Latest from Android Central in Amazon-fire-tv

I picked out 12 of the BEST Amazon Fire TV deals that you should grab before Prime Day ends tonight — my recs start at $69.99!

patrick.farmer@futurenet.com (Patrick Farmer) — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 15:21:36 +0000

Amazon's biggest sale of the year ends at midnight tonight, which means you only have a few hours to take advantage of the best Fire TV deals this side of Black Friday. Amazon's Fire-powered smart TVs range from no-frills 32-inchers to premium 75-inch Ember models, and Prime Day is dropping nearly all of the best models to record low prices.

For starters, our top pick for the best overall Amazon Fire TV is the 4-Series Ember model, and I was happy to see that that particular set is chilling with a 39% discount during Amazon's sale. Of course, that's far from the only discounted TV available today, so keep reading for all of my favorite picks. Most of my recs are from Amazon's own line of smart TVs, but I'll also include some Fire-based streaming devices and a few models from other companies that utilize the Fire platform.

Don't forget that the vast majority of deals listed below are exclusive to Prime members. Haven't signed up yet? Amazon is offering a 30-day free trial so you don't have to add yet another subscription to your list of monthly bills. Simply sign up today, do some Prime Day shopping, and cancel your account before the month is up with zero penalty.

Prime Day ends TONIGHT: see the full list of last-minute deals

Amazon

Ember 55" 4-Series Fire TV

INSIGNIA

32" Class F20 Series LED HD Fire TV

Amazon

Ember 40" 2-Series Fire TV

Amazon

Ember Artline 55" Fire TV

Amazon

Ember 50" QLED Series Fire TV

Amazon

55" Omni QLED Series 4K Fire TV

Amazon

Ember 40" 2-Series Fire TV w/ Soundbar

TCL

Amazon Exclusive 65" Class QM64I Series Fire TV

Hisense

65" E7 Cinema Series Hi-QLED Fire TV

TOSHIBA

50" Class M450 Series QLED Fire TV

Amazon

Fire TV Stick 4K Plus

Amazon

Fire TV Cube

What time does Prime Day end?

Amazon Prime Day is set to end at 11:59pm PT tonight, June 26th. Did you miss all of the festivities? Fear not! Best Buy and Walmart are running rival sale events that will last through Sunday night, and unlike Amazon's sale, they don't require a membership.

Amazon Prime Day 2026 - quick links

Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon Fire tablets from $50
Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo
Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99

Lawsuit hits Amazon, claims Fire TV Sticks intentionally give out when support runs dry

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:47:00 +0000

What you need to know

A lawsuit was filed recently, alleging Amazon has engaged in "software tethering," which causes a device's core functions to diminish if support runs out.
The plaintiff behind this lawsuit says they were forced to purchase an entirely new Fire TV Stick in 2024 after their first in 2018, stating Amazon can "shorten" a device's lifespan at will.
Further comments about this lawsuit have yet to be made.

Amazon is reportedly on the receiving end of a class action lawsuit in April regarding its older Fire TV Sticks and their performance.

Highlighted by Top Class Action, the lawsuit alleges Amazon has engaged in "software tethering," meaning when software support is cut, so too will the Fire TV Stick first and second-gen products (via CNET). Adding to this, the lawsuit says that Amazon has it within its control to "limit or discontinue" features after purchase. It argues that this can diminish the Fire TV Stick's overall functionality.

The driving force behind this lawsuit is plaintiff Bill Merewhuader. The plaintiff argues that not only did Amazon "limit" its product's performance, but it failed to mention that its product's functionality could "be eliminated" before the end of its "useful life." As a result, Merewhuader states their device slowed dramatically and ultimately became "inoperable." After purchasing a Fire TV Stick 2nd-Gen in 2018, Merewhuader says they were forced to purchase another iteration in 2024 after the previous "became unusable."

Android Central's Take

I am curious to see where this goes. There's a joke that family members have said, which is that when a device starts acting up, one that you've had for a long time, it's because the company that made it wants you to upgrade. There's a lot of moving parts in something like this. There are allegations, and then there's what's truly happened. If Amazon is found guilty of this, does that make us look at every device differently?

At this time, the lawsuit reportedly seeks to force Amazon to submit compensation to all consumers affected by the sudden downgrade in Fire TV Stick first and second-gen models. As CNET mentions, older (such as first-gen models) degrade/age over time, causing them to slow down or have lackluster functionality. It's unclear how this lawsuit will shake out between the plaintiff and Amazon right now.

