Google will release a firmware update for the Chromecast dongle that provides limited support for pausing and (re)starting videos through the HDMI-CEC protocol. This makes it possible to use the remote of a large number of TVs to control the Chromecast.
Chromecast already partly supports HDMI-CEC which allows the dongle to automatically turn the TV on and select the right HDMI-input as soon as a mobile device sends a command to the HDMI-stick. Support for HDMI-CEC has been expanded in firmware update 27946. Users on Reddit report that videos in several apps can be paused and restarted using the remote of the TV. Mentioned apps are Watch ESPN, HBO Go, Chrome web videos, Youtube, Allcast, BBC iPlayer, Google Play Music and TuneIn Radio. Netflix doesn't appear to be supported yet.
Despite that videos on Chromecast can be paused and restarted with the remote of a large number of TVs, other commands like stop and (fast)forward are not supported. It's unclear whether Google will add these controls with a future update.
The HDMI-CEC protocol, where CEC is an abbreviation for Consumer Electronics Control, is part of the HDMI specification and allows devices connected to a TV to communicate with eachother. Although the exact implementation of HDMI-CEC differs per manufacturer, it allows controlling many devices through the remote control of the TV.
HDMI-CEC is often named differently by TV manufacturers and is known as e.g SimpLink, Anynet+, Bravia Sync and EasyLink.
