![]() ![]() Google claims the Chromecast will stream video significantly faster thanks to the addition of 5GHz Wi-Fi network support and a new ‘Fast Play’ feature. Basically, you can use your voice make Netflix start playing on your TV. The latest update brings integration with the Google Home. ![]() Those that are present are fairly casual – Wheel of Fortune, for example, rather than Sonic the Hedgehog. Sadly, as is the case with most streaming sticks and entertainment hubs, the quality and quantity of streamable games on the Android Store is lacking. On paper, the gaming feature is another big update that puts the Chromecast on a par with larger streaming boxes, such as the Amazon Fire TV. The ability to stream webpages from open Chrome tabs is another welcome addition, making it easier to stream unsupported applications – such as DeviantArt – onto TVs.įinally, the some Android games are supported. I can see it being adopted by small offices looking for an easy way to stream presentations to a big screen. These include Google’s own Docs as well as third-party services such as Polaris Office.įor me, this one of the most interesting updates to the device. The first Chromecast didn’t have the functionality to let you stream music from Spotify to your TV, which was annoying for those who didn’t have a decent Bluetooth speaker or home sound system.Īlso new to the Chromecast is support for productivity applications. For entertainment, Spotify is the biggest new addition. It now supports a greater number of apps. This is one of the biggest and most important updates, moving the device from a basic streaming stick into an all-in-one entertainment hub. There is a cross-platform search function in the Home app, enabling you to hunt for specific content across your installed apps. You could see what movies are on Netflix alongside recently added TV shows on the BBC iPlayer, for example. In theory, this means you can view every bit of content you can watch on the Chromecast in one place, without having to individually check each app. It works by pulling content from all the apps installed on the device that it can stream from into a single-pane of glass interface. Google describes the app as a hub for all your digital content needs. Chromecast – The New Appĭespite having the same setup process, the latest Chromecast runs using a completely redesigned application. Once this is done, you’re ready to stream. Simply attach the power cable and install the Chromecast app (now named the Home app) on your smartphone, tablet or laptop.įrom there you power up the app and follow the on-screen commands to connect the device to your Wi-Fi network and pair it with your device. The setup process is pretty much identical to the one with the original Chromecast. This compatibility – combined with the Chromecast’s low cost – makes it a compelling alternative to the Apple TV, which costs £129. Google has also made the system cross-platform, adding support for iOS and Windows. Now the device has a round chassis that connects to your TV’s HDMI port. The second Chromecast has a completely reworked design, straying considerably from the ‘stick’ format of the original. Philips TVs 2018: Every new OLED, LCD, 4K and HD model explained Chromecast – Design and Setup Sony TVs 2018: What you need to know before you buy Bravia Check our comprehensive guides below to see if a particular model has this operating system. Many TVs by Philips and Sony use the Android TV operating system, which means Chromecast functionality is built into the TV. That being said, you may not need to get a Chromecast at all. And Google still has the advantage of smart home integration, thanks to the Google Home voice assistant. Neither of them are as simple to use, however. Of course, other rivals have begun to encroach on Google’s territory – the Roku Express and the Amazon Fire TV Stick are the latest to offer crisp 1080p streaming. The second-generation version came out towards the end of 2015, and is so good it’s still going strong. It helped that it was a tiny device that could plug into any HDMI socket – and cost a piddly £30. It was the perfect time for Google to carve itself a niche.Įveryone has a smartphone, right? So what if you can choose your content on the screen already in your hands, then ping that over to your TV? The idea took off, and the original Chromecast was a massive hit. When the first Chromecast came along, video streaming was still a fairly fresh concept.
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