Today, streaming media isn’t a new idea, but the rise of Internet-based on-demand services like Netflix and Amazon prime instant video means that it’s becoming more and more popular as a way to watch TV. Chromecast is an inexpensive media streaming adapter that turns any HDMI-equipped television into an app-driven smart TV when paired with a phone, tablet or computer. The total package is Google’s answer to products like apple TV and Roku 3 not to mention Google’s forthcoming Nexus Player and the Amazon Fire TV. All devices are designed to take your digital content and get it up on your big screen without fuss or fiddle. Priced at only Shs80,000 it’s a very simple setup that Google is offering:
The Chromecast is a small HDMI dongle that plugs directly into your TV, and connects to your Wi-Fi network. One chooses what to watch on another device, and then Chromecast streams that content from the Internet and displays it on your TV.
it has no real interface of its own. It just sits and waits for your other devices to tell it what to stream. This gadget is one a person living or working in rural areas where local station networks are a problem. However, in Africa some apps tied to this gadget like the music app Pandora do not work. Another notable problem is the poor Internet network that may not be fast enough to run the live stream and if one has the Internet, it may be a very expensive gadget to maintain.
