Google Chromecast Review

Chromecast is a small, $35 dongle that you can plug into your TV that enables you to stream online entertainment from your device into your TV. It's great for watching Youtube, Netflix, Hulu, and surfing Google Chrome on a big screen. Just plug the dongle into an HDMI port in any HDTV, get the Chromecast app on your Android or iOS device, and set your TV onto the correct input. After you've done that, you get a step-by-step instruction on how to set it up.

For more information on setting up Chromecast, visit:

https://cast.google.com/chromecast/setup


For Netflix:

Viewing Netflix is an awesome thing to do on Chromecast, because instead of giving the "It's almost over." excuse, I now can see the progress of the movie/show on the mobile device while it's being shown on the big screen. Also, I can switch control between devices. Don't understand? Say I launch Monster's Inc. on my Windows laptop, I can easily plop down on my couch, and instead of bringing my laptop over, I can control the Monster's Inc, right on my mobile phone.

Google Play:

Streaming with Google Play Movies is a great tack-on feature, but it has its downsides. First of all, volume control for Play Movies is not possible, which brings in your TV remote. Wasn't that supposed to be gone with Chromecast? For me though, that's not too much of a problem, because it's not often that I watch from Play Movies. If you only use Play Movies, it may cause you to hesitate for a second.

Chrome:

Streaming with Chrome has to be the worst of all apps and sites that you could stream with. First of all, when listening to music on internet radios like Pandora or iHeartRadio, I encountered lots of bugs, mostly changes in music speed for a second or two.

Also, watching a video straight from Chrome decreased the video quality quite a bit, and added skips, just like the good old days.


Overall, I'd give Chromecast a strong 7.5 out of 10.

Oculus VR

The Oculus VR is a virtual-reality game system that you place over your head. After placing it on your head, you are immersed into the world of the video game, because the placement on your head makes you think you are part of the setting.

It brings a whole new line of gaming technology. I truly believe that this way of playing is so much better than looking at a screen and thinking "This is so fake looking." You can now really be "part" of the game.

                                                      Picture Courtesy of Oculus Vr, Inc.

Cyanogenmod Crushed?

Cyanogenmod is a Jellybean-based Android custom ROM, which many people decide to use for Android phones, instead of the stock ROM.
Recently, Cyanogenmod released an installer to make it much easier for more inexperienced users to install it. Until of course Google took it off the Play Store. They claim that it violates developer rules, and forced it off the market.
Although the installer can still be found on Cyanogen's website, they're still looking for a way to get it back on the Google Play Store.

Picture Courtesy of Cyanogen, Inc.

Black Friday Shopping

Hello Techinators,

So it's Black Friday, and people have been camping out outside of Best Buy for the past two weeks. I just wanted to tell you guys that I just got an LG Ultra HDTV, and a new XBOX One. What did you guys get, or what do you plan to get?

Leave it in the comments below.

LG Ultra HDTV 

XBOX One

Picture Courtesy of Microsoft, Inc.

Chargecard

This is great for times that your phone is dieing and you need battery quickly. You can plug it into your phone for as an external battery.

Just pre-charge the card in the wall and you be set to go. The card is also very small, the size of a credit card.

Price: $25 @ Chargecard

                                                 Picture Courtesy of Nomad, Inc.

Evoluent VerticalMouse 4

A new approach to ergonomic computer mice, this mouse has a nice design and feel to it. Although costly, it comes programmable buttons - a real bonus.

Price: $90-$110 @ Evoluent

                                                               Picture Courtesy of Evoluent

The Livescribe Wi-Fi Smartpen

The Livescribe Smartpen is a truly amazing work of tech. This pen uses special paper to record what you write, and can record sound at the same time! The Wi-Fi models can automatically upload to your phone or other device!

Price: $169.95 @ LiveScribe

                                                     Picture Courtesy of LiveScribe, Inc.