Chromecast App for Android and iOS Updated with Custom Backdrop Feature

Google on Wednesday has pushed out an updated Chromecast app for Android and iOS devices which now allows users to set a custom 'Backdrop' image while casting.

With the updated Chromecast app for Android and iOS, users will now be able to choose a Backdrop from their photo albums on Google+, artwork images from galleries and museums around the world via the Google Cultural Institute, satellite imagery of some of the hardest-to-reach places on Earth from Google Maps, and images from Google+ community. Additionally, users in the US can also choose from news and lifestyle images from New York Times, Guardian, Saveur and more, says Google.

Users can navigate to the Backdrop option in the left menu in the Chromecast app, and then choose from the different options available to cast backdrop images on their televisions (see above). To find out more information about an image of interest, users can select Backdrop from the left menu, and then tap on the card. Users can also tap on the microphone icon in the Google Search app followed with a voice command "What's on my Chromecast?" to find out about the image.

Previously, Google had updated the Google+ app for Android users on devices with Android 4.1 or higher, to enable them to 'cast a slideshow of the photos, videos and links', or Google+ stream, from their Android device to a TV via a Chromecast dongle. The update had also brought the ability to edit Auto Awesome movies (only on select devices).

Once the Android device is connected to the Chromecast dongle, the Google+ app's new Chromecast button will auto-cast recent posts in the user's stream to the connected TV. The casted stream plays in a loop and users will see playback control options (previous, pause and next) on the app too.