Amazon recently announced their updated version of the Fire TV Stick, an HDMI based media device that conveniently plugs into the back of your TV, out of sight and packed with features. A direct competitor to alternatives such as Roku and Android TV boxes, the Fire TV Stick provides a selection of all of your favorite apps at a price that’s hard to beat. That price being only $39.99.
Everything including Amazon Video, Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, HBO Now, Showtime, Disney, sports, Pandora and so much more. Perfect for that not-so-smart TV that you might have lying (or mounted) around.
However there is nothing new there. This isn’t the first generation of the Fire TV Stick, and this has always been part of the package. What comes new with this model is the integration of Alexa to help you find everything you need. Alexa is Amazon’s own personal AI (like Cortana or Siri) that allows you to search for content and ask various questions by voice. With the Fire TV Stick, this is accomplished using it’s wireless remote that has a small microphone at the top of the controls. You can see a demonstration of it in the video below.
Beyond that, you find what you’d expect out of a new generation gadget. New hardware, including a new processor and 802.11ac WiFi support.
I am sure it won’t be long before people start installing Kodi on these like they did the previous model, but then that’s a whole new story and one I guess I’m probably not allowed to talk about or promote.
The new model can be pre-ordered right now on Amazon and shipping will begin on October 20th, 2016. That’s just 15 days from now. Amazon will also be throwing some bonus deals in for those who take advantage of such pre-order opportunities.
