Check out Chromecast!

I haven’t bought one of these devices yet but they sound pretty great.

Here’s a review from CNET:

Here is a review from Geek Beat:

http://geekbeat.tv/google-chromecast-first-look-features-and-quirks-revealed/

What does it do?

If you have anything but a Windows Phone or a Blackberry then you’ll likely be able to use Chromecast.

Chromecast is a small device ($35) that plugs into the HDMI port on any TV. As long as you have a computer, tablet, or smartphone on the same WiFi network as the Chromecast device then you are set. When it’s connected you’ll be able to wirelessly send video and audio to the device and watch what ever you want on the TV.

How many people reading this have watched a movie on their laptop on a hotel room? Well, now you can watch it on the TV. I hear there are some issues with what you can display on the TV and which apps will actually work, but, I know Netflix works. Also, this device is in beta so it will only get better. Expect to be able to stream anything within the next few months, maybe early Spring.

Problems

The biggest problem I can see for traveling archaeologists is with the hotel WiFi. More and more hotels have a sign in page for wifi and some devices can’t see that page. Sometimes there is a weird pop-up window that causes problems too. I’m not sure how Chromecast will handle these issues.

Another problem, of course, is that not all hotels have TVs with HDMI connections. That is quickly becoming a thing of the past, though. More and more small hotels are installing new TVs that have HDMI connections.

Even if you can only watch Netflix on this device, it’s still better than using your computer. For $35 you can’t go wrong!

Has anyone ordered this? Has anyone tried it? What do you think? Let me know in the comments.

Thanks for reading and I’ll see you in the field!