Microsoft first unveiled its own Chromecast competitor back in September, 2014. Designed to support Android and Windows, the Miracast-powered HDMI dongle is a simple competitor to let you stream anything from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop to a TV screen. Microsoft is updating its Wireless Display Adapter today, shrinking its size and price.
The new version will debut for $49.95 ($10 less than the original) and Microsoft has improved its latency alongside making it a little smaller. If you had any issues plugging this into HDMI ports on certain TVs, then this new version should fit a little better.
Other than the price and size, nothing else has changed. Microsoft is using Miracast, which means that individual apps don't have to be updated to support the protocol. There's also no need for an internet connection, so you can stream local files from your device up to a TV, thanks to the Wi-Fi Direct connection. You can pre-order the new Wireless Display Adapter today in the US and Canada, and it will be available on March 1st.