Remote Control
Isn't there now the ability to use your own remote control besides your phone?
No, the phone is still the remote, but this does not consume battery. Your phone just gives the chomecast a command through your wifi, and the chromecast executes the command on its own. Google also updated the chromecast app and made finding shows much easier by placing all services you have within its own app. So now you only have to go to one place, the chromecast app to find what you want to watch.