Microsoft's Chromecast copycat is more expensive and less functional

Microsoft today unveiled a new device that will “cast” your smartphone or tablet’s screen to your television, much like Google’s Chromecast — another way the company is hoping to bait people into using connected gadgets that run Windows.

Microsoft isn’t the only company trying to compete with Chromecast, either. Earlier this year Roku started selling its Roku Stick; Sony launched its Bravia media-sharing stick; and even Mozilla is planning a Firefox OS-powered stick of its own. And then there was the failed attempt by Tivo’s founders to launch a Chromecast competitor.

Above: The dimensions of the new Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter, the company’s Chromecast rival.

So what makes Microsoft’s version different? Well, how about it being pretty lackluster. The device itself, boringly called the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter, is an HDMI stick is about the size of a USB jump drive and powered via the USB port on your television. The Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter retails for $60, which is more expensive than Google’s $35 stick.

Price is one of the biggest selling points for the Chromecast, because it’s far less expensive than most set-top boxes but allows you to enjoy most of the same perks. The only big reason to go with Microsoft’s device might be because of integration with Windows Phone.

Microsoft’s device also uses Miracast, so you’re actually just mirroring your phone/tablet’s screen on your television. Chromecast, by comparison, streams most of its media directly from the cloud, which means you can still use your other devices while casting media to a TV set.

The device seems like it’s targeted more at the enterprise-level customers rather than regular consumers. I can see someone buying one of these for conference rooms or other business-related facilities with an available TV screen. Outside of that, I don’t know that it’ll be a big seller.

Check out the demo video below for a closer look at Microsoft’s Chromecast competitor, and let us know your thoughts in the comment section.