It's not a Chromecast specific icon, it's intended to be used to select which output device to use from a list. This is mentioned in the FAQ where it's referred to as the "Cast" icon.
I agree this might be nice for certain apps, say the Youtube app, where the whole purpose of the app is to show video to the user.
I write a bunch of apps right now that have the ability to show video has one of the many functions of the app. Having to put an icon like this on every screen would take up a lot of screen real estate and I think confuse a lot of our users.
As someone who uses a Chromecast, always having the cast icon is a big plus. Yeah, it takes up real estate. But having to go digging in options to start the cast would defeat the one-click simplicity.
tmzt|12 years ago
mvelie|12 years ago
I write a bunch of apps right now that have the ability to show video has one of the many functions of the app. Having to put an icon like this on every screen would take up a lot of screen real estate and I think confuse a lot of our users.
wnissen|12 years ago