Streaming content from mobile devices to TVs wirelessly is becoming a big thing, with Google and Apple already in the market with their Chromecast and Airplay respectively. In fact Google is already rumored to be working on a successor to the original Chromecast. Now, Amazon is entering the market with a SDK it launched for developers to implement a functionality called fling.
Basically, Amazon announced a new streaming feature called fling for Android, iOS and fireOS running smartphones called fling. This will allow users to stream content to their TVs wirelessly by pressing the fling button when available. So it streams, just like Chromecast and Airplay. But unlike those two, fling also allows the two-way communications between the app and the TV, meaning interactive apps. For example, one of the applications already available in the market with Fling functionality is called Karaoke Party.
What this app does is that it display video, lyrics and audio from a song on the TV and makes your smartphone act as a microphone. This is a very intuitive feature which has endless possibilities; in fact the two-way communication is a feature into which Google is looking at for its own Chromecast.
Another advantage that this feature displays is that developers will not be required to build any additional apps for the fireTV. By using the SDK by Amazon they can add fling support to their already existing apps, saving time and money and in turn making their apps more attractive – a win-win situation for developers. Also, by not limiting the functionality to only its own OS, Amazon will potentially capture a big market share of the home entertainment market.
To be able to use fling, Amazon’s set-top box and the phone need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. Amazon launched the SDK software toolkit on July 10th. With the entry of Amazon in the living room market, and established companies like Google and Apple in the array, you can be sure of the fact the things will only heat up from here on now.
