Google Chromecast
Jakob Nielsen has a famous list of 10 usability heuristics. Below is my view on how the Google Chrome Cast is doing based off these 10 factors.
#1: Visibility of system status
The system should always keep users informed about what is going on, through appropriate feedback within reasonable time.
The device doesn’t really show anything on the actual device since you just plug it into the TV and an outlet. However, when you turn on the TV and go to the right source channel, you are greeted with a welcome page with a background picture, the time, “Google” in the corner, and occasionally a pin code.
Then in your phone, if an app supports Google Chromecast, you will see a little icon to connect to your Chromecast.
Once it’s connected, your TV screen will change to something with the words “Ready to Cast” or just something with the apps name on the screen.
#2: Match between system and the real world
The system should speak the users’ language, with words, phrases and concepts familiar to the user, rather than system-oriented terms. Follow real-world conventions, making information appear in a natural and logical order.
It’s actually super easy to use. You mainly just need to plug it into the TV and an outlet and then download the app so you will get the extension added into apps that support Chromecast. The app has many different languages to choose from so it’s easy to switch to a language you prefer. You can also customize the time format, time zone, and some other features.
#3: User control and freedom
Users often choose system functions by mistake and will need a clearly marked “emergency exit” to leave the unwanted state without having to go through an extended dialogue. Support undo and redo.
You can always disconnect from Chromecast if you hit the wrong show or you can pause the videos. And if you accidentally disconnect, you can always just reconnect. There isn’t really much you can do to mess it up.
#4: Consistency and standards
Users should not have to wonder whether different words, situations, or actions mean the same thing. Follow platform conventions.
The icon is consistent in the way it looks for each app but the location of it changes which is sometimes annoying, but you get used to it.
#5: Error prevention
Even better than good error messages is a careful design which prevents a problem from occurring in the first place. Either eliminate error-prone conditions or check for them and present users with a confirmation option before they commit to the action.
There isn’t really error prevention set up for Chromecast at the time.
#6: Recognition rather than recall
Minimize the user’s memory load by making objects, actions, and options visible. The user should not have to remember information from one part of the dialogue to another. Instructions for use of the system should be visible or easily retrievable whenever appropriate.
You learn where the icon to connect to Chromecast is when you use it enough. After a few times, you will just know where on your screen to click for it to connect and how to work it. You will see that the TV screen displays the choices that you made so you will know if it worked or not.
#7: Flexibility and efficiency of use
Accelerators — unseen by the novice user — may often speed up the interaction for the expert user such that the system can cater to both inexperienced and experienced users. Allow users to tailor frequent actions.
There isn’t really much personalization with Chromecast however, it is a pretty simple tool and device to use so there isn’t much need for personalization.
#8: Aesthetic and minimalist design
Dialogues should not contain information which is irrelevant or rarely needed. Every extra unit of information in a dialogue competes with the relevant units of information and diminishes their relative visibility.
It has a very minimalist design considering there is only 1 icon that shows in apps that support Chromecast. Also, the images the device uses as backgrounds before you connect to an app are really pretty most of the time; sometimes they’re weird but it’s a slideshow so it’ll change soon if you don’t like it.
#9: Help users recognize, diagnose, and recover from errors
Error messages should be expressed in plain language (no codes), precisely indicate the problem, and constructively suggest a solution.
Sometimes the internet isn’t connected, or the device is connected to a different internet to the phone or maybe your Chromecast is unplugged. Well unless you figure it out yourself, you won’t really know. The device doesn’t really tell you if something is wrong so if something does go wrong even if it’s just as simple as plugging in the device, you won’t know unless you figure it out yourself.
#10: Help and documentation
Even though it is better if the system can be used without documentation, it may be necessary to provide help and documentation. Any such information should be easy to search, focused on the user’s task, list concrete steps to be carried out, and not be too large.
If you google “Google Chromecast help”, the first link is to a google support page for the Chromecast. On there, you can find answers to many questions and if your answer isn’t answered on that page, you can always google it and most likely find an answer or some support to help you out.
Google Chromecast is very useful to allow you to connect to your TV and play movies, TV shows, music, and more without needing to buy any additional expensive devices. Depending on you and how you use your TV this might be enough for you and it’s not too expensive which is a plus.
Below are a couple of experiences my friends have had with their Google Chromecast devices to show you examples of things you can do:
Person 1’s Experience
It’s so cool and easy to use. I love that I can just connect my phone and show you a video on youtube or just play Netflix for everyone without needing all the wires and converters and adapters and whatever else. It just makes it so easy but I wish it didn’t disconnect from the app as it does sometimes. It’s just a little annoying to have to reconnect to Chromecast if I want to pause the video sometimes.
Person 2’s Experience
It makes things easier especially since I hated having wires in my room (they didn’t look pretty). Also, they were never long enough to actually be useful and I’m so glad I found this affordable solution. Sure it has some issues with the connection at times but for the price, it’s great!
