The best apps to take advantage of Chromecast

Google Chromecast continues to gain followers, especially after the appearance three years ago of its improved second generation. The audio and video quality provided by HDMI and the wide compatibility with all kinds of smartphones and applications have made its popularity grow significantly. Its Ultra version, which plays in 4k, went on sale a year later and for more than double what the Chromecast 2 costs, 80 euros for the Ultra version for 35 for the second version published in 2015.We see which are the applications with which we will get the most performance from both versions.

Youtube

YouTube's compatibility with Chromecast is complete, as it couldn't be otherwise, both belonging to the same developer. Just by clicking on the Chromecast logo in the YouTube app we will access all the content of the video app but can watch it on our smart TV. Easily browsing favorites or history with a simple click on the video we want to see, it will appear immediately on our television. The app synchronizes instantly and its responses are also immediate, such as pausing, passing videos and controlling the volume from our smartphone One of its great advantages is that of being able to do quick searches with the mobile to be able to see them on television.We can finally do without the huge keyboards compatible with smart TVs or tedious searches with the TV remote.

Spotify

The most popular streaming music app has been able to integrate perfectly with Chromecast. Just by having it installed on our smartphone, when it is opened it will detect the possibility of using Chromecast and it will ask us if we want to play from the television or from the smartphone, and if we choose our TV - or the PS4 - we can continue to control the volume, choose songs and pass them from the comfortable application for Android. As in YouTube, the advantage of searching through the mobile keyboard to play it on television greatly speeds up navigation.

HBO Spain

HBO's integration with Chromecast is great for managing the app from the mobile interface. From choosing the content to watch on TV to controlling volume, pause and other playback actions. The problem comes more with the HBO app itself, not in its synchronization with Chromecast The app continues with failures such as continuous crashes, especially when viewing content premiere highly demanded. This fact does not change the enormous utility of the app to facilitate access to content and view it on smart TV.

Netflix

The Netflix app is an example of easy handling, an intuitive interface and well-ordered content. If we add to that its perfect fusion with Chromecast, the application becomes essential on our smartphone or tablet if we are subscribers to a Californian company.Once we connect the app to our smart TV via Chromecast, we will have access to all the content of the television platform in a few clicks, without the tedious navigation through the smart TV application with the TV remote. Always stable, the app allows us to easily browse and play all the content instantly, as well as control all the playback details from our smartphone

Plex

Plex is a software that acts as a digital library, which gives us the possibility of organizing all our multimedia content, from photos and videos to all the music we have on a device, and it does so with a most intuitive and visual interface. The great advantage of this essential app to take advantage of Chromecast is that it is present on almost all systems and platforms:Windows, Mac, Linux, as well as terminals with Android, iOS, PlayStation, XBox, Samsung or LG SmartTV.

Plex is free, both the desktop client and the different applications, although it has a Premium function that we can access with the Plex Pass subscription. It is very interesting if you are really going to take advantage of it, its price ranges from 4.99 euros per month to 119 for the indefinite version. Once we install the app on the smart TV and on our mobile, tablet or computer (it is compatible with the three main operating systems) we will only have to synchronize with our Chromecast to access all the libraries of our device This will also include external hard drives on computers. With easy and quick access to each library, we will only have to select the content that we want to play on our smart TV to watch or listen to it in original quality. Plex also provides some news and entertainment channels that with the same operation, we can see on the big screen at home.

Just Dance Now

Just Dance is one of the games that has hooked the most people on PS4 and XBox and now you can play it without having a game console. All you have to do is have Chromecast and download the Just Dance Now app to once again enjoy dancing in front of the TV It is fair to point out that the game is not completely free, since they offer us a list of songs that we will have to buy to dance. Otherwise, we will be forced to use the few five free songs.

It is presented with an attractive design in which we must first create a user profile to start playing. We also have the option of going to the store to add songs to the cart and the option of friends so that we can play together. Our scores will be based on the songs we have danced.The integration with Chromecast is complete and its fast response adds a fun but simple interface that helps streamline the dynamics of the game.

Angry Birds Go

Angry Birds is another game that offers the option of Chromecast and makes it easier to play on the big screen. We must know that to activate the 'Chromecast' option we must first play the tutorial Through their explanation, they will show us how to share the game with our Chromecast device. This Angry Birds is given a lot of air with the classic Nintendo Mario Kart. Normally we compete against our friends or the AI, we drive karts and while we run, we can get different powers to beat our opponents or speed up.

By obtaining points and completing circuits and missions, we will unlock new characters and karts.Upgrade your car to compete on tons of tracks, highways, aerial stunt contests and off-road races. The game is free to play but offers in-app purchases. Each Android device must have the game installed to play multiplayer. The integration with Chromecast is simple and our smartphone acts as a joystick in the most effective way.