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"Google Chromecast\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChromecast\nChromecast is Google's newest living room product, which allows you to stream content from Netflix, Google Play and more to your television.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSuper Tiny\nThe Chromecast is exceptionally small, easily fitting behind most televisions.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLimited Setup\n\nIn the box you get a microUSB cable for powering the device as well as a power adapter for your wall in case your television doesn't have a USB input.\nAn optional HDMI extender in the box can be used to connect the Chromecast if your HDMI ports happen to be in a non-optimal place.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRemote Free\nThe Chromecast uses your phone or tablet as a remote control, with no \"remote\" packaged with the device.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPowered by USB\nYour Chromecast will need power from USB.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nStandard HDMI\nThe Chromecast connects to your television through a standard HDMI port.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEasy Installation\nTo connect the Chromecast to your television, you simply plug it into the HDMI port on the back.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFrom Phone to TV\nContent can be played directly from your iOS or Android device to your television using Chromecast.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nControl from Anywhere\n\nSeveral people in your home can have control of the Chromecast. Content can be played and paused from a number of different devices. \nFriends can create a collaborative playlist  of videos they want to watch on the big screen.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGoogle announced Google Chromecast on Wednesday, a new pint-sized $35 device streams content to your television from your computer, Android and even iOS device.\nThe box dubs it \"the easiest way to watch online video on your TV.\" During its press conference, Google demonstrated a wireless device that not only connects to your television while hiding behind it, but also is exceptionally easy to operate.\nSee also: Chromecast Is What Google TV Should Have Been\nAfter Wednesday\u2019s event, I tried out Chromecast and found that it's just as easy to use as it appears. \nCast Away\nMuch like Airplay on Apple devices, sending content to your television is as simple as tapping the Cast button on the screen. That sends content from the app to your television, where it begins playing.\nI fired up Netflix on a Nexus 7 and began an episode of House of Cards on a nearby TV without direction from the Google\u2019s friendly demo staff. Once the episode started, I was able to stop it using another device \u2014  a Nexus 4 smartphone \u2014 and then start it again on my tablet without unlocking the now dormant screen. Pretty slick.\nGoogle is currently working on adding support for streaming from the Chrome browser as well. I tried out the feature, which is currently in beta; it doesn't work nearly as well as the Netflix and YouTube integrations. The feature uses WebRTC, a new standard for browser-to-browser communication, and essentially engages your TV in a video chat with your Chrome browser.\nIn its current form, scrolling lags a bit and video is choppy \u2014 both issues you might face when video chatting with friends. The issues were likely intensified by the poor data connection at the demo event space.\nAfter casting content, it streams to the Chromecast dongle from the cloud, not your device. So you can use your tablet freely while a movie plays without fear of stopping the movie.\nQueue It Up\nIf you\u2019re settling in for a movie night, Chromecast supports a video queue to line up a playlist for the evening. Similar to Google\u2019s ill-fated media streamer Nexus Q for music, the device allows your friends and family to add their own contributions to the queue, creating the ultimate playlist.\nOnce a video is playing onscreen, you can add to the queue by tapping the Cast button and select \u201Cadd to TV queue\u201D \u2014 again, an exceptionally simple process. Once one video in the queue is completed, the next one automatically begins. \nThe steps were so simple that I'd be confident leaving it to a child or elderly grandparent (without fear of receiving the familiar \"the TV isn't working!\" call). It only takes the press of a button.\nLimited Selection\nFor now, Chromecast's biggest downfall is the amount of content. The options you can stream to your TV with Chromecast are fairly limited. For an app to work with Chromecast, developers must first build in the functionality; since the device was just released this morning, many of your favorite apps aren't there yet. \nFor now, streaming is restricted to Netflix, YouTube, Google Play and Chrome (in beta).  Those services certainly provide a decent selection of content \u2014 during its press conference, Google mentioned that almost 50% of content streamed from the web comes from YouTube or Netflix \u2014 but it\u2019s still not everything. I also suspect we\u2019re not going to see support for iPhoto or movies from your iPhone anytime soon.\nGoogle sent us home with a review unit of the Chromecast, so we'll have a more in-depth look at the device, including setup, in the coming days.\nWhat do you think of Google\u2019s Chromecast? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.\nImages: Mashable, Emily Price"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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