Songza, Vevo, Revision3 and More Come to Chromecast

Google's Chromecast is getting an influx of new content sources, including Songza, Vevo and Revision3.

The Chromecast, Google's $35 streaming dongle, already supports Netflix, Hulu Plus, HBO Go and Pandora, in addition to Google Play and YouTube. On Tuesday, Google announced that it added a slew of new apps, as well as support for personal media clouds from Plex and RealPlayer Cloud.

The two biggest content additions come from Vevo and Songza. Vevo is one of the biggest sources for music videos on the web. While Chromecast has already supported YouTube content, which often overlays with Vevo, the two sources are distinctly different.

The latest Vevo app update means you can "cast" videos and playlists from the Vevo mobile apps directly to your Chromecast. You can also use the Chromecast Chrome extension to send Vevo.com directly to the big screen.

Songza Arrives at the Party

Songza, which lets users listen to curated playlists designed for moods, activities and occasions, is one of those apps whose value really proves itself over extended use.

The playlists are curated by experts, not unlike Spotify's new Browse feature. As a result, I can listen to a "Merry Indie Christmas" playlist while it snows outside my Brooklyn apartment. Something about the dulcet tones of Sufjan Stevens makes everything better.

The Songza website and iOS and Android apps now support Google's Chromecast streaming dongle. Not only does this provide Songza fans with an inexpensive way to share a holiday playlist with a larger group, it joins Pandora in increasing the music options and choices for the Chromecast device.

Songza's mobile apps and website now sport a "Cast" icon that lets you send a playlist directly to Chromecast. You can then control playback — that is, you can take control and play something else from a laptop or mobile app.

Songza envisions this as useful for large group situations, especially with the approaching holiday party season. Along with Chromecast support, Songza launched several new Christmas and holiday playlists.

Perusing the Chromecast interface, I liked the new Songza layout. It matches the service's apps as well as the AirPlay support that it introduced for iPad in 2012.

Chromecast is the perfect device for this type of service because it benefits from the ability to cue up a great playlist without having to peruse a bunch of existing songs or collections. Just select a mood and go.

Revision3 and More

Revision3 has updated its iPad and Android apps with Chromecast support and added support to its website.

As with other apps, the key differentiator between Chromecast and AirPlay support is largely about background play. A video that starts on a Chromecast-compliant app or website can continue to play even if the original device is turned off or taken away from the general area.

Other Chromecast-enabled apps include the Plex media player, RealPlayer Cloud and Red Bull TV. Many of these services already support smart TV platforms and devices such as Roku, so it's great to see them extend their reach to the Chromecast as well.

With the new additions to content, the $35 Chromecast looks like an even better deal and it becomes a more viable competitor against the market leaders Roku and Apple TV.