The biggest change between the two Chromecast generations is its form factor. Instead of a stick, the Chromecast 2 is a small puck with an integrated HDMI cable. The cable folds and magnetically clips onto the back of the Chromecast 2, making it easy to travel with. When plugged into the TV, the Chromecast 2 just dangles from its HDMI cable. I’m a little concerned about the weight the Chromecast and its power cable puts on the HDMI port but it works well enough and stays hidden behind the TV. The Chromecast 2 also comes in three different colors: black, red, and yellow. While it’s nice to have a choice, you’re most likely never going to look at your Chromecast 2 again after plugging it in behind your TV.
Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux, Google Chrome is the most widely used desktop browser in the world. Since its launch in 2008, Chrome has expanded to Android, iOS, and is the basis of a.
If you do travel with it though, having a brightly colored Chromecast might help you remember to disconnect it from the hotel TV before checking out. The second big change is improved Wi-Fi performance in the form of 5GHz support, compared to the first-generation Chromecast, which only supports the slower 2.4GHz spectrum. There are now three internal antennas for optimizing streaming performance (the first generation only had one antenna). This means the Chromecast 2 can take full advantage of modern routers instead of being stuck on the slower frequency. In my tests, the Chromecast 2 was slightly faster at loading content but it wasn’t dramatic. The Chromecast 2 would also occasionally disconnect from my phone, forcing me to regain control by tapping on the Cast icon and selecting the device.
The original Chromecast also suffered from this and it is disappointing that the problem still exists. Also new to the Chromecast 2 is gaming. You can now cast games to your TV and use your phones or tablets as controllers.
Currently there are only a handful of games that work with the Chromecast 2 so don't get it expecting to play all of your mobile games on the TV. More expensive alternatives like the, and streaming boxes offer better gaming experiences.
To help performance, Google added a feature to the Chromecast 2 called “Fast Play,” which pre-fetches a video in the background for videos the Chromecast thinks you’re going to watch next. For example, if you’re binge watching, the Chromecast 2 will start to load the next episode before you hit play. Google promises less waiting for videos to buffer.
For Fast Play to work, app developers have to build it into their app and it'll take some time for apps to be updated with Fast Play support. To make browsing for content easier, Google updated its Chromecast app ( ) to be a media hub.
The app’s home screen is broken up into sections for different Chromecast supported apps you have installed on your phone or tablet. For example, if you have YouTube installed, you’ll get a list of trending videos right on the home page.
This makes browsing for content much easier than popping in and out of your various media apps. You can also search for something specific you want to watch, like, and the Chromecast app will tell you which apps have that content available. Tapping on Hulu will take you to The Simpsons page where you can start watching episodes. Tapping on the Google Play Movies and TV button will take you to the store page where you can download and stream individual TV episodes.
For those who want a dedicated interface for browsing and playing media, Google has its Android TV devices like the $99 Nexus Player. But at almost three times the price of the Chromecast 2, the Nexus Player is a difficult sell. If you have an original Chromecast, you probably don’t need to upgrade. The differences are pretty minor, and the new app experience already works with your old Chromecast. However, if you’re experiencing network connection issues with your Chromecast or just want a little bit more performance, the Chromecast 2 is a no-brainer at $35.
The Verdict The Chromecast 2 is one of the simplest and cheapest ways to turn your dumb TV into a smart one. Tons of apps support it, so finding content isn’t a problem if you know what you want to watch or listen to.
But browsing for content and controlling media from your phone or tablet is still inelegant. For those looking to sit back on the couch and browse media on the big screen, but don’t want to break the bank, an Amazon Fire TV Stick or Roku Streaming Stick ($50 each) may be better alternatives.