Chromecast as WiFi Extender

Our internet provider brought us a new modem / router today, which ended up with me re-configuring our home network. While doing so, I noticed that our Chromecast was showing up as a wireless network in my phones list of wireless networks. This got me thinking, can the ChromeCast somehow be used as a wireless range extender, does Google have plans to add such useful functionality to the ChromeCast? It appears to already have the wireless hardware.

Chromecast Auto Tune Doesn't Work

I recently picked up a Google Chromecast thinking it made more sense than paying a little less for an HDMI cable long enough to go from our home office to the living room television.

The only problem is that even though our TV has multiple HDMI inputs, our TV doesn't support something called HDMI-CEC, which is required in order for Chromecast to automatically tune the TV to the HDMI port Chromecast is connected to. Meaning we would still have to find the TV remote or walk to the TV to use Chromecast.

Luckily I found a solution, the Kinivo 501BN HDMI Switcher, which does support HDMI-CEC, meaning I'm able to plug the cable box and Chromecast into the switcher, then the switcher into the TV, and Chromecast can tell the switcher to show Chromecast content.

It's kind of funny really, now when someone in the house says "Where's the remote?" I can answer with "Call it" without being a smart ass.