The little one can do almost everything: New Chromecast streams to the top

With the new Chromecast, Google is bringing a TV streaming device onto the market for the first time that can compete with Amazon's Fire TV sticks. It's small, cheap, and has almost everything you could want to see on screen.

Die-hard Android and Google fans have been enthusiastic about Google's Chromecast devices before, as they offered them more options than Amazon's Fire TV sticks, for example. However, for less tech-savvy users they were not as straightforward as the competition, and among other things did not offer a remote control. That changes with the new Chromecast, which is now really suitable for the living room and still offers the functions of its predecessors.

Plain and simple

The Chromecast itself doesn't look very spectacular, it looks a bit like an eraser with a cord that is a bit too big. Its appearance is secondary, after all, the HDMI device usually disappears on the back of the TV.

As usual with Google, the setup is uncomplicated. You connect the Chromecast and do the rest conveniently on the Google Home app. After a firmware update you can get started, the simple user interface does not require any instructions. All you really have to know is that you can move apps or call up additional options by long pressing the Enter key on the remote control.

Some apps are already pre-installed or can be selected during the Chromecast setup. They include Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney + and various media libraries. Other applications such as the ntv app or TV Now can be found in the stick's clear app store. Recommendations from all installed applications can then be seen on the user interface.

Google assists

To search for content or to start apps, you can use the remote control, which is also simple. You can maneuver over the surface with your steering wheel or enter text into the search. The easiest way, however, is to instruct the Google Assistant to do so using the microphone on the remote control. The fact that there are two separate buttons for Youtube and Netflix is ​​nice, but actually unnecessary. You can also use the remote control with the wizard to control other Google Home devices, such as bringing the surveillance image from a Nest camera onto the screen.

Some apps like Sky Ticket are not (yet) available for the Chromecast. But that's only a minor flaw, as you can start such apps on the smartphone as before and then transfer them to the stick via the Chromecast symbol.

HDR10 + and Dolby Vision on board

Either way, the streaming quality is excellent, because the little thing has a lot to offer technically. Among other things, it plays 4K content at 60 frames per second and, in addition to HDR10, also supports Dolby Vision and HDR10 +. And with the appropriate loudspeaker equipment, the Chromecast delivers surround sound as well as Dolby Atmos.

If you have a television that does not yet offer the full streaming program, the new Google Chromecast is spot on. For around 68 euros, the device can also do more than the simpler Fire TV sticks.