Chromecast testing

I'm going to test the new Chromecast device. This is going to be difficult, I can tell.

Don't misunderstand me. I've used Chromecast before. It was my go-to device for casting from a Chrome browser tab for many years before Roku added that capability.

I used the old stick style Chromecast. I used the newer dongle style (yes, I know, technically a stick is a dongle, but you know what I mean). And I've used the new Chromecast with Google TV. So, no, Chromecast isn't new to me.

Google has two versions available: the standard Chromecast device is $30. That's the traditional device that required you to use a mobile device as the control and launcher.

The other version is Chromecast with Google TV (they really need to work on that name) which has all the functionality of the standard Chromecast, but also includes a Google TV interface. It's $50 and has a remote. It's a full featured device. It doesn't require any other device to operate. 

Well, a TV, but that's a given for any streaming device.

I've used the Chromecast with Google TV and I like it okay. So why am I testing it? Well, I used it, tried it out for a day or so, but then went right back to my Roku. I'm going to spent the next couple of weeks acting as if the only device I have is Chromecast with Google TV.

I'm not a fan of the Google TV interface; I like Roku's better. But I'm going to force myself to use it for a while.

I am okay with the remote, but I like Roku's better. But I'm going to force myself to use it for a while.

I'll even try out the Google Assistant features, although I don't use Roku's voice features. I'm just not a fan of that. I do use voice control from Google Home devices on occasion, so I'm not opposed to them. It's just that using a remote control is easier for me than trying to tell it what to do.

So, it's Chromecast with Google TV for this Roku fan for the next several days. In fact, I already started.

How will this end? Probably by my going back to using my Roku. But maybe not. Maybe Chromecast with Google TV will become my device of choice. I kinda doubt it, but let's see if this experiment makes a change in My Streaming Life.