On Wednesday Google made a couple product announcements and what we’re doing now, we’re diving right in.

First up is Chromecast, a new way to wirelessly stream content from your personal devices to your big screen TV. The hardware itself resembles a small USB stick, except inside of plugging into a USB port it goes into an HDMI port located on your HDTV. After being plugged in, Chromecast requires two things to function: it needs power (using included cables you can either plug it into a standard wall socket or a USB port on your TV) and WiFi. Land on the correct TV input and blam, you’re connected and ready to go.

Chromecast doesn’t actually boast a user interface. Everything is streamed and controlled by your personal device. For example, if you want to stream an episode of Arrested Development from Netflix, you’d open the Netflix app on your computer, smartphone, or tablet and click the “cast” button to wirelessly stream the video content to your TV. Once the content is projected to the TV, the device you’re streaming it from becomes the remote control allowing you to play, pause, and scrub through whatever you’re watching.

In addition to Netflix, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, Google Play Music, and Chrome are currently compatible with Chromecast. In addition to streaming video and music with those apps, the inclusion of Chrome allows you to stream Tabs so you can browse the Internet on your TV. Google is letting developers get their hands on a Google Cast SDK preview so that more apps can become compatible with Chromecast. In the pipeline already is a new version of Pandora that will work with Chromecast with more promised on the way. And Chromecast works across a variety of devices; in addition to Android phones and tablets it also functions with Apple products like the iPhone and iPad, as well as Macs and PCs.

So why buy Chromecast, especially if you already own an Apple TV or Roku or the like? I can think of two reasons right off the bat: one, it costs $35. Yeah, that’s it. You’ll want to own this thing just because you can. And then there’s ease of portability. Sure, you can unplug your Roku and bring it around the house, TV to TV, whenever you like. But can’t you imagine how simpler it’d be to transport something as small as a USB stick to get the job done? The only issue here, of course, is that Chromecast doesn’t support Hulu and Amazon Instant Video and all the other video streaming services out there. Yet. But once it does, Chromecast has the potential to shake things up in the entertainment space. For now, though, see it as an extremely portable and affordable way to bring Netflix, YouTube, and other Google services with you provided an HDMI slot is available to play.

Chromecast is sold at Google Play, Amazon, and BestBuy.com.

Hop after the break to learn about Google’s other product announcement, if you dare.

Google’s gone ahead and refreshed its Nexus 7 tablet. The company is calling it “the world’s highest-resolution 7-inch tablet” as it sports a 7.02-inch 1920×1200 HD display (323 ppi). It’s also lighter than before weighing 0.64lbs (290g). Also, it measures 114 x 200 x 8.65 mm. A 3950mAh battery promises up to 9 hours of active use and upgraded stereo speakers boast surround sound powered by Fraunhofer. Other notable tech specs include: Snapdragon S4 Pro 1.5GHz processor, Adreno 320 400MHz GPU, 2GB of RAM, 16GB or 32GB internal storage options, dual-band WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC (via Android Beam), optional 4G LTE, 5MP rear facing, auto focus shooter, and a 1.2MP front facing, fixed focus camera. It runs a new version of Android Jelly Bean marked 4.3 which introduces restricted profiles (lets you limit access to apps and content) and Bluetooth Smart technology (allows mobile apps to connect to new devices like fitness sensors).

Nexus 7 with WiFi is up for preorder today and becomes available for purchase on July 30. It’s $229 for 16GB and $269 for 32GB. LTE models compatible with Verizon and T-Mobile plans are “coming soon,” says Google. Check out the latest Nexus device in all its glory in the gallery below.

Videos promoting Chromecast and Nexus 7 hang down there, too.

[Via Google]