Android mobile + Chromecast + LED TV

Chromecast is a flash drive sized device that has wifi capability to get data from your network and display it on TV.

It has a USB port for charging and an HDMI port to connect to the TV. It can be controlled by your device (mobile, desktop or laptop) with the help of a Chromecast app. Except in some cases, your device is just a controller and the data is directly pulled by Chromecast via wifi - so if the device is your mobile, its charge is not used up.

Photo courtesy: Google

Not all apps work with Chromecast. However, there are many apps that do - Chrome browser, Youtube and more.

To sum up, this is what you need:

• Wi-fi network
• Chromecast
• LED TV

Scenarios in which Chromecast is helpful:

• Big screen is required e.g. watching movies, reading a document
• You have a mobile, have to type more and are not satisfied with the smaller screen.
• You have a desktop/laptop but need a second, relaxed position to work

For a wireless setup, use a Bluetooth keyboard with touchpad, or see the FAQ on how to use a wired/wireless USB keyboard.

The Chromecast page has a few short videos on how to setup and use Chromecast.

FAQ

* Which versions of Android are supported?
Android 4.4.2 and later. (Android 4.4 is known as KitKat.)

* If I travel, or don't have a wifi modem, what are the options?
Chromecast can be used if there are two devices - both could be yours, or one could be your mobile and the other a hotel wifi router (configured for device to device communication). For example, see this page and this.

* Can I play files present in the device?
Yes. Drag and drop (or open) a file in a tab in the Chrome browser. Or, use an app like BubbleUPnP.

* Can a USB keyboard be used?
Chromecast does not have a provision to connect a keyboard or a mouse. So connect an OTG microUSB-to-USB cable between your mobile and the keyboard (explained in detail here). If you would like to use a wireless keyboard and mouse, connect an OTG cable to your mobile and connect the wireless receiver to the other end of the cable.

* There's not much privacy if I use my TV, can I use an computer monitor?
Yes. It would be unusual for your monitor to have speakers. Which means an adapter is required to separate HDMI to audio and video (VGA, DVI etc.). Get an adapter based on the type of video input that your monitor accepts - HDMI to DVI, DisplayPort or VGA (first two are better).

* Chromecast Help