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While Netflix is streaming, the native app displays gorgeous full-screen artwork and controls on the Chrome browser (shown here) or iOS and Android.
After stumbling with the Nexus Q media streamer last year, Google surprised even jaded tech fans this summer with an inexpensive HDMI dongle offering cross-platform playback to HDTVs. But can the search giant rally enough support from developers and streaming services to make Chromecast viable in the long term?
This small plastic widget plugs directly into an HDMI-equipped HDTV and uses an available wireless internet connection to stream content summoned by supported mobile devices or desktop web browsers—all for a crazy-cheap $35.
At first blush, the gadget sounds like little more than a clone of AirPlay, the Apple TV feature that allows iOS devices or OS X computers to beam content to the television over Wi-Fi. With a free extension, Chromecast does a similar trick from any Chrome desktop or mobile browser, with a unique twist: supported content sources can be streamed directly to the dongle in up to 1080p, making the smartphone, tablet, or computer little more than a sophisticated remote control.
It’s a rather ingenious solution—Chromecast works beautifully on the iPhone or iPad using the latest versions of the native Netflix and YouTube apps, as well as Google Play Movies on Android devices. Whenever one or more Chromecasts are detected, these apps display a small “Play on” icon similar to Airplay—tap it, choose a destination, and the dongle begins buffering playback.
While it’s doing this, the device or computer offers a stylish, beautiful remote control interface from which users can pause, stop, adjust volume, or switch to another Chromecast. It’s a perfect scenario for modern living rooms: There’s no traditional hardware remote control, and because content streams direct to the Chromecast itself, the device controlling it is free to multitask (or sit idle) at the same time without severely impacting battery life.
Don’t be deceived—you’ll need to plug the Google Chromecast into some kind of power source, be it AC or USB.
Unfortunately, right now Chromecast is of limited value to those who don’t lurk frequently on YouTube or subscribe to Netflix. A Chrome browser extension can “cast” any window tab to an HDTV, but after being spoiled by native apps with built-in support, this approach is a bit of a letdown. There’s a lag of several seconds, and even on the highest-quality 720p HD setting, on-screen text can be difficult to read on any size screen.
Speaking of disappointments, none of Google’s marketing images disclose that the otherwise pocketable widget has to be tethered to the included AC adapter, although those who own recent HDTVs can juice up via USB instead. Otherwise, setup is remarkably easy—we did it entirely from an iPhone, connecting to the Chromecast via an ad-hoc network, and then switching over to local Wi-Fi without a hitch. Google also provides a Mac app that streamlines the process even further.
Hopefully, content providers will embrace Chromecast, but in their absence, the developer community is stepping up to the plate. Because the dongle is powered by a hybrid of Android and Chrome OS, hacks have already been created such as Fling, which allows movie files dragged and dropped from Mac or PC to be cast directly to the device; others are working to do the same with QuickTime or iTunes Store videos, which are unlikely to ever see official support for Chromecast from Apple.
The bottom line. It’s perfect for quickly and cheaply adding Netflix or YouTube to additional televisions or adding streaming options while on the go. It’s now up to Google to broaden its content possibilities or risk watching Chromecast go the way of Google TV.
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