chromecast is here!!

The last weekend i got my brand new Google Chromecast, First, it was a miracle because i got it just three days after the public release, THANKS AMAZON.COM!!! you are such a good friend!!

I will tell you my story with the device that made me feel so excited that I took pictures of the process.

The package as usual for google products was something clean, small and simple, basically nothing fancy (btw, i like that).

Then i got my first encounter with the device, i have to say that i bought it without watching or touching the device, so it was a mystery for me, but i was gratefully surprised. it is small enough to make it very portable, so you could take it with you anywhere you go.

Using it is really simple, plug it in any standard HDMI port, attention HDMI do not provide power to plugged devices, because of that you will need to power the Chromecast; do not worry about that because the devices comes with a USB cable + power adapter, so you could get the power from the USB port of the TV or any power outlet.








Now, you need to setup the device, it is extremely easy to do it, First go to https://cast.google.com/chromecast/setup and click in the download button, the magic will start there.

After installing the driver, the setup will detect your wireless connection and it will ask you for a name for the device.

And after doing that, you will be prompted to install the Google Chrome Extension (DO IT).

You know what, that was it!! Your Google Chromecast should be ready to use it!!! HOORRAH!!!

So, after playing a lot with the device. the good is:

1. Extremely portable device
2. Extremely easy to setup
3. It is multi platform, this really works with apple devices, android devices, laptops, tablets, etc. As a friendly reminder the Apple TV just works with Apple devices.
4. Native apps are the ones that get connected to the device, so you do not need to purchase something special to use a new phone or tablet, just get the youtube app, chrome app, etc. As a friendly, reminder roku could become messy and expensive in this point.
5. It is open, YES IT IS OPEN, so if you want to develop an app to stream from Frostwire to the TV, then you need to use the API, so any content provider or content aggregator could build their owns apps or any third party could do it. Do i have to said something about Apple TV?? well, i will... YOU CAN NOT DO IT, you have to wait for updates.. Even roku allows you to "create channels".
6. It is possible to broadcast in HD, with the Apple TV it was frustrating that Air Playing a CBS video stops every 5 seconds and every single document make reference to "network capabilities", COME ON!!! i have a linksys wireless router, i am not using any generic homemade solutions..
7. The device includes everything you need to use it, you do not need to purchase any extra stuff. For a limited time it was including a 3 months free Netflix subscription, that means to me that the device cost was USD 5 instead of USD 35 because i will save around USD 9 monthly.
8. Did i say that it is cheap and works??

Not everything is perfect, so i will tell you what i think that is bad:

1. the temperature is not exactly low, but well, it works with electricity and i am sure they know it is something to improve and it is not critical.
2. If you are using a really old device like a laptop with a 802.11 a/b card from 6 years ago, it could be slow and you will need to reduce the resolution.

In conclusion, we are talking about a killing device, its openness create a path for the creativity of any developer that could imagine even a Raspberry Pi running android and connected to this device, this is lovely.. Finally, i had to do to more things, 1.- Remove the Roku 3 from my "toys" wish-list in amazon.com and 2.- looking for someone that would like to buy my old Apple TV.

I really love my new toy!!