Since Google also hyped remote control swapping between devices, I gave that a go too. Here’s what I found:Ĭasting a video to the TV and remote controlling it from the same device worked well in both cases. I tested Chromecasting from YouTube on both an iPhone 5 and the new Nexus 7 tablet. If, for instance, you assumed that Google-owned YouTube would perform better than Netflix, you’d be mistaken-and the disappointment is especially acute on iOS. Worse, with one of those two remaining apps, iOS users face further compromises. (It’s quite possible you won’t care, but that’s a separate issue.) The Bugs So if you’re an iPhone or iPad owner, get used to the fact that while Android users may have Netflix, YouTube, Google Play Music and Google Play Movies & TV apps at their disposal, you only have the first two right now. And that’s a problem for a platform that only has two Chromecast-compatible apps available. It’s not currently possible to do tab casting from any phone or tablet, which means mobile users have to rely solely on apps. ![]() We can listen to Google Play Music via Safari and mobile Chrome, sure, but we can’t beam that music to the TV. Only four mobile apps directly support Chromecast at this moment, and two of them-Google Play Music and Google Play Movies & TV-aren’t available for iOS users. When it comes to apps, there’s an even peskier issue-the actual streaming. (Note: If you don’t mind digging behind your TV and grabbing hold of the device, you can do a manual factory reset by pressing and holding the physical button for 25+ seconds, or until the light starts to flash.) Or borrow a friend’s Android gadget. (Update : The iOS Chromecast setup app has finally entered the App Store. So if you want to change networks, Wi-Fi passwords, rename the device or remote reboot/factory reset it, you have to put down your iPhone and pick up a laptop. That’s not so bad, except that-unlike the Chromecast app-this doesn’t allow you to later tweak those settings from an iDevice. So to configure the streaming stick, we have to do it online from our mobile Web browser. It’s not clear if Google simply hasn’t submitted it to the App Store or if Apple is holding back approval, but either way it’s not available. The iOS App FailĪndroid users have a handy native Chromecast mobile app to set up and manage the device’s settings. So for iPhone and iPad users, Chromecast comes with some compromises-namely a dearth of compatible apps and a rough-around-the-edges experience. Certainly not in the service of its arch rival, and definitely not for features that compete with its own Apple TV and Airplay. Among other things, there was never much chance that Apple would help optimize the Chromecast experience on iOS. True, the disconnect isn’t necessarily surprising. That’s a tough pill to swallow given the attention Google lavished on the Chromecast’s touted ability to work across Android and iDevices alike-and the fact that Android phones and tablets handle the streaming so well. I’m an iPhone user, and it has become increasingly apparent that Chromecast sometimes works rather fitfully with Apple gear. See also: 10 Things You Need To Know About Chromecast 5 Cool Chromecast Hacks And Workarounds and What You Can Watch On Chromecast, And Howīut that forgiveness is key. Then again, it’s easy to be forgiving when a new gadget costs less than dinner at a middle-of-the-road restaurant. ![]() Overall, I’ve come away with positive impressions. I’ve had a Chromecastic week playing around with Google’s $35 streaming device.
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