Skip to main content

Google Chromecast vs. Android TV Stick – Which Should You Buy?

Google Chromecast vs. Android TV Stick – Which Should You Buy?
What exactly is the difference between a Google Chromecast and a generic Android Mini PC stick? Although visually similar, Chromecast and Android sticks work quite differently.
The Chromecast is simply an enabler. It enables you to mirror your Chrome tab from your computer to your TV, or broadcast certain apps from your Android or iOS device to your TV. It’s supplementary to the devices you already own.
On the other hand, Android sticks are essentially Android phones without a screen or the cellular component. They run the full Android operating system, generally version 4.2, and can plug into any TV and accept input from devices like USB and Bluetooth mice and keyboards. These devices stand alone and don’t need the help of another computer or mobile device.
So which is right for you? Let’s take a look at some of their features to dissect exactly what they are, and then we’ll see what kind of user would benefit the most from each.

Google Chromecast

Announced back in July, the Chromecast is a relatively cheap $35 device meant for streaming content from laptops, smartphones and tablets to a TV. It can be seen as a competitor to Apple TV or Roku set-top boxes (check out our review of the excellent Roku 3), but it is really in a league of its own.
Chromecast-Device

There are many creative uses for the Chromecast, but its main benefit is allowing you to stream content to your TV. On Android or iOS devices, Chromecast officially supports streaming from Netflix, Hulu Plus, YouTube, HBO Go, Pandora, Google Play Movies and Music, and Google says that they’re constantly working on adding more compatible apps.
The Chrome browser on any laptop or desktop supports mirroring of the browser window to the Chromecast, and it has an experimental (and buggy) feature that allows you to mirror the entire screen.
Chromecast-Screen

The Chromecast itself is a discreet little black device that resembles a chubby USB stick. It plugs into the TV via the HDMI port but has to be powered either by a USB port on the TV or a nearby power outlet.
It connects to your devices as long as you’re both on the same WiFi network. One caveat, though: if your WiFi requires an in-browser login rather than regular WPA2 or WEP verification, like some hotels or universities, the Chromecast won’t be able to connect since it doesn’t have a built-in browser.
Regardless, at $35, the Chromecast offers a cheap way to wirelessly stream your content from your phone, tablet, or computer to your TV. We’ve reviewed the device in full and quite liked it.

Android TV Sticks

These mysterious, relatively new devices, have had a lot of people wondering what they are and how they work. Basically, they’re just all the internals of an Android device. They generally have a male HDMI port to plug into an HDTV as well as a port for power and a USB port for peripheral input devices. Some even have Bluetooth for connecting additional peripherals.
Cozyswan-Android-Mini-PC

Since Android apps often take advantage of accelerometers for tilting motions or swiping motions meant for touchscreens, navigating Android can be a bit tricky with a mouse and keyboard, but it is possible. The advantage here is that you get a full Android experience on your TV. Download any apps from the Google Play Store like Chrome, Netflix, Hulu Plus, or even games like Final Fantasy IV or FIFA 14. You can even connect different gaming controllers for a better gaming experience. Send email, browse the web, and use the Android mini PC just like a standalone Android device.
The downside here is that there aren’t any major brands taking a stab at the Android stick market. You won’t be buying a Samsung or LG Android TV stick anytime soon. Rather, your options come from no-name brands like Rikomagic, iPazzPort, or FAVI. A lot of people are more comfortable buying a product from Google than a no-name brand.
Rikomagic-Device

Fortunately, these devices are generally powerful enough to handle most Android apps and to even play games pretty well. Many of them support 1080p output and have dual-core or quad-core processors with GPUs fast enough to handle 3D gaming.
Does this sound good to you? We’ve reviewed a couple of the most popular Android TV sticksand even detailed how to use one to create a Roku-like streaming device.

Which Should You Buy?

The Chromecast and Android TV sticks, from the outside, appear quite similar, but they actually serve very different markets.
The Chromecast is for the average non-techy consumer. Plug it in, then stream via a simple button in the Chrome browser or supported apps. You’re done. It’s simple and pretty easy to use, if rather limited by the number of supported apps. It also requires you to have a phone, tablet, or laptop nearby at all times to be able to use it.
Android TV sticks are much more of a niche market for techy folks. They’re gradually becoming more and more mainstream, but they’re still mostly made from no-name brands and require a bit of set-up and technological knowledge for connecting peripherals and such. Still, they’re relatively cheap and an easy way to transform an old TV into a smart TV without needing to have a separate phone, tablet, or laptop nearby at all times.
Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

How To Hide Text In Microsoft Word 2007, Reveal It & Protect It

Sometimes what we hide is more important than what we reveal. Especially, documents with sensitive information, some things are supposed to be ‘for some eyes only’. Such scenarios are quite common, even for the more un-secretive among us. You want to show someone a letter composed in MS Word, but want to keep some of the content private; or it’s an official letter with some part of it having critical data. As important as these two are, the most common use could involve a normal printing job. Many a time we have to print different versions of a document, one copy for one set of eyes and others for other sets. Rather than creating multiple copies and therefore multiple printing jobs, what if we could just do it from the same document?  That too, without the hassle of repeated cut and paste. We can, with a simple feature in MS Word – it’s just called Hidden and let me show you how to use it to hide text in Microsoft Word 2007. It’s a simple single click process. Open the docum...
1 comment
Read more

Boom, the startup that wants to build supersonic planes, just signed a massive deal with Virgin

Have you heard about Boom? Boom is a relatively new startup that’s aiming to build something pretty crazy. They’re not building an app… or a social network… or even some new gadget for the Kickstarter crowd. Boom wants to build planes. Really, really, really fast planes. Specifically, they’re trying to design and build a supersonic passenger plane that goes 2.2x the speed of sound. If all goes to plan, they’ll be able to shuttle people from New York to London in 3.5 hours, and SF to Tokyo in 4.5. Sound crazy? I wouldn’t disagree. It’s worth noting that the company is in the very early days for something as intensive, massive, and hugely expensive as designing and producing a passenger aircraft. They’re still working on their first prototype, and hope to fly it by late next year. But it’s also worth noting that the team behind the plane has some serious talent in its blood: the company’s 11 employees have collectively contributed to over 30 aircrafts — having worked on thin...
Post a Comment
Read more

Build Your Own Awesome Personal 3D Avatar with Avatara

Do you use social networks and want to build your own awesome 3D avatar? Maybe you want to send someone a cute cuddly image of yourself (kind of)? Or maybe you have your own ideas of what you would do with an Avatar… Well look no further than Avatara which I discovered from the MakeUseOf directory . You can create 3d avatars out of pre-set up templates or create your own from scratch. To start, visit Avatara’s homepage . You will see this screen: Click Get Started to umm, get started! That will take you to this screen: You see that you can build your own Avatar using an uploaded head shot like the Obama one above (just an example, guys). Or roll with one of their awesome avatars. I chose to start with a blank avatar by clicking Start with a blank avatar at the bottom of the screen. That takes you to here: I clicked on the filter at the top and told it to filter out everything but male characters and then I saw this: I rolled with Buck and continued. You need to click Select...
1 comment
Read more