Chrome Gets Built-In Cast Option

Heads up, Chrome users: Google is making the Cast functionality more accessible.

Chrome 51 includes a built-in Cast option, which lets you easily play content on your Chromecast-enabled device from your browser. This means you no longer need to install the Cast toolbar icon.

Note that if you previously installed the Cast toolbar icon, there's no need to remove it. It will still work as intended, providing quick access to the Cast functionality.

To try out the new built-in cast option, click the Chrome Tools menu in the top right corner of your Chrome browser window, then click the "Cast…" option. This functionality is also available when you right click a page's tab.

Chrome 51 also includes a handy feature that lets you mirror the contents of a Chrome tab into a Hangout. Check out this page for instructions.

These new features comes after Google last month added Cast functionality to every Fiber TV box. To try it out, just connect your compatible mobile device or laptop to your Fiber TV Wi-Fi, then tap the Cast button from the app you're using to send what you're looking at to your TV. Best of all—you won't need to worry about hooking up any additional equipment or a confusing setup process.

Meanwhile, Chromecast is making some serious headway as of late. According to a recent report from IHS, sales of the little media streaming stick overtook that of Apple TV in the first quarter.

About Our Expert

Angela Moscaritolo

Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

My Experience

I'm PCMag's managing editor for consumer electronics, overseeing an experienced team of analysts covering smart home, home entertainment, wearables, fitness and health tech, and various other product categories. I have been with PCMag for more than 10 years, and in that time have written more than 6,000 articles and reviews for the site. I previously served as an analyst focused on smart home and wearable devices, and before that I was a reporter covering consumer tech news. I'm also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade.

Prior to joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hackers and computer security. I earned a BS in journalism from West Virginia University, and started my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The Technology I Use

My little Florida beach bungalow is brimming with smart home tech. I have a smart speaker or display in every room, allowing me to control other connected devices by voice. The Nest Hub on my bedside table lets me set wake-up alarms, control my smart light bulbs, and set the temperature on my smart thermostat. I use the Amazon Echo Show 8 on my kitchen counter to browse recipes, reorder protein powder, check the weather, and watch the news while I do dishes.

Because I suffer from allergies, air purifiers are essential. My favorite model is the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, which doubles as a fan and continuously sends indoor pollution data to its companion mobile app.

My pitbull Bradley sheds, so a good robot vacuum is a must. I currently use a premium Ecovacs Deebot that can both vacuum and mop, empty its own dustbin, and wash its own mop cloth.

For fitness, I like to mix up my routine with cycling, indoor rowing, running, and strength training in addition to yoga. I take classes on the Tonal 2 smart strength training machine, I row indoors on an Aviron machine, and track my beach runs with an Apple Watch while listening to music on my Apple AirPods Pro. On the weekends, I love riding e-bikes like the rugged, beach-friendly Aventon Aventure for fun and fitness.

My job involves a lot of virtual meetings, so a quality webcam, microphone, and ring light are important. I use the Jabra PanaCast 20 webcam, the Elgato Wave: 3 microphone, and a Yesker tripod ring light.

As for my preferred phone platform, I'm an iPhone person, but I've also extensively used Android for product testing.

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