test on my daily use phone.

[potagerGit]

+1 for Android Auto Feature Request !

[icefields]

I predict that I will start testing the plugin in about a month

[Maxi2555]

Hello, Is the Chromecast Plugin already avaliable, and do I need the Playstore version to use it?

[icefields]

@Maxi2555 I'm still working on it, I think I will release a beta around the end of January.
You don't need the Playstore app, any version of the app will work with the plugin.
The plugin itself won't be available on FDroid because it contains proprietary libraries, but it will be free to download from the PlayStore and Github.