Ever since Chromecast was released though, the market has changed quite a bit. Now we have a lot of streaming devices we can choose from, with the most popular ones including the Amazon Fire, Roku, and the Apple TV.

However, Google has released version 2 of their dongle and now you can get the google chromecast 2 which promises amazing performance at the same price. Some of the new features include screen mirror, but also gaming mirroring, and content aggregation.

Design and setup

While the original Chromecast looked very much like a stick, the second generation seems to shy away from that design. The 2nd gen features a round chassis that can be connected to your television’s HDMI port. In fact, the google chromecast 2 is also a cross-platform device, meaning that it has support for both Windows and iOS devices. The broader compatibility together with its low cost makes it by far one of the most attractive offers for anyone looking for a high quality streaming device.

As it was with the original Chromecast, the setup process for the latest iteration is basically the same. You just need to attach the power cable and then install Chromecast on your laptop, tablet or smartphone. At this point you’ll just need to power up the application and then follow the commands on the screen to connect the device to your Wi-Fi network and finally pair it with your chosen device. Once you do this, you’ll be able to start streaming.

The new app

Even though the setup process is simply the same, the second generation Chromecast runs a fully redesigned app. According to Google, their app now acts as a sort of hub for all your digital content needs. So the way it works is that it pulls content from every app that you have installed on your device and then makes it possible for you to stream it.

This is very useful, since no more will you need to access each app individually in order to stream your desired content from it. You can therefore watch videos from Vimeo and Netflix alongside with videos recently added to the BBC iPlayer, for instance. Better yet, the google chromecast 2 also features a cross platform search function. What this means is that you can search for content from all other apps installed on your device, making the Chromecast 2 a truly all in 1 entertainment hub.

Large number of apps supported

One thing you’ll certainly love about the google chromecast 2 is the fact that it supports a wider range of applications. In terms of entertainment, Spotify is by far the best addition. If you used the 1st gen Chromecast, you probably know that it didn’t have Spotify support. The 2nd Gen Chromecast also added support of productivity apps, including Polaris Office and Google Docs. Another great addition is the ability of streaming web pages from tabs opened in Chrome. Thanks to this new functionality, you can now easily stream content from unsupported apps onto your TV. Lastly, google chromecast 2 supports some basic Android games (such as Wheel of Fortune for instance).

Streaming quality

According to Google, it seems that their latest Chromecast iteration is able to stream video a lot faster thanks to the added Fast Play feature and especially the 5 GHz Wi-Fi network support. As you may already know, the newest 5 GHz frequency allows the Chromecast 2nd Gen to connect to other devices a lot faster. If you had the first Generation Chromecast with its 2.4 GHz, you probably noticed that sometimes it would get jittery when streaming content.

Now when it comes to the Fast Play feature, it’s certainly a nice addition. The way it work is that it starts to cache content (that you’re likely to watch) in the background. Based on what Google said, thanks to this function you’ll be able to stream content about 80 percent faster.

Google Chromecast comparison (1stGen vs. 2nd Gen)

We wanted to compare the two Chromecasts and so we pitted them against each other. The results were as expected: the second generation was a bit faster. In our tests, we used a 55 inch Sony TV while streaming content from BBC iPlayer, Vimeo, and Netflix on a Samsung Galaxy S7 smartphone and a BUT Home Hub router.

We tested both devices on the 2.4 GHz frequency and were surprised to find out that the 1st generation Chromecast loaded between 2 to 5 seconds faster than the second generation. We then changed the frequency to 5GHz, but unfortunately no speed or picture quality improvements were noticed. In terms of loading times though, Chromecast 2 was faster.

While the device is truly impressive, it cannot yet stream 4K content unlike other competitors, such as Amazon Fire TV and nVidia Shield TV. While there is not too much 4K content out there anyway, the lack of 4K support doesn’t make the device future proof.

Should you get the Chromecast 2?

Well, if you currently have a first generation Chromecast device, then you certainly should not buy it. Its main selling point is the new app and improved application support. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a streaming device, then by all means get it.

Compared to all other options on the market, the Chromecast 2 is by far the most affordable choice. Not only that, but it offers functionality that is usually found in devices at least twice as expensive. Even if you’re an iOS user, we still recommend this device especially if you’re on a budget.

