Google Chromecast Review

Chromecast Main

Introduction

A couple weeks ago, Google announced a small and inexpensive dongle to the unprepared public, called Chromecast. It came out of nowhere, or perhaps a US$35 device just was not worth the “leakers” attention, but whatever the reason, Chromecast stayed under the radar until its announcement on July 24th.

Google Chromecast is a small appliance that can “cast” or send your local content to your television. It supports both Android and iOS, as well as the Chrome browser on your laptop. With an open set of APIs for developers to use, we should expect to see big things from this little device in the near future. If you already use the Google ecosystem, this $35 dongle is a no-brainer, but for that price, it is a cheap way for others that want to get the content of their small screen to their big screen with as little hassle as possible.

Let’s take a closer look at this interesting device, shall we?

Chromecast Breakdown

Specifications

  • Processor: Marvell DE3005-A1 SoC
  • Cellular connectivity: None
  • Other connectivity: 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi (2.4GHz), Bluetooth and FM combo module
  • Output: 1080p HDMI
  • RAM: 512MB low voltage (1.35 V) Micron D9PXV DDR3L
  • Internal storage: Micron MT29F16G08MAA 16 Gb (2 GB) NAND Flash Memory
  • Battery: None; USB-powered
  • Dimensions: 72 35 12 millimeters
  • Weight: 34 grams
  • Colours: Black
  • Other: Compatible with a variety of devices, including both iOS and Android devices

A closer look at Google Chromecast

Setup

Here is the size of the instruction book, just those two pages, and that is all you need to get started setting up your Chromecast.

CC Instructions

This is the first screen you will see on your TV.  Just follow the instructions and within minutes, you will be casting from your device to your TV.

CC TV

Picture Gallery of Set up Images

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Chromecast is very easy to hook up – It is the easiest device I ever had to install. Everything you need comes in a little box about 6-inches square and 1-1/2-inch thick. You plug the Chromecast “stick” into your HDMI port on your TV and then plug the power cord (yes, it does require an outside power source) into either an USB port on your TV or use the supplied adapter to plug it into an outlet. Download the app on your phone from the Google Play Store and/or your laptop or PC. Chromecast will automatically walk you through the few setup steps as it connects to your Wi-Fi signal.

How does it work?

Chrome Cast Demo

Chromecast picks up information from the cloud or directly from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop via your Wi-Fi connection. Exactly how it does all of this is not known for certain, but Google servers probably do the “behind-the-scenes” work, almost “magically,” and like any good magician, the exact steps are not being released by Google.

A connection is setup using a sender Application Program Interface (API), with a receiver API running on the Chromecast device, checking things like authentication. When you tap on the Cast icon, while watching a YouTube video, for instance, it somehow pushes the video from the cloud to your TV, while allowing you to maintain control of the video via your casting device. Whether you use YouTube, Netflix or Google Play Music, it happens the same way, like magic.

At this point, the selection of apps that support Chromecast is limited. But Google promises that more, like Pandora, are coming.  With the open API, who knows what other developers will be able to come up with as well.

Chromecast Tab

Not only can you cast from several apps but you can also do so from the Chrome browser with a Chrome extension.  This feature allows anything currently showing in your browser, on either your tablet or laptop, to be cast to your TV screen.  It comes in handy for watching anything on your browser in the larger format that your TV offers.  If you are somewhere away from your TV, then your smartphone or tablet is a lifesaver, but, when given the chance, there are not many people that would give up watching content a larger screen.  The Chrome extension is still in beta; we experienced the odd occasional glitch, but fortunately not many.

Pros

  • US$35 price
  • The ability to push content to the best display and sound in your house
  • Easy setup and easy to use
  • Remote free
  • It is just plain fun

 Cons

  • Will not work with BlackBerry or Windows Phone devices
  • Only apps for smartphone or tablet are YouTube, Netflix, and Google Play Music, and Google Play Movies & TV
  • No easy way to cast pictures or music from your smartphone without uploading to Google’s Cloud
  • Not available outside of the U.S. at this time

 Conclusion

There is a good reason that Chromecast sold out within a day or two, and why some sold on eBay for $50 and up.  The device is easy to setup and offers support for the expensive equipment we already own; no other purchase is required.  It is a product that adds value to your entertainment experience, and we cannot wait for what is in store down the road as more developers jump onboard with their own Apps.

http://youtu.be/cKG5HDyTW8o

Let us know in the comments if you already have a Chromecast and whether you like enjoy it as much as we do.