Android Central has reached out to Amazon about this lawsuit and will update this article if we hear back.

Where to go from here?

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

It is interesting to see where this goes, as the plaintiff suggests that the devices themselves didn't fall apart, but rather something under the hood caused them to falter far sooner than one would expect.

While we wait to see what happens with this lawsuit, earlier this year, Amazon laid off 16,000 employees in another grueling wave. This came only a few months after the company let go of 14,000 people in October 2025. Shortly after, it was said by Amazon's Beth Galetti that these layoffs would "not become a regular occurrence." Despite Galetti's words, Amazon has a history of large layoffs, such as the wave of 10,000 jobs lost in 2022 around the holidays and 18,000 roles cut back in 2018.

Also, late last year, Amazon started cracking down on piracy apps in Fire TV, even the ones users sideloaded. It said that it intends to "protect both media creators and users from malware and fraudulent apps." Such restrictions had already started rolling out in France and Germany; however, it has since expanded globally.

Amazon's Big Spring Sale launches 49% OFF this Insignia Fire TV — ends tonight!

Zachary David — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 10:15:00 +0000

Spring is a great time to find deals on smart TVs, especially if you wait for the Amazon sales to start hitting. For instance, this Insignia Smart TV is now 49% off for the Amazon Big Spring Sale, while you can also save on other sets ranging from 43 to 70 inches in size.

The Insignia Class F50 Series is powered by the easy-to-use Amazon Fire TV platform and comes with an Alexa Voice remote and instant access to all of your favorite streaming services right out of the box.

See the full list of deals during Amazon's Big Spring Sale

Insignia 55-inch F50 Smart TV: ~~$349.99~~ $179.98 for Amazon's Big Spring Sale

The Amazon Big Spring Sale has cut the price of these Insignia Fire TVs down quite a bit, and for the 55-inch model, the retailer is offering a whopping 49% off. The Class F50 Series features 4K resolution, upscaling, the user-friendly Fire TV platform, and several other benefits for those in the market for a new TV under $200.View Deal

✅Recommended if: you're in the market for a Fire TV between 43 and 70 inches, and you want something with seamless integration with your Alexa smart home; you want modern features such as 4K upscaling, high dynamic range, and improved motion rates for fast-paced gaming and movies; you need a TV with parental control options built into the platform.

❌Skip this deal if: you'd prefer to go with a TV that doesn't come with Fire TV built in; you need a TV with more than three HDMI inputs, a USB input, or an otherwise different connectivity setup; you'd prefer to upgrade to an OLED TV or one of the best Android TVs on the market.

Insignia's Class F50 Series TVs feature 4K resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate with motion enhancement tech, and the popular Fire TV platform. This particular model also includes three HDMI inputs, AV inputs, a digital optical output, a USB port, headphone jack, coaxial jack, and an ethernet port, offering more than enough connectivity options for the average user.

The TV also includes parental controls, audio features such as HDMI eARCH and DTS Virtual X-Sound, and immediate access to channels like Prime Video, Disney Plus, HBO Max, alongside free channels including Tubi and Pluto TV.

Amazon's Big Spring Sale has dropped this 65-inch Toshiba TV to only $299 — but the deals end tomorrow!

Zachary David — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 14:48:29 +0000

Today, cheap TVs are more common than ever, especially if you wait for some of the year's many big sales. As one example, the Amazon Big Spring Sale is currently offering 44% off the price of this 65-inch Toshiba Smart TV. The retailer is offering discounts on other sizes too, though the savings aren't quite as massive on some of those models.

The Fire TV platform has become well-liked for its ease-of-use and straightforward access to all of your favorite streaming services. In addition to three HDMI inputs, the C350 Series supports Bluetooth and casting technology, and it features many of the 4K picture quality enhancement features that users should hope to find in a modern TV.

See the full list of deals during Amazon's Big Spring Sale (ends March 31)

Toshiba 65-inch C350 Smart TV: ~~$529.99~~ $299.00 for Amazon's Big Spring Sale

Amazon has included the Toshiba C350 Smart TV lineup in its Big Spring Sale, offering 44% off on the 65-inch model. While it's currently offering discounts on C350 sizes across the board, this size is up for the biggest price drop, marking $230 off the normal sticker price.View Deal

✅Recommended if: you're looking for a massive discount on a large 4K Smart TV that operates on the Fire platform; you want something with a voice remote and easy access to Alexa voice assisting; you'd prefer something with a high motion enhancement refresh rate, especially for gaming.