Conclusion

Without a doubt, the Chromecast 2 is one of the best valued streaming devices you can currently get. While it’s not terribly original, it does its job of streaming content extremely well.

The post An honest review of the Google Chromecast 2 appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

App Dynamic, the company behind the popular AirPlay receiver – AirServer, has released its first Android app – AirServer Connect for Apple TV. The application is an AirPlay sender for Android (works with Android version 5 and newer) and unlike the iOS version, it can mirror to more than one AirPlay receivers (such as Apple TV or Mac/PC running AirServer) at the same time.

AirServer Connect is compatible with Apple TV 2/3/4 and AirServer for Mac and PC.

However, the app has one huge limitation – it does not stream audio; it only does video mirroring. This is due to the lack of system audio capture support in Android, which Google has reserved for their personal use.

AirServer Connect for Apple TV is available on the Play Store for $0.99.

Read our review of AirServer.

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ for all the latest Apple TV-related news.

The post AirServer Connect for Apple TV brings multi-room AirPlay mirroring to Android appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

With Reflector 2, you will be able to broadcast your Android phone or tablet screens to your Mac and PC. And since Chromebooks support Google Cast, you can do the same with them, too.

Reflector 2 is the result of years of experience with screen mirroring and sharing. It’s a completely rethought and redesigned application containing a number of game-changing features.

With this launch, we’re excited to announce Reflector 2 as the world’s first Google Cast mirroring receiver for Mac and Windows that doesn’t limit device connections or require a subscription .

Just like with iOS devices, now you can record the Android displays too and even record multiple displays simultaneously.

Reflector 2 brings many other recording improvements, like the ability to add voice-over while recording the screen, which should be a boon for vloggers.

Reflector 2 also brings better device management on board. You can select devices and set preferences directly from the menu bar or even via an iPhone app. Also, when you have multiple devices connected, Reflector 2 now lays them out perfectly for best productivity.

You can read more about the update here and more on Reflector here.

Reflector 2 is a paid update and existing users should receive a mail with a discounted price. New users can purchase Reflector 2 or download a free 7-day trial.

The post Reflector 2 brings support for Google Cast appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

I have a YouTube channel where I upload gameplay videos of the games I find interesting. But it has been a bit idle recently thanks to the dearth of good screen capturing softwares. I have been researching to find an ideal one, but most of them are directed towards Mac. As a PC user, I finally got the desired results with AirServer.

I had heard about AirServer before, but it filled the headlines some time ago when it gained Miracast support and enhanced performance features on PC. This is why I decided to give it a try.

AirServer is now called AirServer Universal and it turns your Windows PC into a universal mirroring receiver, allowing you to mirror using AirPlay and Miracast simultaneously to the same screen.

Setting up AirServer

As with most mirroring softwares, the setting up was pretty smooth. Once I downloaded a seven megabyte file, I was ready to start streaming in less than a minutes.

Those who have a firewall enabled will however need to exempt AirServer from its settings, which might be the only hiccup you’ll come across. Don’t worry, the instructions for the same come bundled with the software and will pop up during the setup. Just follow them and you will do just fine.

Mirroring to PC

As for my use, how my iOS screen gets recorded is more important than how it shows up on the PC screen. And that is why I have been coping with the subpar mirroring quality and occasional flickering I’ve had with other softwares, because the final recordings looked good with them. Or somewhere deep within, I believed that there was a limit of clarity one could achieve in such situations.

But the belief was blown to pieces by AirServer as I have been getting excellent results, even with the live stream. The lag is almost negligible and the least of all the apps I have tried.

So if your requirement involves you showing off your app or a mobile website directly on a PC, AirServer should do the trick for you.

Miracast with AirServer

AirServer Universan can simultaneously mirror both AirPlay and Miracast.

The best part is that there is no setup needed from the Android device. Just like you connect your iPhone or iPad to an Apple TV, you can Miracast your WP or Android device directly from the Settings.

As it turns out, not every PC is supported: the Miracast services in AirServer will work on all computers with WiFi adapter which has NDIS6,4 drivers (Windows 8.1). This is not a hardware limitation but a software (driver) limitation.

