Hidden Cromecast Features, Tips, Tricks, And Overview

What is Chromecast?

Chromecast is a digital media player developed by Google. The device, a 2.83-inch (72 mm) HDMI dongle, plays audio/video content on a high-definition display by directly streaming it via Wi-Fi from the Internet or a local network. Users select the media to play using Chromecast-enabled mobile apps and Web apps, or through a beta feature called "tab casting" that can mirror most content from the Google Chrome web browser running on their personal computer. The device was announced on July 24, 2013, and made available for purchase on the same day in the United States for US$35, along with a limited-time promotion for three free months of Netflix. The Google Cast SDK was released on February 3, 2014, allowing third parties to modify their software to support Chromecast.

How is it fairing:

Is Google Chromecast usage really flattening out, as a recent Parks Associates study suggested? App developer Videostream doesn't agree, saying Chromecast owners are increasing the frequency and time spent using the device.

Videostream founder and co-creator Jason Moore told FierceOnlineVideo that almost half its Chromecast customers are accessing the streaming stick daily, and spending an hour or more using the device. "We've seen nothing but increases in Chromecast activity," he said.

The Videostream app is a Chrome extension that allows users to upload local files and view them on their TV set via the Chromecast device. Moore said that Videostream can monitor user sessions through the app, giving the company detailed data on user behavior. While the company can't release most of those results due to privacy concerns, he said that Videostream was able to collect data from a much larger sample base--250,000 subscribers, compared to Park's survey of 10,000 broadband households in the United States.

How does it stack up against the competition? 

	Amazon Fire TV	Chromecast	Roku	Apple TV
Price	$99	$35	$49 - $99	$93
Form factor	Box	Stick	Stick or box	Box
Video apps	Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Instant, Hulu Plus, Showtime Anytime, Crackle, Vimeo, more	Netflix, YouTube, HBO Go, Hulu Plus, Vudu, Crackle, more	Netflix, YouTube, HBO Go, Amazon Instant, Hulu Plus, Showtime Anytime, Vudu, Crackle, M-Go, Vimeo, PBS, PBS Kids, Disney Channel, Redbox Instant, Time Warner Cable, Slingplayer, more	Netflix, YouTube, HBO Go, Hulu Plus, Crackle, Vimeo, PBS, Disney Channel, more via AirPlay
Audio apps	Pandora, Vevo, Qello, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, more	Pandora, Rdio, Vevo, Songza, more	Spotify, Pandora, Rdio, Mog, Amazon CloudPlayer, Vevo, Qello, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Slacker, more	Vevo, Qello, "radio"
Major proprietary apps	None	Google Play Movies & TV, Google Play Music	None	iTunes Movies and TV shows, iTunes Music, iTunes Radio
Sports apps	Watch ESPN, NBA League Pass, "many more"	None	Watch ESPN, MLB.TV, NBA League Pass, NHL Gamecenter, more	Watch ESPN, MLB.TV, NBA League Pass, NHL Gamecenter, more
Games	Yes, playable via remote, tablet/phone, or optional controller ($40)	Yes, playable via tablet/phone	Yes, playable via remote	No
Control	Voice search, physical remote, app	App only (no physical remote)	Physical remote, app	Physical remote, app
Screen mirroring	via Kindle Fire HDX only	via Chrome browser	No	via AirPlay
Photo, video and music files	via Plex, Amazon Cloud	via Plex, other apps	via Plex, other apps	via AirPlay, native Mac and iOS support, iCloud
Cross-platform search	No	No	Yes	No
Parental Controls	Free Time (app- and time-based restrictions + walled garden)	No	No	Basic per-app passcode restrictions

Sources:
Wikipedia
FierceOnlineVideo
cnet


Compiled By:
Josh Martin