chromecast arrived!

It took a month but my chromecast order from google play finally arrived.  What is chromecast?  

Per Wikipedia, Chromecast is a digital media streaming adapter developed by Google. The device, a 2.83-inch (72 mm) dongle, plays audio/video content on a high-definition television by streaming it via Wi-Fi from the Internet or local network. Users select the media to play on their television from the Google Chrome web browser on a personal computer or from a supported app on their mobile device.

 So here's an unboxing:

     Packaging is sleek and simple.  The power adapter is only needed if you do not have a USB on your TV.  Luckily for me, I had one very close to the HDMI input the chromcast plugs into.  It powers itself off the USB only, no communications take place over the USB via the TV input.  As you can see from the picture below, the HDMI dongle allowed me to plug the chromcast into the TV without tilting the TV wall mount forward.  So, the dongle angles down and the chromcast plugs in vertically hanging stealthy behind the TV set.

 

Setup was very easy.  Just change the input on the TV.  Install the chromcast software on your ipad, iphone, or android device, then configure it with your wifi like any other wifi device.

chromecast makes cruising Netflix much easier by using the touch screen of your portable device to find content.  Then, just hit the cast button and the content appears on your screen.

Multiple devices can work with the chromcast.  You just choose which one:

At $35, I don't see how anyone could go wrong trying one of these little guys.  This is the first time I've seen the convergence of Internet on the TV done in an ergonomic way that is intuitive and fun.  If you have kids that like to watch a TV show and multi-task with a portable device at the same time, you must get the chromcast.