Android screencasting arrives for Chromecast in coming days
The latest update to Android’s Chromecast app will begin to introduce some of the new features unveiled at this year’s Google I/O. Specifically, with the 1.7 update Android smartphone and tablet users will have the ability to mirror their screens via Chromecast.
The feature not only allows users to display their Android homescreens on a Chromecast-connected TV or other device, but it also means any application can now be displayed via Google’s budget-friendly streaming dongle. Users won’t have to wait for Chromecast to be enabled on an app-by-app basis.
Upon downloading the update, users will find a “Cast Screen” option among the others listed in the Chromecast app’s navigation drawer. Nexus devices will see a toggle fro screencasting directly in the Android quick settings menu. Once enabled, the user can navigate their phone in the normal manner with a one-to-one projection appearing via Chromecast.
Screencasting is still being dubbed a beta feature, and it unfortunately will not be available to all users immediately. Google says the new capabilities will “roll out to popular Android phone [and] tablets from Samsung, HTC, LG, and others” first. The Chromecast 1.7 update should reach Google Play in the coming days.