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Chromecast: Google’s latest Apple TV challenger streams phone content to TVs

Chromecast is Google’s latest Apple TV challenger, a tiny HDMI dongle that plugs into your TV and lets you stream content from any phone or tablet. 

This means you’ll be able to stream YouTube or Netflix video to your TV from your iPad Mini, HTC One, Windows 7 laptop or MacBook Air. Chromecast will work with most devices that can connect to your home WiFi network and stream video, but Windows Phone and BB 10 phones aren’t supported and there’s currently no telling if they ever will be.

In the meatime, you could always try YouTube Leanback on your Nokia Lumia or BlackBerry Z10…

Chromecast: Google’s latest Apple TV challenger streams phone content to TVs
Funke Town: Stream Netflix and YouTube content to your TV over WiFi using the Chromecast HDMI dongle

Additionaly, only streaming services that adopt Google’s ‘Cast’ protocol will be able to work with Chromecast. So far, Netflix has signed up and YouTube is also on board. 

Hopefully Chromecast will make a bigger impact than the Google Nexus Q, the Metroid Morph Ball-looking product that was quietly canned last year. 

Chromecast: Google’s latest Apple TV challenger streams phone content to TVs
Google’s Cast protocol is only compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, Mac and Chrome OS right now

Chromecast UK price and release date

As for when it’s coming to the UK, nobody knows. Heading to the Chromecast page on Google Play tells us that it’s ‘not available’ in this country. 

We know it’s going to cost $35 in the States which currently converts to £22. Of course, you could always import one from the US but of course you’re liable to pay tax on delivery. 

​Given that the recently upgraded Nexus 7 looks to be £40 more expensive than the original over here – it’s just $30 more (£19) in America – you can be sure Rip Off Britain will rear its head should Chromecast get an official UK release.

Chromecast Specifications

  • Output: HDMI (CEC compatible)
  • Video Resolution: 1080p
  • Dimensions: 72 x 35 x 12 mm (L, W, H)
  • Weight: 34g
  • Wireless: 2.4 GHz WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
  • Power: USB (adapter included)

Supported Platforms:

  • Android 2.3 and higher
  • iOS® 6 and higher
  • Windows® 7 and higher
  • Mac OS® 10.7 and higher
  • Chrome OS (Chromebook Pixel, additional Chromebooks coming soon).

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