14 DAY TRIAL // Today, Microsoft has unveiled the so-called Wireless Display Adapter, its very own Google Chromecast rival that’s designed to help users stream content from mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and PCs to a TV or even a project fast and easy.
The new device is based on Miracast, and just like Google’s own Chromecast, it is powered by USB, so the only thing you need to do is plug in the USB and the HDMI ends on the adapter into an HDTV, monitor or projector.
Pairing the adapter with a laptop, tablet, or smartphone shouldn’t be too difficult, and all Windows phones already include Miracast support, so the whole process should be completed in a breeze.
Once you’re done, simply start streaming content to your TV, be it music, photos, or videos. There are two options available to mirror the screen of your device or to extend the screen and show the streamed content on a clean display.
Support for both Windows and Android
One of the best things about Microsoft’s new adapter is the support for both Windows and Android. These two platforms already come with hardware working with Miracast, so streaming content from a device powered by either Windows or Android shouldn’t be too difficult.
A real advantage of Microsoft’s device is the fact that Miracast is directly integrated into the phone’s or tablet’s hardware, so once you establish a connection, you can stream whatever you want, without the need for a dedicated application. That also makes possible to stream your screen to the TV and thus create a live demo as you work on your phone, for example.
Just imagine that you want to stream cartoons for your kid or videos from Netflix (installed on your phone), PowerPoint presentations, or your own recordings to a TV. Everything should work like a charm, without additional configurations.
At the same time, Miracast uses Wi-Fi Direct, meaning that no Internet connection is required to pair the phone with the adapter.
This undoubtedly comes in very handy on the go where Internet connections are not available, so streaming would not be impacted by slow connections or anything like that.
Availability
Microsoft’s Wireless Display Adapter will go on sale in October in the United States for $59.95 (46.65 euro), but you can already pre-order it in the US and Canada.
There’s no information as to when the new adapter could go on sale in the rest of the world, but it’s no doubt that Microsoft wants to make it available in as many markets as possible.
It remains to be seen, however, if the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter has the consumer appeal to compete with Google’s Chromecast, which is already the leader of this new growing business.
