How to set up Chromecast’s new Backdrop feature

Chromecast users will be happy to hear Google has enabled the Backdrop feature we first heard about in June at Google I/O.

For those unfamiliar, Backdrop uses a dormant Chromecast to display popular photos, or photos from your own Google+ albums, along with current news headlines and weather stats.

The update is slowly rolling out to Android users through typical Google fashion, while iOS users can grab the latest version of the Chromecast app in the App Store right now.

Upon updating the app, the first time you launch it, you’ll be asked if you want to use Backdrop. Select Get Started, then, if prompted, select the Chromecast device(s) you’d like to enable the new feature on.

Once enabled, you can edit the content displayed on your TV by tapping on the gear icon in the top-right corner. To access the Backdrop menu after initial setup, slide out the menu drawer and select Backdrop from the list of options.

In Backdrop settings is the option to pull your Google+ photos, or a specific Google+ album. You can also opt to have current news and weather displayed, as well as limit where displayed photos are curated from (e.g., satellite images, featured photos, art photos).

The new feature is a welcome addition to the Chromecast’s capabilities. While it’s not earth-shattering, it is nice to be able to make use of the device when you’re not streaming a movie.