❌Skip this deal if: you'd rather go with a different size than these Toshiba models have to offer, and you don't mind sacrificing some of your savings; you can afford the upgrade to OLED; you'd prefer to go with a product that doesn't have Fire TV, Alexa, or other Amazon features as standard.

The 55-inch Toshiba Class C350 Series features vibrant picture quality with 4K resolutions, upscaling, high dynamic range, and a bright, LED display. While it technically only has a 60Hz refresh rate, motion enhancement software offers up to 120Hz, making it a suitable pick for fast-paced gaming and more.

As for connectivity, this Toshiba TV comes with three HDMI inputs, two USB ports, an ethernet port, and one audio output. Like many of the best Android TVs, it's a great pick for those who want a seamless setup and stream experience, as backed by the Fire TV platform. At just $300 for the 65-inch version, it's a worthy contender for those in the market for something large and affordable.

Amazon just gave the Fire TV app on Android a full makeover

sanujb6@gmail.com (Sanuj Bhatia) — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 19:18:07 +0000

What you need to know

Amazon has launched a redesigned Fire TV mobile app that now mirrors the updated Fire TV interface on televisions with five tabs.
The new Fire TV app now lets users browse content, manage watchlists, and start playback directly from their phones.
The updated Fire TV mobile app is rolling out across multiple regions including the US, India, UK, Canada, and more.

It's been only a few weeks since Amazon started rolling out a redesigned UI for Fire TV devices in the U.S., and now the company is complementing that with a redesigned Fire TV app for Android and iOS as well.

Amazon told Android Central today that the company is rolling out a new Fire TV mobile app that will "transform how [users] interact with the Fire TV experience."

Until now, the Fire TV app on Android mostly worked as a remote control. However, with the new update, Amazon is introducing features that will make the experience closer to that of the Google TV app.

Now, besides using the app as a remote, you can browse content, manage your watchlist, and start playing titles on your TV directly from your phone. Along with these features, the app has also received a visual refresh that matches the new Fire TV interface on the big screen.

(Image credit: Amazon)

The updated Fire TV app now features five tabs at the bottom. The first is the Remote tab, followed by tabs for Home, Search, Watchlist, and Account. The Search tab lets you search for new content, while the Home tab mirrors the interface you see on the Fire TV device connected to your TV.

Amazon says the goal of the new Fire TV app is to make it a second screen for discovering content. You will be able to add titles to your watchlist directly from the phone app and then access them later on the big screen. Although it's worth noting that this is something the Google TV app has supported for quite some time.

While the redesigned Fire TV interface on TVs is currently limited to the U.S. and only available on select devices, the new mobile app update is rolling out more widely.

The updated Fire TV app is now available in the U.S., Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, and the U.K. You'll need the latest version of the Fire TV app from the Google Play Store to see the changes on your phone.

Android Central's Take

Honestly, this update feels long overdue. The Fire TV app has been stuck as a basic remote for years, while the Google TV app has offered a much better overall experience. That said, it's good to finally see Amazon catching up.

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is a whopping 40% off right now

Zachary David — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 20:38:55 +0000

Cheap TV and streaming deals are more common than ever, making it super easy to go 4K without a hassle. Right now, Amazon is cutting 40% off the price of the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus, bringing the premium streaming device down to just $30.

The Fire TV Stick lineup has become incredibly well-liked over the past several years, primarily for its ease-of-use. All buyers need to do is simply plug the Fire Stick into their TV's HDMI port, and then they'll be able to use the voice remote to access a number of popular streaming services such as Netflix, Prime Video, HBO Max, and more, as well as over 1.8 million TV shows and movies included with the device.

It also features easy access to Alexa Plus, smart home controls, live TV channels, and useful video features such as HDR, Dolby Vision and 4K Ultra HD resolutions.

Out of the larger Fire Stick lineup, this is the second-best just below the 4K Max, which normally retails at $60 and includes a few upgrade features. The TV Stick 4K Plus normally sells at a sticker price of $50, so this deal marks a solid $20 off the normal price.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus: ~~$49.99~~ $29.99 at Amazon

Amazon's streaming devices have become synonymous with easy, plug-and-play video streaming, and the 4K Plus offers high-res visuals for compatible hardware without extra difficulties in sourcing hardware. At 40% off the normal price, the Fire TV Stick is currently selling for just $30, representing a seamless, affordable way to get into 4K-level streaming.View Deal

✅Recommended if: you're looking for a simple way to watch 4K-quality video and you have an HDMI port to spare on your TV; you want something with easy-to-use voice commands for Alexa as well as the ability to control other smart home devices; you're looking for a streaming solution that will let you access all your favorite streaming services in one place.

