Google Chromecast: Why it is different
I purchased a Google TV (Logitech Revu) unit about a year and a half back. My main TV is not a smart one, rather it is a large format TV. Seeing advertisements for smart TV all around, I decided to experience it without changing the TV and that prompted me to buy a Google TV. After the initial excitement is over I realized that Google TV is nothing but a large Android device. I like Androids but I realized here that the Apps and other facilities are designed for TV and are very limited. It didn’t look like that Google really wants to pursue Google TV related Apps very seriously. I always wondered why I need that as I can always get the same facilities by attaching a large monitor to my desktop.
So, when I came across Google Chromecast as a device I didn’t have much expectation from it. What lured me is a very low price (Around 35 USD) initially. I thought that I can equip my other TV with Google TV like facility with a fraction of its price. It arrived in a small but attractive pack. While opening the package I realized that this little device needs a separate power connection!! Now that irritated me because, the way my TV is placed, it doesn’t have a spare power socket. But, hold on….a nice cute diagram attached in the box tells me that it can be powered by a USB slot too!! That was cute; just attach the Chromecast (it goes into the HDMI slot) to a USB slot via the cable provided with it.
The setup works like a charm, though in the first attempt the setup failed to complete when I tried it through a desktop PC. I gathered from the error message that first time set-up should be carried out from a device which is placed not more than 20 feet away from the Chromecast. You need to download a small App in your Phone (Android/ iPhone/iPad) to be able to set it up from your phone. After setup is complete, Chromecast downloads necessary updates via the connected WI-fi. Unlike Google TV, Google Chromecast doesn’t give you a dashboard of Apps when ready. It rather opens a dynamic wallpaper on the TV screen informing you that it is ready to receive casts. Even if you leave the TV open without casting it changes the wallpaper on regular intervals and shows you the local time.
Google Chromecast cannot cast everything on your TV right now. It can cast selected Apps like YouTube, Hulu, Netflix, HBO Go, Pandora etc. This list is ever growing. This simply means that when you download the corresponding Apps in your phone/tablet, you will get a casting icon inside it. When you press that, you will be prompted to select a suitable Chromecast (if you have multiple one). The casting icon is normally white. While casting anything, it turns blue.
You get all these in a smart TV too. So, why do you need a Google Chromecast? It is attractive because it can cast almost everything whatever you can perform through a browser. You need to download Chromecast extension in your Google Chrome browser. While your Chromecast is set-up, pressing Chromecast extension will show you the available Chromecasts in your network. You can easily cast a specific browsing tab in your TV. Probably, no other device gives you this facility.
Now, do you always need to stream everything from the Internet to be able to use Chromecast? Anybody with a limited Internet data package will be concerned about that. The answer is ‘no’. You can even stream the local video or music (stored locally) from your device to TV. I found this to be the most attractive proposition. Wait! There is no Apps to do that. You need to adopt a smart trick. While you are in the Chrome browser, just press Ctrl-O. A small window will be opened to select the file you want to open. Select any media file to open it in the browser and you will be able to stream it. The possibilities are practically endless here. We all know that Chromecast is a successful device by now and Google is sending it out world-over to capture the streaming media business. I will not be surprised if I see mobile games are all coming with casting facility in near future! How about a scenario, if you are able to play Angry birds in your large TV? Of course, now also you can do it if you download Chrome Apps for Angry Birds. But what about the other exciting games which you place in your mobile frequently, like Subway surfer or Temple Run?
I have fallen in love with this cute little device. In a short span, I made all my monitors and TV sets Chromecast enabled. Low cost of possession and ultimate streaming possibilities encourage one to go for this device. What is your opinion and experience with it?
Author: Technology Blog
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