Chromecast wasn’t supposed to be available internationally — but if you’ve placed an order you can still get your device
A couple of days back we reported that Amazon.com was shipping Google’s Chromecast streaming gadget outside the U.S., giving international buyers an easy way to get hold of the HDMI dongle. Within a day Amazon had closed the loophole, preventing any more international orders from being placed — but not before many customers had placed orders from outside the U.S.
Today the retailer has clarified the situation in an email to customers.
In its message, Amazon describes its selling of Chromecasts outside the U.S. as an “error.” It continues, “outside of the United States, all of the functionality of this item may not be available and the manufacturer’s warranty is void.” This likely refers to the fact that the Chromecast app for Android isn’t available through Google Play outside the U.S., meaning importers would have to find it through other sources.
“You don’t need to take any action if you still want to receive the item,” Amazon says, but it advises customers who want to cancel unshipped orders, or return shipped devices, to do so through their account page on Amazon.com.
Bottom line: There’s nothing to worry about. If you placed an international Chromecast order you’ll still get your device. If you want to cancel or return it, you can do that too.