All About Chromecast

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Chromecast guest mode guide

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Chromecast guest mode allows your guests to cast to Chromecast without connecting to your WiFi network.

This Chromecast guide explains everything you need to know about the Chromecast guest mode: what the guest mode is, how it works, how to enable or disable it, how to cast in the guest mode, and the limitations of the guest mode.

What is Chromecast guest mode? When will you need it?

By default, the only way to use Chromecast is by joining your device to the same network as Chromecast.

This is part of the security consideration: you don’t want your neighbor to mess up your TV screen.

Sometimes, you have some guests in the house and they want to share something interesting from their devices through Chromecast. In this case, you have to connect their devices to your network to use the Chromecast.

If you have some sensitive files in your home network, you probably are reluctant to have them connected to your network. You may trust your friends, but you cannot trust their devices which may have nasty malware.

Chromecast guest mode comes to solve your dilemma. Thanks to the recent update in Chromecast.

You can turn on guest mode … Continue to read the post....

Android screen casting for Chromecast is now supported on all Android devices with KitKat 4.4.2 or later

Last updated on: , first published on: 100 Comments

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The latest Chromecast app (1.9.6) update brought  Android screen casting (screen mirroring), one of the most anticipated features of Chromecast, to all Android devices with Android KitKat 4.4.2 or later.

If you are new to this feature, you may refer to this post.

Android screen casting makes the TV your second screen!

Essentially, Android screen casting (screen mirroring) through Chromecast will make your TV the second screen of your Android devices.

You can enjoy videos, games, music, and everything on the TV with Android screen casting through Chromecast.

Anything displayed on your Android screen and the audio can be mirrored on your TV through Chromecast.

This makes your $35 Chromecast more valuable.

Previously, the screen casting feature was only supported on a few selected (high-end) devices.

How to start and stop Android screen casting?

After you update the Chromecast app to 1.9.6 or later, you can find the cast screen option as shown below.

If your device is not among the supported device list (see this post for the updated officially supported devices), you will see the following warning message.

“Screen casting is not optimized for this device, your experience may vary.”

Tap OK to continue, as shown below.… Continue to read the post....

How to use Chromecast backdrop to customize the TV screen?

Last updated on: , first published on: 10 Comments

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The chromecast backdrop feature was officially released early this month. Now, you can customize the TV screen when you are not casting content through Chromecast.

This Chromecast guide explains everything you need to know about the Chromecast backdrop.

What contents can be used for Chromecast backdrop?

Essentially, Chromecast backdrop allows you to fill the TV screen with the following contents:

  • Your photo albums (private or public) in Google+. You can enable or disable albums one by one.
  • Artwork from galleries and museums around the world via the Google Cultural Institute.
  • News and lifestyle images from The New York Times, The Guardian, Saveur, and other sources. This is currently for US users only, possibly due to content distribution restrictions.
  • Satellite imagery of some of the hardest-to-reach places on Earth from Google Maps.
  • Photos from the Google+ community

You can enable or disable these contents individually from your Android devices or iOS devices.

More interestingly, you can even learn more about the current images shown on TV  by asking questions directly in Google Voice Search.

How to set up  Chromecast backdrop to customize the TV screen?

In your Android device, start the Chromecast Google Home app.

Tap the menu key (3 … Continue to read the post....

Screen mirroring with Chromecast

Last updated on: , first published on: 229 Comments

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Update: with Chromecast app update to 1.9.6, Android screen casting (screen mirroring) is available in ALL Android devices with Android KitKat 4.4.2 or later versions. 

As announced in Google I/O 2014, Chromecast would get some nice updates and new features. We will discuss these new features in later posts once they are available publicly.

Screen mirroring with Chromecast Arrives: cast your Android screen without relying on apps

One of the most exciting new features of Chromecast is screen mirroring (or screencasting) for Android devices.  You can mirror whatever is on your  Android devices to a TV without using any apps (of course, for non-Nexus devices, you need the Chromecast app), including audio.

Now, with the Chromecast app update (to 1.7.4), screen mirroring with Chromecast is now fully working on some selected (models) Android devices.

