What will you be watching over Christmas? If you don’t fancy the same dull repeats in between arguing over the turkey and whose turn it is to wash the dishes (seriously, just buy a dishwasher now and be done with it) there are options.
In recent weeks, both Apple and Google have revamped their streaming TV products. In case you haven't heard of Apple TV or Chromecast, here's a quick recap. The devices open up a new world of streaming for your TV, essentially turning your standard HDMI set into a smart TV. You'll need a couple of things. First of all, your TV should have a HDMI port, which most modern sets will include. Access to wifi is also a must so you can connect your devices to content, whether it's streaming from your laptop or an online service.
Which system you opt for will depend on what the majority of your household's devices are. Chromecast can be used with both Android and Apple devices, including Mac laptops, when using Google Chrome as a browser. In theory, you can use the Apple TV without ever picking up an Apple product – all the apps are on the box itself – but you can take advantage of extras such as Airplay streaming if you're hooked into the Apple ecosystem.
So how do the two devices compare?
First glance
At first glance, there’s clearly a lot more to Apple TV. It’s a set-top box with a remote control, rather than the Chromecast’s compact, direct connecting form.
The Chromecast in its previous iteration was a rather uninspiring looking dongle that hung from the side of your TV. The new version has been redesigned to make it a bit easier on the eye, with a built-in HDMI cable too. It’s still pocket-sized, so you can throw it in you bag if you need to shift it elsewhere, and it can be powered from either a wall outlet or a USB port.
Apple TV, meanwhile, hasn’t changed a whole lot from the previous version. It’s still a black box, albeit a little chunkier thanks to the addition of the hard drive. It’s simple, and we like it, but it doesn’t feel like anything revolutionary. It needs a traditional plug too; no USB power support here.
Interface
When it comes to user interface, Apple TV has had the more dramatic overhaul. The old version of its operating system looks almost antiquated and dull in comparison to tvOS, which allows you to install apps from a dedicated app store on the set-top box. That covers everything from video services to games, meaning your Apple TV just got a whole lot more useful.
The Apple TV also comes with its own remote control. Usually referred to as the Siri remote, the voice interaction isn’t officially supported here – it’s only available in eight countries at the time of writing – but with some settings tweaks, you can enable it. That opens up a new way to control the Apple TV, allowing you to find content just by asking for films with a certain actor, or rewinding – “What did he say?” – without having to touch the control. If talking to your TV doesn’t take your fancy, there’s a touch pad on the remote to help you scroll through content and select. The new Apple TV now supports the Remote app for iOS, which is welcome.
Google Chromecast has also had some work. The mobile app has been improved, giving you a What’s On tab to select content from your favourite apps, and a “get apps” section to help you find Cast-compatible apps. Sometimes you need a helping hand to find your way, and this provides a bit of guidance. The devices tab allows you to manage the various Chromecasts you have around the house, including the new audio version. It’s all easy to use and straightforward.
The Chromecast doesn’t need a remote control because, essentially, your tablet or phone is the control. However, should your device die while you’re watching TV, that leaves you without a way to interact with the Chromecast.
Apps
Speaking of those apps, how do the two compare? Apple has traditionally had the advantage on the apps side of things, but Apple TV was one of the only products you couldn’t really customise. If you wanted an new app on your TV box, you had to wait until Apple decided it was time to add it, which meant you were at the mercy of the Apple TV gods. Things have changed. TvOS opens up a whole new world of apps from third-party developers, so you can add or remove them at will. That covers everything from the video services you’d expect to see there, such as
Netflix
and
YouTube
, to games. Apple clearly has its eye on your living room as its next frontier.
You can still send things from your laptop or iOS device to Apple TV via AirPlay, where the app supports it. That’s the reason you need to connect everything to the same wifi network. Games on the Chromecast are nothing new. Google’s device has been doing them for a while, although the offerings are probably a lot simpler there – Wheel of Fortune, or Just Dance Now, for example. But it offers as wide a range of content in terms of video services as the Apple TV, so you don’t lose out by opting for the Chromecast. You can also access audio streaming, such as Deezer, and while there is a separate Chromecast audio product you can connect to speakers, you can still play through your TV if you want.
Services can support Chromecast by adding a Cast button; simply hit the button and you can stream from the app to your TV. It also means that you can use your phone or tablet while the video is streaming without affecting your viewing.
If you get really stuck, you can always mirror your device screen through Chromecast. This removes the ability to use your phone for something else while you stream, but it’s a workaround if your service of choice is not yet Chromecast-enabled.
Storage
This one is a slam dunk for Apple, as it’s the only one that has onboard storage for installing apps, offering you a 32GB or 64GB options. Chromecast still requires that you use your device for apps, with the Chromecast acting as a connection between your smartphone or tablet and the TV. You never store anything on your Chromecast, so it has minimal capacity at 256MB.
Price At €179 Apple TV is more of an investment than the Chromecast, which sets you back a mere €39. The Google device is clearly more budget-friendly in that regard. However, you're not paying for quite the same thing.
The Apple device is a set-top box that can work independently of any smartphone or tablet; Chromecast would struggle without access to one of these devices.
Ultimately your choice comes down to personal preference.
