Google this week updated the software for its Chromecast devices to support a new Ambient Mode that displays when no content is being cast.

“Make your TV a reflection of you and your interests,” a Google support document explains. “Ambient Mode allows you to personalize what’s displayed on your Chromecast home screen even when not casting. All images and content will be specifically curated for the home.”

Those familiar with Chromecast will note that Ambient Mode replaces a previous feature called Backdrop. But it improves on Backdrop in a number of important ways. And you can now choose between Photo frame (a photo slideshow from your favorite Google Photos albums), Art gallery, and an Experimental option that lets you access content from Facebook and Flickr, and enable a new low-bandwidth mode. You can also optionally show the weather and the time while in Ambient mode.

As before, these changes are made via the Google Home app.

Tagged with Chromecast, Google Home