These days, our computers and smartphones are an essential part of our lives - and one of the best sources for finding new music and movies. With all that media available at our fingertips, wouldn't it be great to easily stream it to your home TV? Well Chromecast does just that!
What is Chromecast?
Chromecast is a small memory stick-sized device from Google that plugs directly into a HDMI slot on your TV. Once it's plugged in, it can then receive media from a smartphone, tablet, PC or Mac. The device can be powered via USB, so if your TV has a USB port you won’t have any trailing wires - but even if you don't have a USB port, there is a power adapter as well, so there's no need to worry.
Once you plug the device in, there's a small set up process you'll need to go through on your computer, tablet or smartphone. For smartphone and tablet users there is an app on the Android Play Store/iOS App store which tells your device what Chromecast is, how to send media to it and add the Chromecast share button to compatible apps. For PC and Mac users, you will need to start using Google Chrome as your main internet browser if you don't already, and then visit a page to add an extension into Chrome which adds the Chromecast share button.
start streaming!
device you send media from, with no controls on the TV.
So what can you send and stream with Chromecast? This is a device that is simply made for media, so not only can you stream content you own on any device such as videos, pictures and music, but with a push of a button you can use it to send movies from Netflix, Google Play and YouTube to your TV as well!
You can sync any number of devices up to your Chromecast, so once you have set everything up you will be able to easily send content to your TV from anywhere in the house. You can also have multiple Chromecasts in one house, and individually name them, so on your device you know which Chromecast you are streaming to. Clever, eh?
When can i get it?
Chromecast doesn't have an official UK launch date or price yet, however the device is available in the US now at $35 . You can currently order it from unofficial provider Amazon.com. An imported Chromecast will work on a UK TV, so if you are looking for a handy streaming option for all your music, film and TV, this could be it!
Are you excited by the possibilities Chromecast offers for media streaming? Have you used it yet? You can let us know your thoughts in the comments box below.