I have to ask: Is Chromecast going to be version limited on the Android side like most apps these...

[G+_Matt Bonnett]

I have to ask: Is Chromecast going to be version limited on the Android side like most apps these days? ie: Is it going to require a 4.3 device or will it be app-dependent given the SDK? What about the already mentioned supported apps?

 

Sadly with the state of Android there's a large mess of Gingerbread devices (albeit slowly dwindling) in the market, mine being one of them. Would LOVE to upgrade to JB but finding an inexpensive device that I can use with my carrier is difficult. So until then I seem to be repeatedly locked out of cool features. :(

[G+_Luke Olson]

Kinda doubt it, The chrome key runs Chrome, not Android its independent of the OS type and version.  

[G+_Martin Todd]

safe to assume it works on more devices than siri

[G+_Matt Bonnett]

Thanks Andrew Schwartz That's exactly what I wanted to know. :) Glad to see they're keeping it open. Hope they add the Cr-48 to the list of Chromebook support, but I certainly am not holding my breath. >.>

[G+_Joe Phillips]

"Locked out" of certain features? Is that what we call fiscally prohibitive, in the waning days of the empire? In that case, Im "locked out" of a new SUV.

[G+_Matt Bonnett]

Joe Phillips : No, more like features that in my semi-educated opinion could be made to work on earlier versions are not. Google Now I understand. That is tied more into the OS. Chrome still happens to be a sore spot as I honestly can't see myself why it wouldn't be doable on GB beyond raw resource usage (RAM/CPU). These are just two. Google Keep would be nice on GB but is not available. I'm relegated to Colornotes and syncing with Dropbox.

 

And I'm not wholly blaming Google but equally placing blame on carriers and manufacturers. I'm currently on a Droid X which has an unofficial ICS rom but lacks key functions or has broken ones. Sadly for unofficial roms this is likely the case for many with locked bootloaders and being stuck with GB kernels so narrows down a lot of device choices. Official ICS/JB roms? Funny. The marketplace is still limited to ~$400-$500+ off contract devices for the most part. Save for Google's own Nexus devices but they are GSM only. Though I am seriously considering looking at T-Mobile if they stay on the current course of things.

[G+_Joe Phillips]

For Motorola and Verizon to continue supporting the DroidX requires some human involvement. Thus the cost to support the employment of those engineers. The handset market is fairly competitive, and the Android OS is developing fast. There is a cost to supporting legacy devices. Sad that a 4 year old device is considered legacy, so I can relate to your argument on that side.

However, 4 years is almost 3 contract renewals with Verizon. Almost any high-end smartphone can be acquired from Big Red for $200, depending on the time of year you buy. Speedy turn around of your device helps ensure better resale value of your old gear to put towards the purchase of your new gear, if you are a gadget hound.

If you desire using the freshly developed products, playing "the carrier subsidy game", smartly, is generally the best value. Afterall, VZW loves customers that dont upgrade often. They see rising Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) from customers like you and I. I also use the Moto DroidX.

Consider the going price of a pre-owned latest generation iPhone. Compare that to a pre-owned Android of your desire. On your next upgrade, it might not be a bad idea to spend your contract renewal toward whatever device has the greatest resale value, generally an iPhone, and then take your earnings from selling your iPhone, and buy a fancy barely pre-owned Android of your desire.

Factoid: In almost all products offered, the Early Termination Fee of cancelling your VZW account before the contract ends, plus the purchase price of your "subsidized" handset is less than the cost of the handset at no contract pricing. Big Red loves BYOH (bring your own handset) customers best of all: Rising ARPU.