As I understand it, Chromecast needs either a smartphone or laptop to control it (no external remote).
If I use Chromecast with Xbox, will/can the Xbox controller take the place of the smartphone?
It doesn't seem as though it work, but figured I'd ask instead of assuming.
Most likely wouldn't work. I just ordered my Chromecast today but based on what I understand it isn't an option.
There are applications on your phone such as YouTube that can stream to your Xbox. But there is no way to use an Xbox Controller. For example, if you're on Xbox in the YouTube app you can link your phone with your Xbox YouTube. You open YouTube on Xbox and search using your phone. When connected to both you'll see the icon below that you can click on your phone to stream to Xbox.
With a Chromecast, there is nothing to select on the Chromecast its self. It only plays content you tell it to play from a computer, phone, or tablet and you can play, pause, etc. from the tab you ar casting. There isn't like a list of apps or really any UI to speak of (just pictures of the Bay Area and the word Chromecast when it is on and not streaming). I can use my TV remote for fast forward, pause, etc. because my TV uses SimpLink and so does Chromecast. All that to say, no there is no way to hook up an Xbox controller to the Chromecast.