In today’s market, two of the best streaming devices are the Chromecast and the Apple TV. If you are looking for a good streaming device, but aren’t sure which of these two offers, what you need, then you’re at the right place. Reading this guide will teach you all you need to know about these streaming devices, so that you can determine which one is right for you.
What Is The Chromecast?
The Chromecast is, essentially, a streaming device that takes what’s being displayed on your smartphone and transfers it to your television. By using a Chromecast, you have easy access to applications such as YouTube, Google Chrome, Netflix, Hulu, and a variety of other applications and services. But, each one of these services and applications is being streamed from your smartphone and displayed on the television.
What Is The Apple TV?
The Apple TV is, essentially, a miniature computer that serves as a streaming device. By using an Apple TV, you have easy access to most of the applications and services that you can find on iOS – iPhone – devices. Since the Apple TV is its own device, rather than the Chromecast which merely picks up data from your smartphone, it has its own very unique interface, built-in storage, a unique screensaver; and a variety of other features and design traits.
How Do You Use A Chromecast?
For you to use a Chromecast, you must have a smartphone that is compatible with a Chromecast device. If you have a smartphone that is compatible with a Chromecast, you can then stream specific apps from your smartphone to the Chromecast, which will display them on your television. To access different applications, services, and content, you will be relying entirely on your smartphone. There is no included remote control, because your smartphone is the remote control.
How Do You Use An Apple TV?
Since the Apple TV is its own machine – a miniature computer, essentially – it comes with a remote control. By using this remote control, you can navigate through the interface, choose the applications and services you would like to use, and engage with the device in a pleasant manner.
But, one thing worth pointing out is that the remote uses a trackpad, similar to what you’d find on a laptop, rather than directional buttons. This can be rather clunky, and isn’t always the most intuitive or comfortable.
What Unique Features Does The Chromecast Offer?
The Chromecast is, above all else, affordable, simple, and very easy-to-use. If you know how to use your smartphone, and if you know how to access the different applications and services that are on your smartphone, then you can use a Chromecast.
For you to use the Chromecast, you just need to “cast” your smartphone to the Chromecast. Then, by doing that, whatever is on your smartphone will be displayed on your television. Due to the variety of applications and services that smartphones – and, in turn, Chromecast – offer, you can use the Chromecast to watch just about anything.
Since Chromecast is entirely dependent on your smartphone, if your smartphone is slow, then so will Chromecast. The same applies to connectivity issues, certain apps not working well, and a variety of other issues. Because of these issues, using a Chromecast can be a little difficult.
What Unique Features Does The Apple TV Offer?
Since the Apple TV is a miniature computer, essentially, it possesses its own interface. Moving through this interface is an effortless experience – it’s speedy and simple – and since it’s Apple, the interface is lovely.
If you go to the App Store, you will find all of the major streaming services, as well as YouTube. That way, you can easily watch all of the movies and shows you would like to watch. Plus, most of these services support 4K, and because of this, Apple TV has the biggest 4K library of any streaming device.
One of the coolest features Apple TV offers is the “Watch Now” feature. By going inside the Television App, you can see all of the different movies and shows, from all of your streaming services, that are available. Then, you can choose one, and it will immediately open up the proper service. This makes it so easy to find and watch what you want.
Conclusion: Which One Should You Buy?
In the end, both Chromecast and Apple TV are great. If you are looking for a simple and affordable streaming device, Chromecast will work wonders. If you are looking for a more elaborate and powerful device, then the Apple TV is the best choice!