❌Skip this deal if: you're looking for the best Fire Stick on the market and you wouldn't mind spending an extra $10 to upgrade to the Fire TV Stick 4K Max; you don't have 4K-compatible hardware and you wouldn't mind saving a little more money by going with the HD model instead; you'd prefer to go with another brand like Roku rather than going with a Amazon's Fire Stick brand.

The Amazon Fire TV Stick series is one of the most straightforward plug-and-play streaming solutions on the market today, and it frequently gets discounts like this one.

The 4K Plus boasts extra features not included on the HD or 4K Select devices, including live view picture-in-picture modes, Dolby Atmos audio, upgraded Wi-Fi 6, and Alexa Plus access. It also comes with 8GB of storage, access to cloud gaming via Amazon Luna and Xbox Game Pass.

Amazon's big Fire TV redesign is rolling out, and the new interface looks great

sanujb6@gmail.com (Sanuj Bhatia) — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:38:12 +0000

What you need to know

Amazon has started rolling out its redesigned Fire TV interface to select devices in the U.S. after debuting it at CES 2026.
The new UI moves navigation to the top and surfaces content from all streaming apps, not just Prime Video.
Users can now pin up to 20 apps and may see up to 20–30% faster performance with the updated Fire TV OS.
The update also adds smarter Alexa+ features and improved smart home controls via the remote.

Amazon showcased its biggest redesigned Fire TV interface at CES 2026, and it is now starting to roll out to select Fire TV devices in the U.S.

Fire TV has kept a similar look for years, but Amazon is finally refreshing it with a new UI that looks better, performs faster, and is easier to use. Amazon says the redesigned Fire TV update is rolling out now to the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus, Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen), and Fire TV Omni Mini-LED Series for users in the U.S.

Like Google TV, Fire TV now shifts navigation elements to the top of the screen instead of the middle. The new top navigation bar includes Menu, Search, and Home buttons, along with tabs for Movies, TV Shows, Sports, News, and Live TV.

These tabs surface content from across your subscriptions, not just Prime Video, meaning titles from Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Peacock, and more appear here.

Previously, Fire TV allowed you to pin only six apps on the home screen, but now you can pin up to 20 for faster access. The UI feels closer to Google TV in layout, but overall, it looks cleaner and easier to navigate compared to earlier Fire TV versions.

Amazon

Alongside the redesign, Amazon is also promising better performance. The company claims the new Fire TV OS can deliver up to 20 to 30% speed improvements in certain scenarios.

The update also makes it easier to access smart home controls and frequently used settings. After updating, holding the Home button on the Fire TV remote opens quick controls, including audio and display settings, as well as connected devices like Ring cameras.

Of course, Alexa+ also plays a big role in the new experience. You can ask natural-language questions beyond just movies and TV shows and even follow up with conversational prompts. It also supports on-screen context, so you can highlight a title and ask for plot details or recaps of earlier seasons.

If you have a supported Fire TV device, you can check for the update by heading to Settings > My Fire TV > About and selecting Check for Updates. Once installed, you should see the redesigned interface.

Android Central's Take

I'm honestly a bit jealous since the rollout is limited to the U.S. for now. Users in other regions, including me, will likely have to wait until Spring 2026. The new interface looks genuinely good, and I want it on my Fire TV as soon as possible.

Amazon teams up with Meta: introduces 'Instagram for TV' this holiday season

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 18:22:19 +0000

What you need to know

Amazon announced that it has worked together with Meta to bring the "Instagram for TV" app to Fire TV devices.
Users can sign into their Instagram accounts (up to five) and begin scrolling through an app experience that focuses on Reels.
Instagram recently rolled out "Your Algorithm," which gives users the keys to control what content they want and don't want to see.

A holiday surprise you didn't expect: Meta and Amazon Fire TV have joined forces to craft an Instagram experience for the living room.

This morning (Dec 16), Amazon announced that it's rolling out an "Instagram for TV" app for its Fire TV devices. Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, highlighted the app today in the Meta Instagram channel, stating that the company is "testing Instagram for TV — a new way to watch Reels on your TV." As you'd expect from this message, the app's TV presence focuses strongly on the platform's short-form content: Reels.

Amazon says the app is "organized into channels tuned to your interests." A few channels include sports, music videos, and trending topics. The app's main view showcases these Reels horizontally, including "For You" and "Popular with friends."

