Chromecast 1.10.3000

Google has tried its hands at a lot of different things over the years. One of the things that has been a hit in recent years is Chromecast, the dongle that allows people to cast content to their big screen TVs over the WiFi network, turning virtually any TV with a HDMI port into a smartTV.

Along with the device, the company also launched a few apps to go along with it, leaving the rest to the developers of the world. The Chromecast app was the first to get launched, and it’s a mandatory addition to everyone who has the device since it helps you set it all up and more.

Set it all up

So, Google’s Chromecast app is quite a nice and essential app to have on your phone if you’re using the device. Since this is Google we’re talking about, you can probably already figure out that this is an easy and intuitive app to have.

As you launch the app you can set up the device. You can either set up a new one, or find an existing Chromecast that’s connected over your wireless network. When creating a new connection, you’ll have to use the iPhone’s WiFi settings and pick the new Chromecast while looking for the same device name on the TV screen. The next few steps are all detailed in the app, so you shouldn’t have any troubles in figuring out what needs to be done.

Then, if there are multiple Chromecasts in use, you can choose which one to use. Tapping on either of them will reveal more information about the device, such as the guest mode, name, network, language, and time format.

If you don’t know how to use the device, the app comes with a video presentation and a few other tutorials. There’s also a way to discover new apps that go with Chromecast, including Netflix, YouTube Hulu and Google’s Play Music, to name just a few. Of course, there are a lot out there that Google doesn’t list, but you’ll have to find those on your own.

Control the backdrop

The app further provides a way to customize the Chromecast backdrop, which is the image that appears when you’re not casting anything. You’ll be able to see the photo currently displaying and, depending on the type of image, see it in Google Maps, or check out the profile of the individual who posted it online.

The Settings area for the backdrop allows users to decide what type of content you want to see there, including your own photos from Google+ albums, weather information, artwork from museums and galleries, satellite images of the Earth and space, and featured photos from the web.

All in all, this isn’t just a nice app that’s very easy to handle, but also one that you actually need to have if you’re using a Chromecast.

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