Microsoft has entered the market with its own streaming stick called Wireless Display Adapter. It is the company's first product to compete with the Google Chromecast streaming stick, and already it is appearing as if Microsoft has lost the plot right from the get go.
The device is expected to cost user $60 a pop; that's nearly twice the amount of the price of a Chromecast. The device shares a lot in common with Chromecast, as both devices are capable of sending whatever the user is watching on a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, straight to a TV screen.
Both devices are powered by USB, but when it comes down to the Microsoft's device, it is hardwired to the USB and cannot be removed similarly to the Chromecast. This is a major problem because if the USB wire should go bad, then it would mean whole device would require replacement.
Interestingly enough, Microsoft is using Miracast to power its streaming stick. The reason we find this interesting is because Miracast is an open protocol, and Google chose to bypass it in favor of its own closed protocol. Google is, usually, known as the company that supports standards, but in this case and several others, it is not true.
The device is powered by Miracast technology; users will not be solely streaming the content they want. Miracast streams the display of a smartphone, tablet or laptop, while Chromecast streams the very content users are interested in over the cloud.
The Microsoft device has one big advantage, however, and that is the ability to stream content without the need for an Internet connection. The devices use WiFi-Direct, a protocol that is said to be faster than Bluetooth for wireless transfer.
Not everyone can afford to use up their data plan streaming content from one device to the other, so we could see where the Wireless Data Adapter could take off. Still, the asking price is too much, and the design doesn't help either. The thing looks like something for the enterprise rather than something designed for home use and the cool kids.
But hey, at least it supports both Android and Windows Phone, so users won't have to purchase a new device, unless they own an iPhone.
The device is available right now for pre-order via the Microsoft Store.