As it rolls out today, users will need to sign into their Instagram accounts on their Fire TVs. The press release states the app on Fire TV supports five accounts at a time, giving users the ability to switch between them. Instagram for TV features interactions similar to what you'd get on your phone. Amazon says users can quickly heart (like), drop reactions, and dive into the comments.

Consumers with a Fire TV Stick HD, Fire TV Stick 4K Plus, Fire TV Stick 4K Max (1st and 2nd Gen), Fire TV 2-Series, Fire TV 4-Series, or Fire TV Omni QLED Series can find the Instagram for TV app today (Dec 16).

So, you like Reels?

(Image credit: Amazon)

There's no doubt that Reels on Instagram are always where the hype is at, and Meta knows this, which is why it continuously tests new features for them. Earlier this year, Meta tested password-locked Reels for users. The first ones to take it for a test drive were The Weeknd, who showcased secret codes and hints for the locked Reels. It was marketed as a feature for creators to drive more engagement with the mystery of what's behind the lock.

Additionally, dropping exclusive content never became more, well, exclusive.

Most recently, Instagram announced a feature called "Your Algorithm." In short, the platform gave users in the U.S. the keys to control their Reels feed by telling the AI what they want to see and what they don't. Head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, said that he envisioned a world where there was "transparency and control" with what users see on Instagram, and tuning the algorithm is a part of that.

Through this, users will see what the AI thinks they enjoy, with options to delete some supposed interests and add better ones.

Alexa Plus lets you 'jump to the scene' in any movie you describe on Fire TV

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 19:56:00 +0000

What you need to know

Amazon announced a new Alexa Plus feature for its Fire TVs, known as "jump to scene."
This feature lets users explain a movie scene that they'd like the AI to produce by using natural speech and as many descriptors as possible, like people involved, movie title, quotes, and more.
Amazon launched a wide array of new Fire TV series products in September, as well as bringing Alexa Plus to Canadian users.

With the holidays rolling around, there's always that influx of movie watching, which is probably why Amazon's AI, Alexa Plus, is being updated with a feature that might help.

This morning (Dec 3), Amazon announced that a new Alexa Plus feature is rolling out onto its Fire TVs, known as "jump to scene." The company states this feature is designed to help viewers do one thing: "getting you to what you want to watch—fast." After activating Alexa Plus on your Fire TV, Amazon states users can describe a movie scene, naturally, as if in a conversation, to the AI.

The post states that this new "jump to scene" feature lets users be as descriptive as possible. If you're aware of the actors or actresses involved, share that with the AI; even things like a character's name, a quote, and more are useful.

As one might expect, this feature only works between Alexa Plus and your Amazon Prime Video subscription. The AI will take your "jump to the..." scene description and run it through Prime Video to find the appropriate match. However, as this rolls out today (Dec 3), it seems that not everything is there for the AI to reach back into. Amazon states Alexa Plus can leverage "thousands" of available movie titles, as well as "tens of thousands of indexed scenes," but there's room to grow.

Amazon plans to continue to build upon Alexa Plus' knowledge base of movies, so users can—potentially—find a match to any scene they're looking up. There are a few examples of how the "jump to scene" feature can work for viewers to peruse. In addition to your Prime Video subscription, this feature works with rented and purchased movies on the service.

Do you remember that one scene...?

(Image credit: Amazon)

Amazon's really been going all-in with its newest Alexa model, Alexa Plus, even bringing it to more users in Canada late in November. As the AI positions itself as a more personalized entertainment AI, especially when on Fire TV, its Canadian debut came with "culturally tailored features" for those consumers. Alexa Plus in Amazon's collection of smart home devices offers ambient AI capabilities that enable it to respond to daily routines and more.

Those in Canada must pay $27.99 per month for Alexa Plus; however, the AI is free if you have Prime.

Elsewhere, Amazon launched a new Fire TV series at the end of September, which this Alexa Plus movie feature builds upon. The company revealed the new Fire TV Stick 4K Select, as well as two new Omni QLED TVs, a new 2-Series model, and a new 4-Series model. Alexa Plus was involved in this announcement, as Amazon said the AI could deliver information about the content you're watching.

Alexa Plus can inform you about the actors in a movie or show, and even gain tidbits about where that content was filmed.

Amazon says it's not abandoning its Android-based Fire TV OS just yet

sanujb6@gmail.com (Sanuj Bhatia) — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 15:03:00 +0000

What you need to know

Amazon says VegaOS will not replace Fire OS and confirms its Android-based system is staying for now.
Sideloading on Fire TV has fueled piracy concerns, prompting tighter controls on newer devices.
VegaOS is designed for lower-end hardware, while Fire OS continues powering mainstream Fire TV models.

