Google Chromecast - Why everyone should own one
In doesn't matter, whether you are a Google fanboy or not, you have probably at least heard of the Chromecast. For the 1 % reading this and not knowing, it's a small thumb-drive like device, which plugs into your TV via a standard HDMI port and can be used to watch content from the internet on a bigger screen than the one on your smartphone. A pretty simple idea.
The thing which differentiates this "streaming device" from others like the Apple TV or Roku is the simplicity. There are is no main menu, homescreen, apps...
After the initial setup, what you are presented with is the time, date, a given device's name, and a slideshow of pictures from locations around the world. This can be later changed to show your own, for example family photos, pulled from Google Photos. Which brings me onto a great point. All the controls are done through a minimalist smartphone app (available for both iOS and Android).
When it comes to the most important part, the actual content, you just search for whatever you want in your mobile app of choice (it most likely already supports Google Cast) and just start watching on your phone. Then tap the Cast icon and select your desired Chromecast. That's it, you are watching YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, etc. on the big screen.
This is how today's TVs should work. Nothing new to learn, no extra remotes, all the content you already watch. The overall simplicity brings the most appealing positive point of this product. The price.
I have been showing the first-generation Chromecast, but Google has replaced it with the second-generation a while ago. With two slightly different products, to be exact. The "regular" Chromecast, which has slightly better internal components compared to the first one (and a different design), plus the Chromecast Audio, a device with the same working principle, it just doesn't connect to your TV, but to any speakers via a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack, so you can for example listen to Spotify on your favorite set of speakers. Each costs 35 $, but it doesn't take long to find them somewhere for less.
Just to make everything clear, even if you buy a Chromecast, it will probably not make you cancel your "traditional" cable TV subscription, but it might get you a bit closer to the promised TV of the 21st century.
The thing which differentiates this "streaming device" from others like the Apple TV or Roku is the simplicity. There are is no main menu, homescreen, apps...
After the initial setup, what you are presented with is the time, date, a given device's name, and a slideshow of pictures from locations around the world. This can be later changed to show your own, for example family photos, pulled from Google Photos. Which brings me onto a great point. All the controls are done through a minimalist smartphone app (available for both iOS and Android).
When it comes to the most important part, the actual content, you just search for whatever you want in your mobile app of choice (it most likely already supports Google Cast) and just start watching on your phone. Then tap the Cast icon and select your desired Chromecast. That's it, you are watching YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, etc. on the big screen.
This is how today's TVs should work. Nothing new to learn, no extra remotes, all the content you already watch. The overall simplicity brings the most appealing positive point of this product. The price.
I have been showing the first-generation Chromecast, but Google has replaced it with the second-generation a while ago. With two slightly different products, to be exact. The "regular" Chromecast, which has slightly better internal components compared to the first one (and a different design), plus the Chromecast Audio, a device with the same working principle, it just doesn't connect to your TV, but to any speakers via a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack, so you can for example listen to Spotify on your favorite set of speakers. Each costs 35 $, but it doesn't take long to find them somewhere for less.
Just to make everything clear, even if you buy a Chromecast, it will probably not make you cancel your "traditional" cable TV subscription, but it might get you a bit closer to the promised TV of the 21st century.
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