I could never get my parents to use a ps3 or 360 or whatever to watch netflix, and them looking vod meant using a crappy service that let them download files into their own "media player". Since they have a chromecast, all they need to do is open whatever they want on their tablet and press a button.

As for myself, I use to it to stream my video games on TV using the "stream entire screen" option in google cast extension in chrome.

You can use your existing apps that you already have on your smartphone and have it "cast" to your TV. "Casting" is simplying saying... take this video link, and play it full screen on my TV. Or if you were using Spotify, "play my music through the TV, instead of through my phone". All the while, you're able to keep controlling the experience (pause/rewind/etc).

* Backdrop. Now my TVs are slideshows. * Casting. Web, video and sound to my TVs. * Presentations. Can cast documents & presentations.

Little setup, compatible with laptops, tables and phones. Just works.

The Chromecast app includes a feature called 'backdrop' that allows using a photo album as background screensaver images.