Google provided an in-box wall plug for this, but I tested as well with a USB hub and with a portable battery pack. You must supply that power through a micro-USB port, the standard these days for many devices especially in Europe. The cord provides an easier access point, especially when reaching around the back of large television sets. Use this if you need to keep plugging and unplugging your dongle on a regular basis, so you can travel with it. Google provides a small HDMI extension cord - and I mean small, perhaps 3' long - in the box. First, I plugged the dongle into a HDMI port. Getting the $35 unit working involved several quick and easy steps. While not quite Apple-level of packaging (and despite a rather odd smell that pervades the box), the packaging was clean and professional. An internal flap offered getting started directions, while a firm plastic insert held the dongle itself. The Chromecast ships in a rather nice box, with the cast unit on top and the power cord and 'bits' underneath. I felt, that for the sake of celebrating our native blog culture, I had to give it a proper unboxing. We apologize for the delay in this write-up, but we simply didn't have a unit to test with. The backordered TUAW Chromecast finally arrived yesterday evening from Google.