Check out system requirements for AirServer Universal.

iOS screen recording with AirServer

For me, this is the very reason I bought AirServer in the first place and, fortunately, it din’t disappoint. Unlike other softwares I’ve used in the past, I have more control over how the recording is stored, its resolution, type of audio output, refresh rates, contrast and sharpness, and much more.

I remember turning off 1080p streaming with other clients, but AirServer manages full HD easily even on my ULV processor. The results were stunning and I never experienced any loss of connection, glitches or bugs while recording.

Conclusion

AirServer is undoubtedly the best at what it does.

It can mirror multiple iOS devices simultaneously to your PC screen with ease and elegance. Though I am converting my free trial into a paid license only for its powerful recording features, I am sure its excellence in mirroring makes the possibilities endless for professionals. Especially if you can connect your PC to a projector, thanks to the bring-your-own-device feature, anybody can show off his screen with just a tap.

If you’re looking for the Miracast function, you might want to make sure you have a reasonably recent PC and a supported phone to make use of it. You can just drop in a mail to the ever-friendly AirServer support team to find out if your configuration supports casting feature.

You can check the AirServer website to read more about the features.

AirServer Universal is sold at $14.99 (consumer license), $7,99-$11.99 (educational license) or $19,99 (business license) and you can get it from here.

A free 7 day trial of a fully featured version is also available.

The post AirServer Universal – AirPlay and Miracast receiver for PC [Review] appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

PC version of AirServer, one of the most advanced AirPlay receivers out there, just got a huge update: it’s now called AirServer Universal and it features full Miracast support.

Developed in partnership with Intel and Microsoft, AirServer Universal turns your Windows PC into a universal mirroring receiver, allowing you to mirror using AirPlay and Miracast simultaneously to the same screen.

It means that using AirServer Universal you can now wirelessly share the screen of any device that supports AirPlay mirroring (iPhone, iPad) or Miracast (Surface, Windows Phone or Android devices) to your computer, and from there, to your projector, smartboard or HDTV.

There is obviously no need to install anything on a AirPlay or Miracast compatible devices. Even projecting from Windows 8.1 based tablet or PC without installing any 3rd party utility is fully supported.

According to the developers, AirServer Universal is the “world’s first and only” BYOD (bring your own device) solution that enables collaboration across different apps across platforms.

We achieve this by sending the entire display over AirPlay or Miracast. For the first time you can exercise the freedom of your device choice.

AirServer Universal is fully compatible with the built-in “Project” feature in Windows 8.1 based tablets and PCs such as Microsoft Surface and “project my screen” feature in Miracast enabled Windows Phones.

The new AirServer can be installed on WIndows 8.1 based PC/tablets with latest updates and a WiFi adapters running Windows 8.1 specific drivers (NDIS 6.4). These include:

• Surface Pro
• Surface Pro 2
• Surface Pro 3
• Intel 7260 based machines

AirServer Universal is sold at $14.99 (consumer license), $7,99-$11.99 (educational license) or $19,99 (business license) and you can get it from here. A free 7 day trial of a fully featured version is also available.

The update is free for all existing users.

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ for all the latest Apple TV-related news.

The post AirServer Universal – World’s first Miracast receiver for PC released appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

Even with the earlier versions of the app, doubleTwist Music Player has been unique by being the only Android app in its class to support AirPlay streaming right out of the box.  However then, the app could beam only the local songs on your device and not the music from its streaming service. And you can guess, what the latest update does.

You can now choose from Magic Radio’s huge catalog and broadcast it directly to your Apple TV or any other AirPlay enabled receivers.

This update also brings support for Qualcomm’s AllPlay, despite the brow-raising fact that doubleTwist Music Player hasn’t earned the support for Google Cast feature yet.

Our latest doubleTwist Music Player Android update brings something magical: now you can blast your favorite Magic Radio stations on your AirPlay-compatible speakers or stream music through your Apple TV, directly from your Android phone.

In short, if you have an android device incapable of Wi-Fi streaming to your new set of speakers, you can “go ahead, remove your headset, relax and pump up that volume!” thanks to Magic Radio (provided you can spare 9 bucks/month as subscription charges).

