Google Set To Revolutionise TV Streaming With Chromecast
Google unveiled two pieces of hardware - the updated Google Nexus 7 tablet (www.google.co.uk/nexus/7) and a tiny smart-TV tool called Chromecast (www.google.com/chromecast). Chromecast is a 2in device that looks like a USB storage stick. Once plugged into your TV's HDMI port, it streams content from any phone, tablet (iOS and Android), PC or laptop running the Chrome browser. At $35 (about £23), Google touted Chromecast as an easy and affordable way to watch internet content on TV sets. It's currently only available in the US, but should arrive in the UK soon.
Chromecast works via apps for certain websites - at the moment, that's only YouTube, Netflix, and Google Play Movies and Music. But the stand-out feature is Chrome tab projection, a beta tool that streams to your TV what's being played on your device in Chronic. This is most useful when streaming video from sites without a Chromecast app, such as BBC iPlayer and Vimeo. You can also stream music from sites such as Spotify and Rdio. In fact, if it's in your tab in Chrome, it should appear on Your TV (with the exception of QuickTime and Silverlight videos).
Google's new Nexus 7, which runs Android 4.3, has twice the RAM of its predecessor with 2GB; and a faster processor. Google has also added a S-megapixel camera to the rear, and boosted the display resolution from 1,280 x 800 to 1,920 x 1,200. The display has a pixel-density of 323ppi, which Google said is the highest number of pixels per inch of any tablet.
IF you've been annoyed by how expensive and confusing it is to stream web content onto your TV, this is great news. The Chromecast is easy to use, unlike other expensive set-top boxes and smart TVs, which are full of fiddly, complicated apps. Anyone who's thinking about buying similar streaming devices like the Roku and Boxee should hold fire - the Chromecast is cheaper and early tests suggest it's much better. For more information on how to use Chromecast, watch Google's 'How to Cast video on YouTube: http://bit.ly/HowToCast. The same applies if you're thinking of buying the original Nexus 7 tablet - wait a few weeks until the new one is available. It may be £40 more expensive, but that's worth it for the camera, extra memory, faster speed and amazing screen.
The Chromecast is potentially the most useful device Google has ever released, and could transform how we watch TV. Catch-up services on phones, tablets and PCs are excellent, but most of us still prefer to watch our TV on the television. There's never been an affordable, easy, brilliant device that works hassle-free - until now. We'd like to see more services supported - there's no Lovefilm app at the moment - but, for around £30, it's hard to complain. We expect the Chromecast to be a huge success - it can't arrive in the UK fast enough. We're just as excited about the new Nexus. Google has made all the improvements we wanted, and it looks set to remain our favourite 7in tablet.
Google's new Nexus 7, which runs Android 4.3, has twice the RAM of its predecessor with 2GB; and a faster processor. Google has also added a S-megapixel camera to the rear, and boosted the display resolution from 1,280 x 800 to 1,920 x 1,200. The display has a pixel-density of 323ppi, which Google said is the highest number of pixels per inch of any tablet.
IF you've been annoyed by how expensive and confusing it is to stream web content onto your TV, this is great news. The Chromecast is easy to use, unlike other expensive set-top boxes and smart TVs, which are full of fiddly, complicated apps. Anyone who's thinking about buying similar streaming devices like the Roku and Boxee should hold fire - the Chromecast is cheaper and early tests suggest it's much better. For more information on how to use Chromecast, watch Google's 'How to Cast video on YouTube: http://bit.ly/HowToCast. The same applies if you're thinking of buying the original Nexus 7 tablet - wait a few weeks until the new one is available. It may be £40 more expensive, but that's worth it for the camera, extra memory, faster speed and amazing screen.
The Chromecast is potentially the most useful device Google has ever released, and could transform how we watch TV. Catch-up services on phones, tablets and PCs are excellent, but most of us still prefer to watch our TV on the television. There's never been an affordable, easy, brilliant device that works hassle-free - until now. We'd like to see more services supported - there's no Lovefilm app at the moment - but, for around £30, it's hard to complain. We expect the Chromecast to be a huge success - it can't arrive in the UK fast enough. We're just as excited about the new Nexus. Google has made all the improvements we wanted, and it looks set to remain our favourite 7in tablet.
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