Despite rumors and Amazon debuting a new non-Android-based VegaOS on the Fire TV Stick 4K Select, the company has confirmed that it is not giving up on its Android-based Fire OS for streaming devices just yet.

Amazon Fire TVs have been under scrutiny recently after the company began cracking down on piracy apps on Fire TV devices. Earlier this week, Amazon confirmed it would start restricting all piracy-related apps, including those installed from outside the Appstore, after a report from The Athletic showed that Fire TV devices were the second most common source of illegal sports streams in the UK.

Amazon says the crackdown has already begun in Germany and France and will expand to more regions soon.

This surge in piracy has been possible on Fire TV devices due to how easy it is to install third-party apps. Amazon has made sideloading simple on its Android-based Fire TV devices, and as a result, the number of piracy apps on Fire TV has grown.

With Amazon now cracking down on third-party apps and launching the new Fire TV Stick 4K Select, which supports installing apps only from the official Appstore, rumors suggested Amazon might abandon its Android-based OS entirely. However, that does not appear to be the case.

(Image credit: Amazon)

Amazon confirmed to Android Authority that VegaOS will not replace the Android based Fire TV OS. Instead, the new OS is meant not to replace but to "extend" it.

Amazon says it is a "multi-OS company" and Fire OS is not going anywhere. The company explains that VegaOS is designed for devices with lower end hardware to ensure apps and the overall experience run smoothly.

The company has not confirmed whether it plans to bring VegaOS to more Fire TV models or higher end hardware, which could indicate the end of sideloading on future devices. For now, though, Android based Fire OS remains in place, even if that could change in the coming months.

Fire TV is cracking down on piracy apps, including the ones you sideloaded

sanujb6@gmail.com (Sanuj Bhatia) — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 14:02:00 +0000

What you need to know

Amazon will start blocking piracy-related apps on all Fire TV devices, including sideloaded ones.
The company says the move protects both media creators and users from malware and fraudulent apps.
The restriction has already begun in France and Germany and will expand globally in the coming weeks.

Piracy has become a major issue for streaming platforms, and Amazon will now begin blocking all piracy-related apps on its Fire TV devices.

In a statement to The Athletic, Amazon said it is "actively working" on blocking access to apps known for allowing users to stream pirated content on the platform (via 9to5Google). This restriction will apply not only to apps that have made their way into the Fire TV Appstore but also to those sideloaded onto Fire TV devices.

Amazon stated it will "block apps identified as providing access to pirated content, including those downloaded from outside our app store." The company added that this move will protect both media creators and customers, as pirated apps can often "expose users to malware, viruses, and fraud."

No more sideloaded piracy apps on Fire TV

(Image credit: Keegan Prosser / Android Central)

The restriction applies to both new and old Fire TV devices and has already begun in France and Germany. Amazon says it plans to expand the rollout globally in the coming weeks and months.

This follows The Athletic's report that in the UK, over 30% of illegal sports streaming came from Fire TV and other IPTV devices. Fire TV devices have long been linked to illegal sports streaming since third-party apps can be easily sideloaded onto these sticks, giving users access to pirated sports content at a fraction of the legal cost.

It seems Amazon is now putting an end to this. In addition to blocking access to pirated apps on older devices, the company has also begun restricting sideloading entirely with the new Fire TV Stick Select, launched earlier this year.

The new streaming device runs on a new non-Android operating system called VegaOS, which, according to Amazon, includes enhanced security measures and allows app downloads only from the official Appstore, effectively ending access to pirated streaming apps.

Amazon's new Fire TV series is here, waving goodbye to Android with VegaOS

nickodiaz@sbcglobal.net (Nickolas Diaz) — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 19:48:48 +0000

What you need to know

Amazon announced its new Fire TV Stick 4K Select, a streaming dongle that sports its new in-house VegaOS, which replaces Android.
The 4K Select stick focuses on 4K TVs with "vibrant quality," as well as a faster, lighter weight software for opening apps and streaming content.
Amazon also announced two new Omni QLED TVs, a new 2-Series model, and a new 4-Series model, all of which can be pre-ordered today (Sep 30), including the 4K Select.

Amazon's major announcement today (Sep 30) is all about moving its Fire TV product series into the next new thing, and that "new thing" is VegaOS.

