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How to Add Widgets to Your Chromecast's Home Screen

Aug 8, 2014 09:41 PM
Weather and clock display on a monitor.

The idle screen for the Chromecast is certainly beautiful. Full of many high-definition pictures taken of various parts of the world, it's almost a shame that we have to dismiss this screen in order to cast content.

The folks over at RiR Software love this idle screen, too. So much so, that they merely looked to enhance it with their latest Android app, Dashboard Cast.

Without compromising Chromecast's signature look, Dashboard Cast provides instant access to relevant info on your big screen TV. It does this by pulling from a set of the default Chromecast images, then overlaying them with user-customizable widgets to provide you with beautifully-formatted information right when you need it most.

Install Dashboard Cast

You can grab Dashboard Cast on your Android device for free from the Google Play Store.

Dashboard Cast app interface showing options to uninstall or open, developed by RIr Software.

Add Your Widget

Dashboard Cast widgets can be added by simply tapping the Plus button near the top-right of the app's main screen. From here, just select the type of widget that you'd like to see on your Chromecast.

How to Add Widgets to Your Chromecast's Home Screen
Dashboard widget selection menu on a mobile device.
How to Add Widgets to Your Chromecast's Home Screen
Dashboard widget selection menu on a mobile device.

Configure Your Widget

You'll now be given a chance to customize this widget a bit. Options for Location on the weather widget, Feed URL with the RSS widget, and Stock Name for the Stocks widget are available to tailor the experience to your needs. Just hit the Check icon to save your preferences when you're ready.

How to Add Widgets to Your Chromecast's Home Screen
Weather widget settings menu on a mobile device.
How to Add Widgets to Your Chromecast's Home Screen
Weather widget settings menu on a mobile device.

Add More Widgets

You can add as many widgets as you'd like by tapping the Plus button from the app's main screen again.

How to Add Widgets to Your Chromecast's Home Screen
Widget selection menu with options for clock, weather, RSS, calendar, and book widgets.
How to Add Widgets to Your Chromecast's Home Screen
Widget selection menu with options for clock, weather, RSS, calendar, and book widgets.

Cast Widgets to Your TV

When you're satisfied with your widget setup, simply tap the Cast icon at the top of the screen, then select your Chromecast.

Dashboard interface displaying clock and weather options.
Dashboard interface showing options for clock and weather with a "Connect to device" button.
Dashboard interface displaying clock and weather options.
Dashboard interface showing options for clock and weather with a "Connect to device" button.

Now your TV will give you relevant, at-a-glance info just when you need it. This is especially useful first thing in the morning, at least to me. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments section below.

The next big software update for iPhone is coming sometime in April and will include a Food section in Apple News+, an easy-to-miss new Ambient Music app, Priority Notifications thanks to Apple Intelligence, and updates to apps like Mail, Photos, Podcasts, and Safari. See what else is coming to your iPhone with the iOS 18.4 update.

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