Like with other streaming devices, all you need to do to get started is to plug the Chromecast into your TV’s HDMI port. By default, the YouTube button just goes to YouTube’s website, but if you hold down on it, you can customize it to point to YouTube TV or YouTube Music if you happen to have those apps installed.
The Assistant button has a different color from the rest of the remote, and you activate it with a long press as you give your voice command. The remote has both HDMI-CEC and IR, so you can control your TV’s power, volume as well as input mode in case you need to switch over to a game console or a cable box for example. The volume buttons are on the right side. There’s a circular navigation D-pad on top, followed by six big round buttons (Back, Assistant, Home, Mute, YouTube and Netflix) and two smaller buttons (Power and Input) underneath. It feels super comfortable in the hand, and the controls are pleasant to use. It has a curved and compact design that reminds me a lot of the controller for the Daydream View.
The remote control is easily one of my favorite things about the new Chromecast.
