But the living room isn't the only place streaming sticks are being considered for use. Chromecast, along with competitors Apple TV, AIRTAME, Roku LT, and Sony's Bravia Smart Stick, is being eyed as a way to easily stream presentations in board rooms across America. Rather than dealing with projectors and cables, meeting presenters can stream presentations from a device directly to a TV.
The Challenge
The problem is, the technology hasn't quite caught up with business needs. Since technology-driven companies aren't willing to wait for software developers to tweak devices to meet demand, several IT-minded individuals have come up with workarounds that can beam a PowerPoint straight from a computer or mobile device to a TV. Users can upload the presentation to Google Drive then, using the Chrome browser, send the tab to Chromecast.
Google is reportedly working on a way to allow Chromecast users to Chromecast a slideshow directly from Google Docs. Among all of the upcoming solutions, Google's ability to stream directly within its Chrome browser may position it to be the best solution for enterprises interested in using it for presentations.
Benefits to the Enterprise
Among the many benefits streaming sticks can bring to the enterprise is portability. Professionals can easily tuck it into a coat or briefcase pocket to have handy whenever it's needed. Since the device never has to be charged, no maintenance is required. But because Chromecast requires a wi-fi connection and a TV with an HDMI port, professionals may find themselves limited in where they can use it.
Another issue that has been reported with Chromecast is that there can be a slight delay, which can be a problem for those trying to present a concept to a group of people. For enterprises, another challenge may be the required use of Google Chrome, which still has limited adoption in many businesses. For a more reliable option, professionals could experiment with saving the presentation as a YouTube video and Chromecasting from there.
The Roku Solution
Until Google decides to widen its attention to the business market, business users have a more customized option. Those who regularly conduct presentations could invest in a 3M Streaming Projector, which retails for just under $200. Using Roku will require saving PowerPoints as YouTube videos for now, and Roku is far less likely to consider a business use for its projectors than Google, who has the ulterior motive of encouraging businesses to use Google Chrome as a browser over its still more popular competitor, Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Cloud-based streaming is likely to change the way businesses operate, but the demand may be greater for a projector that connects directly to the cloud to access presentations. With these projectors, presenters can use a Bluetooth-enabled keyboard and mouse to input a username and password and access network files without the use of a computer or mobile device.
About Author:
Kirill Bensonoff is a founding partner at ComputerSupport.com, helping small business executives get the most out of their technology investment.
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