Google had promised us it was coming, and how its here: Chromecast has been updated with a new Backdrop feature that lets you display your own photos when you're not busy streaming something. You can also display popular photos from elsewhere, and news and weather snippets.
No, to soften water, you need a water softener. The salt used in the brine tank of a water softener does not directly soften the water, but is used to regenerate the resin beads in your water softener. These actually soften the water from your well by removing the hard water ions, calcium, magnesium and iron.
Home water softener systems that were installed in the 1980's are still in operation, and require little maintenance, other than replenishing the salt. Salt is added to the brine tank when a home water softener regenerates. Higher salt settings can result in a greater softening capacity. Typically, water softeners should be checked once a month. The salt level should be kept at least half-full at all times.