Smackdown

Cool, PAC KED WIT H features AND CHEA P AS CHIPS – SUREL Y, THERE MUST BE A CATC H?

Shopping for a TV streamer

that’s all killer, no filler? We pit the Google Chromecast against the Roku Streaming Stick. It’s gonna get nasty!

£ 30, google.com

features

The Chromecast lacks a physical remote – you control it via a smartphone app. Its killer feature, Cast, enables you to beam the screen from your Android device to a TV with a press of a button. Chromecast offers super-fast 801.11ac Wi-Fi.

design

Kudos to Google for creating something that doesn’t look like it was designed by an accountant. The Chromecast is fresh and funky (with three colours to choose from), and the design gives greater connection flexibility.

Interface

The Chromecast doesn’t have its own interface. Essentially, the phone or tablet app acts as the menu. This works superbly, giving you a preview

of what’s on each channel. The question is: are you happy to give up your phone as a remote?

content

Chromecast isn’t short of apps, with a collection on a par with the Roku, though there’s no Amazon Instant Video, which might be a dealbreaker. A big plus of Chromecast is the ability to view website content via Chrome, using a PC or mobile.

Rates It’s fast, funky, cheap, easy to use and aces Roku with its ability to cast content from any device.

Slates Chromecast lacks the Amazon Instant Video app, which is a bummer if you love using the service.