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ for all the latest Apple TV-related news.

The post Magic Radio for Android can now AirPlay to your Apple TV appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

XBMC is probably the most popular and versatile media managing hub out there, thanks to its supports for a variety of content, provision for third party addons and compatibility with almost all operating systems.

However, Apple doesn’t seem to think so, as there are no XBMC apps for iPhone or iPad nor any XBMC support on Apple TV, may be due to the misuse for piracy. But it seems unfair that the rest non-pirate good fellas have to suffer too.

And although there is a way to get XBMC working on the original Apple TV, as well as on jailbroken Apple TV 2 (see more details at the end of this post), there are still millions of Apple TV 3 (and non-jailbreakable Apple TV 2*) owners left without the ability to get XBMC on their little, black boxes.

But while we can in no way add XBMC directly to the Apple TV 3, there sure is a way to enjoy XBMC content on the HDTV using a 3rd gen. Apple TV. Here’s how.

XBMC on Apple TV 3

If you do have an Apple TV 3 and want to watch XBMC on your big screen, the best shot would be to make use of the AirPlay Mirroring feature of iOS devices and Macs and even Android and PCs with just the right apps and software. These methods can be used for older generation Apple TVs too. So read on.

1. Using iPhone or iPad

This method works only if you have a jailbroken iOS device. Find out more about jailbreaking your iDevice.

• Installing XBMC on jailbroken iDevice:

Step 1 – Open Cydia > Sources > Edit > Tap the plus button on left top > add this source and confirm
https://mirrors.xbmc.org/apt/ios/

Step 2 – Once the source is added, you can either search for XBMC or find it within the source. Tap on Install and Confirm.

Now your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch is running the complete XBMC suite. Just enable AirPlay Mirroring from the pull up menu and your HDTV will start the show.

You’ll notice that the app screen and media are showing boxed-in or with black pillars on its sides. Fear not! Within the app, just go into Settings > System > Video > Display mode and change it to FullScreen #2

XBMC will automatically detect that you’re on an Apple TV and turn the device’s screen into a gesture based remote and you can enjoy your movies in full screen on the HDTV.

2. Using a Mac

Download and install XBMC on your Mac from the official site.

Just enable OS X native AirPlay Mirroring to the Apple TV 3 and it’s done.

However, if you want to multitask simultaneously, like edit a document or surf the internet or watch another movie while your wife watches the XBMC media, you can get other mirroring apps like AirParrot, which helps to broadcast specific single apps. You can just hide the XBMC windows on the Mac and start using Safari or Keynote, without them showing up on the television.

3. Using a Windows computer

In this case we will use AirParrot, the only software out there that enables screen mirroring on Windows.

Step 1 – Get AirParrot for Windows
Step 2 – Download and install XBMC for Windows from here

Step 3 – Right click on the AirParrot icon in the bottom right toolbar and select your Apple TV.

Done! Your Windows computer’s screen is is now being streamed to your Apple TV. Open XBMC on the PC and start watching movies on the big screen.

4. Using Android phones or tablets

Koushik Dutta‘s Mirror app (currently in beta) can now mirror your Android screen to an Apple TV.

To try Mirror beta, you need to do the following:

1) Root your Android 4.4.2 phone (“not necessary in the future”)
2) Join the ClockworkMod community
3) Join the beta
4) Download the app from Google Play

Now, install XBMC on your Android device from XBMC downloads page. Fire it up and AirPlay to your Apple TV.

Sounds simple enough, but, since we haven’t tried this method ourselves yet (as this wasn’t possible until recently), we’d love to hear back from you guys on the results.

So these are the methods by which you can get XBMC to show up on your HDTV using the Apple TV 3 or non-jailbreakable Apple TV 2. Please try them out and let us know which one works the best for you.

XBMC on Apple TV 1st Generation

The process is a bit complicated for Apple TV 1 users. In this case, you’ll be using a software called OpenElec and you won’t be able to install XBMC as a separate channel on your set-top box but instead you’ll need to install XBMC as a stand-alone operating system on it. In short, your old Apple TV will boot directly into the XBMC home screen.