Earlier this morning, Amazon announced via a press release that it's launching a new Fire TV lineup—new Stick and TVs—as well as some upgraded Alexa Plus capabilities. Getting you started in all of this is Amazon's new Fire TV Stick 4K Select. Its specifications state the new stick is focusing on 4K televisions with "vibrant quality" and HDR10 Plus support. Amazon states apps on the stick launch fast, but that performance boost reportedly comes from its new custom software, VegaOS.

VegaOS enters the Fire TV Stick 4K Select as the substitute for Android, as Amazon shifts away from it. This new OS is reportedly "responsive and highly efficient," capable of streaming everything you'd want and supporting Xbox Gaming, Luna, and Alex Plus.

(Image credit: Amazon)

A post by AFTVNews went into a little more detail about the newest stick, stating that VegaOS makes the 4K Select much more lightweight (via 9to5Google). The 4K Select only has 1GB of RAM and reportedly "doesn't have as much memory overhead" like the old Android-based stick.

The new Fire TV Stick 4K Select is now available for pre-order on Amazon, starting at $39.99.

Your new favorite spot in the house

(Image credit: Amazon)

Joining the 4K Select stick are two new Fire TV launches from Amazon: the Omni QLED Series and the 2-Series & 4-Series.

Starting with the former, the Omni QLED series is available in 50" and 75" options and are reportedly 60% brighter than the brand's previous products. Lighter and darker tones should appear more vibrant and bold when watching your favorite shows and movies. Dolby Vision and HDR10 Plus Adaptive Technology are included in these two QLED series TV sizes, alongside a processor that's 40% faster.

There are some smarts with this Omni QLED series, as Amazon states the TV can "adjust its colors" based on your lighting situation. Additionally, it can turn on when you enter the room (Omnisense Tech), and Alexa Plus is right there in the TV, ready for you to speak.

The Omni QLED series starts at $479.99.

For the 2-Series and 4-Series (32" and 55"), Amazon says the former rocks HD quality, leaving 4K to the latter. Both models are a little faster than before, with the same Omnisense that you'd find on the Omni QLED series. These TVs begin at $159.99 for the 2-series, while the 4-series starts at $329.99.

Alexa Plus is here to stay

(Image credit: Amazon)

We first heard about Alexa Plus earlier this year, as Amazon was finally taking its AI a little more seriously, bringing about some necessary updates. Alexa Plus is featured across every new TV and the 4K Select stick announced by Amazon today. It states users can converse with the AI to get you into your content on Prime Video, Netflix, HBO Max, and more services.

However, Alexa Plus can do a little more, as users can ask the AI about specific actors seen in their show or movie, or learn about where the content was filmed. When it comes to gameday, Alexa Plus can give you score updates, player stats, and more across platforms that typically stream sports games. Amazon stresses the "natural" part of Alexa Plus, stating users can speak normally to the AI and find their personalized results rather quickly.

Other features on its newest TVs include a "pick up where you left off" row for content, more awareness about live sports/TV, a channel guide, and a wishlist for entertainment.

This early Prime Day deal has knocked 40% OFF my favorite smart TV replacement

zacharydvisconti@gmail.com (Zachary David) — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 20:00:24 +0000

It's easier than ever to get a deal on streaming devices in this day and age, even from some of the industry's biggest players. At this time, Amazon has chopped 40% off the price of the Fire TV Stick 4K, bringing it down to just under $30.

The appeal of a Fire Stick isn't hard to see for most: it simply requires the user to plug the transmitter into their HDMI port, log into their Wi-Fi, and boom, they can start streaming from their favorite services.

This plug-and-play model can also access high-resolution streaming with the 4K, 4K Max Fire TV Stick, and Fire TV Cube models. On the other hand, users who don't need 4K can actually save a few extra bucks on the HD model, which still supports 1080p streaming.

Prime Day returns October 7th - see FAQ and deal predictions

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K: ~~$49.99~~ $29.99 at Amazon

Amazon is currently selling its 4K Fire TV Stick for $20 off the normal sticker price, representing a 40% discount. For those in the market for a quick, easy streaming solution on a 4K TV, $30 isn't a bad price, and it's hard to argue with the convenience of Amazon's Fire TV Sticks.View Deal

✅Recommended if: you're looking for a simple plug-and-play streaming solution for your 4K TV; you want a TV system with easy access to Alexa voice commands, Xbox gaming, and other modern features; you have credentials for streaming services such as Netflix, HBO Max, Disney Plus, or others, and you want to simply log into these apps and start watching.

