Microsoft’s answer to Google’s Chromecast dongle is the newly launched Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter.
Unveiled on Tuesday, the new $59.95 Miracast-based wireless streaming device includes a USB port for power and an HMDI port to output content to a display. The adapter, which easily connects to an HDTV, monitor or projector, allows users to share audio and visual content and display mirroring from Miracast-enabled devices.
Unlike Chromecast which supports mirroring only from Android devices, the Microsoft adapter allows for mirroring from both Android and Windows devices. While Google’s Chromecast supports Google’s own wireless protocol, the new Microsoft adapter allows display mirroring from any device with support for Miracast screencasting.
The Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter dongle supports Windows 8.1 devices including the Surface Pro line and Surface 2, and Android 4.2.1 or later. As according to Microsoft’s details page, the new adapter is not compatible with Surface RT.
Announcing the new dongle, Beandon LeBlanc, Senior Marketing Communications Manager said that the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter, which connects to an HDTV, monitor, or projector, will let users easily share content from any Miracast-enabled device — including many PCs and Tablets running Windows 8.1.
In order to use the wireless adapter users just need to plug the USB end and HDMI end of the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter into an HDTV, monitor or projector. Then select the right input on their TV, pair it with their laptop, tablet, or smartphone and they will be ready to go, LeBlanc added.
The new Microsoft Wireless Display Adaptor, a little bit more expensive than Google’s Chromecast which retails for $35, is available for pre-order now on Microsoft’s online store and it is scheduled to ship in October 2014.
