Chromecast is one of the hottest gadgets out right now. Google Chromecast does for Android devices that Apple Airplay does for Apple products but on a much more limited basis. If you are an android user, with Chromecast, you can now toss, throw, airplay (if you will) or “cast” your movies, TV shows, music, Netflix, YouTube, Google Play, and Chrome web browser to your TV.
Google says “Chromecast automatically updates to work with a growing number of apps.” I hope to see more apps soon and yes, one of those apps I want to see is an iPhone/iPad app that Google promises is coming soon. If you own an Android phone or tablet this is probably an easy BUY! But for me, as an iPhone user, the Chromecast is very limiting…especially since I have been spoiled with Apple’s Airplay functionality on my Apple TV and through Airserver on my Mac.
Why did I buy a Chromecast? Because everybody else was doing it and it was only $35. Honestly, I did not do my homeowork ahead of time. This was an impulse buy, I thought it was a mini-Google TV…a mini-HDMI Roku or Apple TV like dongle…let me amplify, it is NOT. I am disappointed that it only receives a (limited) stream from Android devices (and a few things from a computer) but it is pretty cool if you are a lover of all things Google and Android. It is not as good as a Roku or Apple TV but that is not what Chromecast is meant to be.
The price is nice but if you are looking to push content from your phone or tablet (Android or iOS) I would say invest in an adapter and a cable for your phone. My Motorola X had an HDMI out port, I just needed the cable and for my iPhone, I purchased one of these and a spare HDMI cable. Probably cost me $15 more than a Chromecast but it is easy, no install/setup, and no lag time, PLUS I am not limited to video sharing!
Check out the charts on Chromecast’s Wikipedia page.