Tag Archives: pandora

How to add Chromecast Extension on your Chrome Browser

How to add Chromecast extension onto your Chrome browser. By adding the Chromecast extension, you can stream from many websites such as ESPN, FOX, CBS, Netflix, Pandora, and even movie files straight from your PC. This is great for people who does not want to install individual apps onto your tablet or smartphone in order to stream content. In my personal experience, I found that casting from Google Chrome website seems to be more stable and reliable. Besides, I’m usually on my PC when I am working on a project so it is convenient to be able to stream right from where I am working!

  1. First, make sure your PC has WiFi enabled and is connected to the same network as your Chromecast.
  2. Launch Google Chrome browser. If you do not have Google Chrome browser, you can install it from here.
  3. Once you launch Chrome browser, click the three horizontal bars just right of the url bar at the top.

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4. Next, click ‘Settings’ and you will see the below options.
5. Select ‘Extensions’ from the menu on the left. chromecast extension 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. From the Chrome Web Store, search ‘chromecast’. Select ‘Google Cast’ offered by google.com. Do not install any other Chrome or casting extension or app other than from Google unless you trust the source.

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7. Click ‘add to chrome’. The below pop up will appear. Go ahead and select ‘add extension’.

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8. You will see a banner pop up saying Google Cast – Chromecast extension has been installed. Click onto the cast icon on your chrome browser and you will see a request to ‘Help Improve Cast’. It is enabled by default, uncheck it to disable this feature unless you are want to be a willing contributor.

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9. If you click on the cast icon, you will be able to select your Chromecast that is on the same WiFi network.

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10. Once you cast, you have options to mute volume, change quality of video, or to stop casting. Changing the video quality is useful if your Internet connection is not so great and you want to downgrade the streaming quality to prevent streaming issues.

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Google Announced the launch of Google Cast for audio

Google announced the launch of Google Cast which uses the same technology to stream music to speakers, sound bars, and audio / visual. Similar to Chromecast, you cast the audio stream by pressing the cast icon and selecting a Google Cast Ready speaker. Google Cast will be supported through Android, iOS or web. Current list of apps include the following:

Deezer
Google Play
iHeartRadio
NPR One
Pandora
Rdio
TuneIn
and more…

I think we all can admit that this is exactly what we had in mind when we wanted to stream music over our Chromecast. The music quality output from our TV is subpar. Essentially, this allows you to stream music from your phone or tablet directly to a device designed to play music. Google Cast supported devices will launch in Spring of 2015 and some name brands are already on the list such as Sony, LG, Denon and more.

See their promo video here.

See more at g.co/castaudio

Pandora now supports Chromecast!

This morning as I was listening to Pandora music app on my Android phone, I was pleasantly surprised by the Chromecast icon on the bottom right of the screen. If you have a good sound system, this can easily connect to Pandora. For those who are not familiar, Pandora is a free app which allows you to select radio station based on artists, genre, or songs. For a mere $3.99 / month, you can listen to it without any ads. The only downside is that you cannot select the particular song you want to hear at that moment. However, it does do a pretty good job in giving you a mix based on the song title or artist. You can also associate your Pandora account with your social network and share with others your favorites, likes, and activities. I also enjoy being able to listen to Pandora on my PC so I can use it when I work. Give it a try!