Find our detailed tutorial here.

The latest beta of OpenElec supports XBMC 13.0 Gotham.

XBMC on Apple TV 2nd Generation (jailbreakable)

Apple TV 2 has a stable and popular jailbreak solution, which will easily enable you to install XBMC directly on the Apple TV. Seas0nPass JB for Apple TV 2 is very well accepted by users and it is evident with the too high asking price for used Apple TV 2 on eBay. So if you’re not already jailbroken, it is highly recommended that you do it by following our tutorial.

Once you’re jailbroken, you can follow this guide to install XBMC.

* Latest jailbreakable Apple TV software version is 5.3.

Holiday Gift Guide 2015: Best Accessories for Apple TV

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for all the latest Apple TV-related news.

The post How to get XBMC on Apple TV 3 (or non-jailbreakable Apple TV 2) appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

Squirrels, the developer behind the popular AirPlay Mirroring app AirParrot, has just launched Slingshot, a service-based application allowing cross-platform screen and file sharing. Claimed to be “the first application that allows screen sharing from a mobile device while meeting with others online”, Slingshot lets you share your iOS, Mac or Windows screen with anyone in a Slingshot session – regardless of the device they are using (Android is supported too).

The service also includes online collaboration and meeting tools. Meeting Minutes allows anyone in a session to take collaborative notes in real time, and instant file sharing shares files with everyone in a session. Users files appear instantly in the meeting for others to review and download.

The app also allows to mirror a specific application while continuing to use other applications. Video, audio and text chat are available across all devices, too.

Slingshot also includes face-to-face chat with up to five streaming webcams in a session.

Find out more about Slingshot in the original article posted on What’s on iPhone.

The post Squirrels releases Slingshot, a cross-platform screen and file sharing app appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

doubleTwist has released a new tweak that adds AirPlay support for Google Play Music. A hack named AirPlay for Android makes use of the API in Android 4.1 which adds support for streaming devices. It is available right now on Google Play as an app, MagicPlay: AirPlay for Android for $2.99. Though publicized as a way to stream Google Play Music from Android to Apple TV, they’ve clarified that this hack will work with any music app that supports Google Chrome Casting.

In order to get AirPlay feature for your Android, you can follow this official guide:

1. Install the doubleTwist AirPlay for Android package
2. Launch the Google Play Music app and tap the Cast (streaming) button
3. Grant root access when prompted (this patches the plugin whitelist)
4. Force stop the Google Play Music app and relaunch it
5. AirPlay devices on your WiFi network should now appear when tapping Cast

Android has a built-in white list feature, which regularly checks for streaming devices and disconnects anything other than Nexus Q and Sonos, for which the API was initially designed. So you might have to restart the app now and then to shake Apple TV off this list. But if you’re already rooted, this caveat is automatically patched by the tweak and things are bright as ever.

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for all the latest Apple TV-related news.

The post Stream music from Android devices to Apple TV or AirPlay speakers with doubleTwist’s MagicPlay appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.

Its been a long time since Amazon started cooking its next big thing in video entertainment and after months of rumors and hiccups, they will finally shed the curtain of their very own set-top box.

Amazon has sent out media invitations for a New York event on April 2nd, to witness an update to their video business. And based on the cover photo (shown below) depicting a couch and spilled popcorns, it is safe to guess that we’re looking at Amazon’s move in the living room tech battle.

Obviously, the set-top box will be a streaming device which can be connected to your HDTV to view video content from Amazon Prime Instant Video and will be in direct competition with Apple TV, Roku and Google Chromecast.

It is speculated to be Android-based and to come with support for games and other apps too, controlled by a hardware remote or a mobile app. And guessing from one of their previous trademark filings, the device will be named Amazon FireTube matching their fire tablet lineup.

On the other hand, Apple is rumored to be making some significant changes to the Apple TV in the next update with a brand new interface, support for apps, games and controllers. The set-top box industry is surely heating up quickly and only time will tell who’ll crack the code first.

Read more about Apple TV 4.

Be sure to follow Apple TV Hacks on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for all the latest Apple TV-related news.

The post Amazon to unveil its Apple TV competitor next week appeared first on Apple TV Hacks.