Chromecast (2018) review: Google's revamped media streamer is what you make of it

There are two ways to think about Google's Chromecast streaming dongle in 2018. You could consider it as your only streaming device, committing to Google's vision of using a phone or tablet as your only TV remote. This unconventional approach has its upsides, but it's less appealing than it used to be as low-cost streamers from Roku and Amazon have become faster and more versatile. Alternatively, you might view Chromecast as a secondary streamer, living alongside the Roku, Fire TV, or Apple TV that you already own. You won't have to give up a proper remote control, but can still use Chromecast to launch videos from your phone, screen-share from an Android phone or laptop, view Google Photos on the big screen, and control your TV with Google Assistant voice commands.