Backdrops for Chromecast can show personal photos and more

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By Simon Sage | Oct 08 2014 | 1:06 pm  | 31 Comments

Backdrops for Chromecast

An update to the Chromecast app for Android will let you activate a nice screensaver for your TV populated with all sorts of web content. Backdrops can include Google+ photos, curated artwork, news and lifestyle pictures, and satellite imagery.

If you're looking for more information, just crack open the Google app and ask "What's on my Chromecast?" The Chromecast app itself will also have more information on what images are being shown.

The Chromecast app now has a menu where you can freely toggle what kinds of content is shown, including weather. The update isn't showing up just yet on my Android devices, but it should be rolling out on Google Play today. For those of you unfamiliar, Chromecast is an HDMI dongle for your big-screen TV that can stream all sorts of web content when you use your mobile device as a remote control.

How many of you guys are using Chromecast? Do you see yourself using these backdrops regularly?

Source: Google

Simon Sage

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Reader comments

Backdrops for Chromecast can show personal photos and more

31 Comments
SpookDroid

Reminds me of that Live Wallpaper that connected to museums and stuff... Can't even remember the name, but once upon a time it was uber popular haha

Phoenixfury

You kinda miss the point of the application for this. This is for when you switch your television over to the Chromecast, not for watching a sideshow of pretty pictures. I'd rather see pretty pictures, or my pictures and see the weather temp than just see the same old bland screen with rows of icons much like the Apple TV. This is just something you would glance at momentarily until you pick the app content you want to view.

Posted via the Android Central App

Indy360

Who do I get my Chromecast to show my stock portfolio and relevant financial news as the background? That's what I want.

mikehardez

Always great to have more options.

I will say though, the default photos on slideshow are excellent; breathtaking shots of beautiful locations. Wouldn't mind seeing them in full HD though (currently they seem relatively low res).

Posted via the Android Central App

sushiguy732

Just bought it yesterday. The only thing I'm disappointed in is the fact that I need to use another device in conjunction with chromecast. I was under the impression it had apps preloaded on the dongle. Turns out I'm wrong.

Posted via the Android Central App

Phoenixfury

Oddly enough you're disappointment is what I love most about it and the reason to get a Chromecast in the first place. I think using your smartphone or tablet as the source of content / wifi remote control is genius! Why settle for a boring old tired dumb remote with buttons limited with line of sight when you can have the most advanced smart remote that can control your television / sound system from any room in the house?

Posted via the Android Central App

TenshiNo

Agreed.  I got a smart TV in mid-December last year, then got the Chromecast for Christmas.  I haven't touched the smart TV features once since I got the Chromecast.  These "10' display" UI's are horribly clunky.  And using an onscreen keyboard with a remote is an exercise in tedium and frustration.

mlett

I love the pictures and I love listening to Google Music through my Chromecast. I wish you could listen to music and have the photos displayed on the TV rather than album art (or fireplace).

ChromeJob

You can sorta kinda do this. My Yamaha amp RX-V775 lets you specify a video out when play some audio programs, e.g. Pandora, FM radio. You can see what's playing on Pandora with iOS and Android apps for the Yamaha receiver, and then turn off the on-screen control-display on the TV. Selecting the HDMI IN that the Chromecast is plugged into, I can listen to Pandora while the Chromecast shows me my pics.

mvsmith

I was waiting for this. Didn't Google announce this at I/O being able to use our own pictures on Chromecast. Took a while but glad it's finally here. Can't wait to check my Chromecast when I get home

Posted via Android Central App

Lantesh

I doubt I will use it. What makes the Chromecast so great is its simplicity. I don't really have any desire to install apps on it.

Posted via Android Central App

mlett

You don't. It's inside the Chromecast app that you downloaded to get the Chromecast set up to your wifi.

ChromeJob

Just started trying it. Now there's a reason to create folders in G+, you can put all our hi-res and beautiful pics (or whatever you want: pinups, toys, etc) in a single folder for the Chromecast to cycle through. Thank you Google!

ChromeJob

Oh, BTW, in case anyone missed this....

"... Or, simply open the Google app on your Android or iOS device, tap on the microphone icon and ask “What’s on my Chromecast?”" [Remember that the Google Now launcher lets you launch voice search with "OK Google."]

steveanthonyL20

oh yeah! I have my living room on chromecast constantly so I will be using this feature daily. Thanks for the update AndroidCentral.

John-Smith

Nice! Now to create a folder of pictures and/or wallpapers I'd like for background photos. Really cool feature!