Google's Chromecast streaming stick has been out for the better part of eight months, but only in the US. The company is changing that today by selling it in 11 additional countries, including Canada, the UK, and much of Europe. Google says it's got localized local video apps ready for some of those places, like offering a BBC iPlayer app in the UK, France TV Pluzz and SFR TV in France, and Watchever for Chromecast users in Germany. Additional apps will also be on the way through the Google Cast SDK, which became available to developers last month.

Google's Chromecast expansion comes just weeks ahead of when Amazon is reported to be shipping its own competitor: a device that will tap into its own video service, along with Netflix, Hulu, and others. Apple too is said to be readying a major update to its Apple TV that could extend it from a simple streamer into a gaming machine and a passthrough device for controlling TVs and set top boxes.

The full list of new countries includes Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the UK. Google says it will be on sale through both Amazon and Google Play, as well as local retailers in those countries for £30, €35, and $39 Canadian respectively.