Google’s Chromecast which is a top seller at JB Hi Fi and Harvey Norman stores has overtaken Apple TV sales according to Australian retailers.
The device that allows users to stream content to a TV or PC is also set to be in big demand when Netflix launch in Australia in March 2015 because it allows Netflix to be easily streamed to a device with a HDMI port.
Chromecast, which is a thumb-sized gadget that plugs into HDMI slots on TVs and streams videos over the Internet from YouTube, Netflix and other digital media providers.
The $49 device hit the market earlier this year in Australia and is now outselling Apple TV three to one in Australia according Harvey Norman executives.
JB Hi Fi which has Chromecast displays in all their stores reports similar sales success.
A survey of 10,000 U.S. homes with a broadband Internet connection by research firm Parks Associates found that 10% purchased either a streaming media player or stick in the first 10 months of 2014.
Roku led with 29% of sales, but Chromecast was second, grabbing 20% and supplanting the more expensive Apple TV with 17% of sales, the firm said. Amazon’s Fire TV stick was fourth with 10%.
“More than 25% of U.S. broadband households will have a streaming media player by 2015, and by 2017, there will be nearly 50 million streaming media players sold globally,” said Barbara Kraus, director, research, at Parks Associates. “Their low cost will make streaming media devices popular gifts this holiday season.”
