GOOGLE CHROMECAST

Chromecast works slightly differently from its rivals in that it’s effectively just a bridge between an Android device and your TV. The Chromecast plugs into an HDMI socket on your TV, but doesn’t run any apps itself. Instead, you launch an app on your Android device, then ‘cast’ the content to your TV screen via the Chromecast. There’s a brief setup procedure (go to chromecast.com/setup on your Android device and follow the prompts), then open your streaming app on your phone or tablet and tap the Cast icon (a TV screen with the Wi-fi symbol across it) to stream to your TV. The basic model (£30) can stream up to 1080p, while the Chromecast Ultra (£70) adds support for 4K/ Ultra HD quality streaming. For this, though, you’ll also need a TV that supports 4K, as well as a very fast (minimum 25Mbps) broadband connection. Even then, Netflix, Youtube, Amazon and others currently only offer a small selection of 4K titles, so you might wonder why you bothered.