There have been very few instances in my life where I had to have something. One example that sticks out in my mind was the LEGO Star Wars video game for the Original Xbox. Ever since those days back in 2005, there haven’t been many other items that I just had to have. In my opinion, 95% of consumer electronics are luxuries, something to want, but, you don’t necessarily need it. On July 24th, 2013, Google announced a revolutionary piece of tech, and I discovered something that I needed to have, and really, everyone should have.
What is it?
The Chromecast from Google is a streaming media player built to transform any HDMI-equipped television into a Smart TV, with the ability to stream movies, tv shows, music, photos and more.
A little larger than a USB Stick, the Chromecast can stream content from over a dozen live and on-demand video providers, including YouTube, Netflix, Hulu Plus, HBO Go, CTV Go, UFC TV, NFL Game Pass, MLB TV, TED, Sesame Street Go, Twitch, and NBA Game Time. Not only that, it also features apps like Google Slides for presentations, Google Play Music, TuneIn Radio, Rdio for music streaming, and gaming apps like Monopoly, Scrabble, Connect 4, and Wheel of Fortune.
Retailing for just $39 CAD ($30 USD), it’s not only one of the cheapest streaming media players out there, it comes with Google’s seal of approval with access to some of the biggest names in digital entertainment.
Design
The Chromecast’s extremely simple design features an all-black chassis, a small white LED indicator light, a reset button, a micro-USB port on one end to power it and of course, the HDMI plug at the opposite end.
The included 1ft HDMI extension cable allows the Chromecast to be plugged into a hard to reach HDMI port and the included micro-USB cable and wall adaptor allows the device to be plugged in anywhere, either through a standard wall jack or through a powered USB port on the TV.
Using It
It’s important to note that there aren’t any apps on the Chromecast itself. It’s software, a modified version of Google’s Android OS, only has a very basic interface and cannot stream any content without a phone, tablet or computer to control it.
To “Cast” content, first you’ll need the Chromecast App for Android, iOS, or Windows to set-up your device. Once you name it and it connects to the internet, you’re all set to start Casting. Open up a compatible app and look for the small casting icon at the top of the screen. After tapping it, select your Chromecast as your casting device. Now, select the content you want to stream and enjoy!
Google has done their best to make the entire process as simple as possible and making the API available for developers to integrate into their own apps. As time goes on, expect more Chromecast-compatible apps to start showing up on Google Play and the Apple App Store.
Like
What’s not to like? A Great device for a stupidly low price.
No Like
Absolutely nothing.
Should You Buy It?
Do you own a non-Smart TV? Do you have $40? Then yes, absolutely!
Overall Rating: 5/5
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