Please note screen mirroring is different from the wireless display that has been introduced to Android since Jelly Bean 4.2. Wireless display in Android uses Miracast technology. To use this feature, you need a receiver (usually a TV) that supports Miracast.  Currently, only some high-end smart TVs support Miracast. Otherwise, you need to get a Miracast dongle/adapter (for example, Netgear Push2TV Wireless Display … Continue to read the post....

Chromecast VS Miracast: everything you need know about Chromecast, wireless display and screen mirroring

Last updated on: , first published on: 162 Comments

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Update 1: Android screen mirroring through Chromecast is available! Please read this post for details.

Chromecast was hailed by Time Magazine as the most innovative gadget in 2013.  This affordable HDMI dongle changes the way people consume content, especially online video and music.

Most people now have multiple screens: smartphones ( normally 3.5-7″), tablets (normally 7-12.2″), laptops (normally 10-17″), PCs (normally 19-34″), and of course, TVs (normally 34-80″).  Different sizes give different experiences and some content. For example, full-length movies are preferred on a larger TV screen.

How to unify these screens?

There are different answers from different vendors. But most of them are vendor-dependent. In other words, the solution only works for some specific-branded devices. For example, Apple has AirPlay (which requires Apple TV); Samsung introduced  AllShare Cast since Galaxy S3 (which requires certain Samsung Galaxy devices).

Chromecast delivered an answer that is independent of hardware vendors!

Another hardware-independent answer is Miracast.

Because Android has supported Miracast natively since Jelly Bean 4.2, a lot of Chromecast owners confused Chromecast with Miracast.

I will try to explain to you Chromecast vs Miracast: the difference between Chromecast and Miracast (Miracast enabled devices), the advantages and disadvantages of … Continue to read the post....

Google Cast SDK opens door to public: more apps will work with Chromecast

Last updated on: , first published on: 2 Comments

google-cast-sdk-released-for-chromecast-developersChromecast is one of the most innovative gadgets in 2013.  It makes it easy to enjoy contents in a large screen at an affordable price of $35.

But what holds most enthusiasts from ordering the device is that only limited apps are supported before the Google Cast SDK  is open to public. Only selected partners (e.g., Hulu, HBO, Plex…) are allowed to release apps with Chrome cast support.

The Google Cast SDK (it is branded as Google Cast in most situations, although the product name is still Chromecast)  was initially for preview only: developers are not allowed to release their apps per the terms.

This week, Google finally officially open the Google Cast SDK to the public. All developers now can make their apps work with Chromecast officially.

This brings infinite opportunities for our Chromecast, and for our mobile devices

We will see more and more apps work with Chromecast. For example, if you want to stream local contents to  a TV, currently, you have to use Chrome browser (with Google Cast extension) in a laptop or a PC (you may refer to this guide if you still want to know how to do it).  But since the Google Cast … Continue to read the post....

All About Chromecast: a community for Chromecast owners

Last updated on: , first published on: 2 Comments

chromecast tips and tricksAlthough  the Chromecast is simple to setup and simple to use, you may encounter this issue or that issue.  Google’s support is robotic.

So, we decided to start a new community for Chromecast owners and enthusiasms.

AllAboutChromecast.com will cover Chromecast news and updates. You will get the latest info on Chromecast.

Chromecast how-to guide section will teach you everything on using Chromecast for all occasions.

Chromecast manual section gives you the best guide on setup, using and troubleshooting Chromecast.

Chromecast Forum is a public forum for you to share your views on Chromecast, and discuss anything related (or even unrelated) to Chromecast.

We will also discuss the technology behind Chromecast. A lot of people confused Chromecast with Miracast or screen mirroring in Android 4.2 or later versions.   For screen mirroring, you may check this screen mirroring guide.

If you have any questions or want to leave a feedback, please leave comments in the relevant pages/posts, or use the contact us page to send your message.

Of course, the most valuable assets for you is the Chromecast Tips and Tricks, our free newsletter. You should subscribe now!… Continue to read the post....