Skip to main content

Google adding built-in Chromecast streaming options to Chrome browser

chromecast ultra news version 1474885825 in hand
Google is making it easier to beam video to your television using its Chrome browser and a Chromecast. Version 51 of Google Chrome features a built-in Cast command, whereas previously users have had to download a separate extension to communicate with the streaming device.

Users can now begin casting video by right-clicking a tab in Chrome and selecting Cast, according to a report from Ars Technica. This should make the hardware even more accessible to tech novices, which is an important element of Google’s attempt to infiltrate the living room.

The latest version of the Chrome browser also removes some of the legwork expected from users when streaming a video. Previously, users had to make tweaks to settings like bit rate, video quality. and resolution, but now that’s all taken care of automatically by the software.

Looking further forward, it seems that version 52 of Chrome will add even more functionality for anyone eager to use their browser to stream video. The next update will reportedly add the ability to share content to a Google Hangout directly from Chrome — although there seems to be a bit of legwork involved.

Users will have to make some changes to their Cloud Services preferences, which determine how much access to your Google account the browser is given. To get ready for the new functionality in version 52, you’ll need to be using Chrome while logged into your account, and have “Enable Cloud Services” checked in your settings.

However, there’s no timeline on when version 52 will be made available. Version 51, on the other hand, is being distributed now — if you don’t have access to the Cast command just yet, it should be rolled out to your browser sooner rather than later.

Editors' Recommendations

Brad Jones
Brad is an English-born writer currently splitting his time between Edinburgh and Pennsylvania. You can find him on Twitter…
Google may have just fixed Chrome’s most annoying problem
A Macbook with Google Chrome opened to a Gmail inbox.

While Google Chrome is one of the best web browsers, over the years it has gained a reputation for being something of a resource hog, gobbling up your PC’s memory like it’s going out of style. That can be a problem if you’re running other resource-heavy tasks and don’t want things to slow down. Now, Chrome has been updated with two new features that cut down on memory usage and extend your laptop’s battery life, according to Google. The changes are set to roll out today with the latest release of Chrome on desktop (version m108).The first new feature, dubbed Memory Saver, is designed to reduce the amount of memory Chrome’s tabs use. It does this by freeing up memory from inactive tabs, and putting them to sleep so they can’t monopolize your system’s resources. When you need to access the tabs again, they will be reloaded and become active. The goal of Energy Saver, meanwhile, is fairly self-explanatory -- helping your laptop battery last longer -- but it does so in a somewhat interesting way. When your battery drops to 20%, Chrome will try to prolong your battery life by “limiting background activity and visual effects for websites with animations and videos.”Presumably, this means Chrome will limit the kind of flashy effects that have made a comeback in web design in recent years. Google says that when these new features launch, users will still be able to customize them to their liking. You can disable either Memory Saver or Energy Saver (or both), and mark certain websites as exempt in Chrome’s settings. The changes could turn out to be important. While Chrome has managed to become the dominant Windows web browser and one of the best browsers for Mac, it has been plagued by poor memory management for years. If Memory Saver and Energy Saver are able to help ameliorate that -- and make your battery last longer too -- then Google might have gone some way to fixing Chrome’s biggest problem. Both Memory Saver and Energy Saver will be launched globally over the next few weeks. The features are coming to Chrome on Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS.

Read more
Google is now supporting my awful browser habits, and I love it
Google Chrome opened on a laptop.

Google has just released a new update for Chrome, and it could be a real timesaver if you're anything like me.

I have some pretty bad habits when it comes to how I use my browsers, and instead of forcing me to improve, Google is supporting me. Needless to say, I love it.

Read more
These Chrome extensions will put cash-saving coupons right in your browser
Woman shopping online for best Early Prime Day Deals

You can save time and money this holiday season with just a few clicks, and you don't have to hunt for those coupon codes on your own anymore, either.

If you know you're going to do your holiday shopping online this year via your Chrome browser, why not let a coupon code browser extension help you out? If you need help choosing one for yourself, read on to see our picks for the best Chrome extensions for holiday shopping coupons.
Rakuten

Read more