It makes it easy to start up a trending YouTube video or a popular movie rental without having to leave the app and dive into the respective apps. You’ll find recommendations tailored both to your preferences and to what others are viewing around the world. The app makes it easy to browse through multiple different sources of entertainment for recommendations, including YouTube and Google Play Movies. If you already own a Chromecast device, Google Home still has some utility for you. It’s cool stuff, and genuinely feels futuristic when you’re using it. This means apps like YouTube, Spotify, and Google Play Music allow other users to build a queue all within one system playing media. Once you’ve set up your new device, all you have to do is load into the app of your choice to tap the familiar Cast logo to sync into the device. When you activate the device, it’ll pair over your network, allowing anyone within your house to add and stream content within Google Cast’s service. The Home app itself has a straightforward design and setup, allowing you to quickly pair your new Cast device with your home’s network in just a few steps.

Let’s take a look at the Home app that controls it all. Even better, you can mirror your entire phone’s display, making it easy to show photos, give presentations, and anything else you’re looking to do on your television. It’s one of the cheapest entries into the world of streaming boxes, and you control everything straight from your phone with dedicated apps.

If you don’t have something that supports cast, Google’s own Chromecast device is available from your local big-box store, with a price ranging from $20 to $70 depending on the model. Multiple televisions, including most of Vizio’s lineup, now ship with Cast support built into the device. Cast support is built into nearly every Google-made Android app on the Play Store, not to mention Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, HBO Now, and so much more. An unsurprising pick to anyone who has used a Cast-enabled device, Google’s Home app makes it easy to manage and control every Cast-supported device in your house.

Android mirror to windows 10