CheapCast is an emulator that turns any Android device into a Chromecast (sort of)

The Chromecast is very cheap, even without the three months of free Netflix that Google gave away in the first day of availability. But for some, it may still be too expensive, while many others simply can’t get hold of the device due to the limited availability of the device.

For those who want to try out the Chromecast experience without the device, German developer Sebastian Mauer might soon have the perfect solution. Mauer is in the early stages of developing CheapCast, an emulator that turns any Android device into a Chromecast receiver of sorts.

The app you can see in the video is a proof of concept for now, but it should work on any Android device, including HDMI sticks such as the Favi. That means you can get at least a part of the Chromecast functionality without buying a new device. I say part because Chrome tab casting isn’t supported for now by CheapCast, though streaming media like YouTube and Google Music should work just fine. Also, streaming stuttered in the video, though we’re not sure if that’s a limitation of the app or is due to other factors.

CheapCast is still in its early days, but this could turn into a very interesting project that we’ll definitely keep you posted on.