❌Skip this deal if: you'd rather upgrade to the Fire TV Stick 4K Max or Fire TV Cube, or you don't want 4K picture quality; your TV doesn't support 4K resolution, and you'd rather save a few extra dollars by going with the Fire TV Stick HD; you need a device that can play DVDs or other physical media.

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K offers basic 4K streaming on compatible TVs, and it holds up as the best Fire TV Stick out there for its appeal to most mid-level buyers. Just like most of Amazon's other devices in the lineup, you can just plug it straight into your TV and start watching through your favorite streaming services. The remote offers hands-free voice commands with Alexa, making it easy to control playback, volume, and even smart home devices through the unit.

The Fire TV Stick 4K comes with 8GB of onboard storage for apps and 2GB of RAM, which is just as much as the other premium options, but more than Amazon's HD model.

It utilizes Wi-Fi 6, and it offers cloud gaming via Amazon Luna and Xbox Game Pass. It's also compatible with Dolby Atmos audio, and includes video features such as Dolby Vision and the latest versions of HDR.

Overall, it's definitely best saved for those who actually have a 4K TV, but if you do fall into that category, $30 should come as a tempting offer at which to access that level of high-res streaming.

Early Prime Day deal carves 50% OFF the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, no membership required!

zacharydvisconti@gmail.com (Zachary David) — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 16:35:06 +0000

Today's market offers a wide variety of cheap TV streaming devices, letting users watch their favorite streaming services. Right now, one of our favorite plug-and-play TV solutions has gotten a huge discount, as Amazon has cut the price of the Fire TV Stick 4K in half. This brings our top Fire TV Stick pick overall down to just $25, while still getting you access to 4K streaming.

Buyers especially love the Fire TV Stick for its ease of use, as it comes with a simple HDMI plug that will turn any TV into a streaming device just by plugging it in. This particular device will get users access to 4K streaming quality, while the remote also includes a microphone button for using the Alexa voice assistant.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K: ~~$49.99~~ $24.99 at Amazon

Amazon's Fire TV Sticks have become a staple in the modern streaming market, and at half off for the 4K version, buyers could stand to get a really good deal on hi-res video quality. This discount brings the 4K Fire Stick down to just $25, though it normally retails at $50.View Deal

✅Recommended if: you're looking for an easy, affordable TV streaming device that makes accessing your favorite streaming services simple; you want something that's compatible with Alexa smart home systems; you need something that offers 4K resolution.

❌Skip this deal if: you'd rather go with Chromecast or another system for plug-and-play streaming; you'd prefer a system with official Google app support.

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K and others in the series have become well-liked due to how easy they are to use to access streaming services. Users must simply plug the device into their TV's HDMI port, and it will essentially turn the screen into a smart streaming device.

We also named the Fire TV Stick 4K the best Amazon Fire TV stick overall, though it normally costs twice the current price. It includes visual features such as HDR, Dolby Vision, and an Ambient Mode, while also including 16GB of onboard storage. Additionally, users can use Alexa to search, control smart home devices, or they can ask questions about TV shows or movies, find content based on specific actors or directors, and more.

Okay spring, go off! Amazon's seasonal sale includes 33% OFF the 4K Max Fire Stick for a limited time

zacharydvisconti@gmail.com (Zachary David) — Sat, 29 Mar 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Those in need of a good deal on streaming devices will like this next one, coming straight from Amazon's Big Spring Sale. Right now, you can get 33% off the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K for the sales event, marking $20 off on the retailer's top-quality plug-and-play streaming device.

The Fire TV Stick is generally well-liked by users for its ease-of-use, since it just plugs into the TV's HDMI port and gives you the ability to log into pretty much any streaming platform. The 4K Max also supports 4K streaming, along with including a handful of new AI features, and twice the onboard storage of the regular 4K option with 16GB. Plus, get easy access to Alexa voice commands, pre-programmed buttons for Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, and Disney Plus, and game streaming with Amazon Luna.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max: ~~$59.99~~ $39.99 for Amazon's Big Spring Sale

Amazon's Big Spring Sale continues, this time bringing a 33% discount on the Fire TV Stick 4K Max. This is the company's top premium-level Fire Stick, offering a combination of 4K streaming, along with 16GB of storage and a number of AI features. At just $40, this is a pretty solid deal. However, it's also worth noting that Amazon has discounts on the whole lineup of Fire TV Sticks, so even if you don't need the 4K Max, you can still save some bucks.View Deal

✅Recommended if: you want an easy solution for streaming in 4K; you're simply looking for a TV device that will give you access to streaming apps; you like using the latest in AI features, from search to generative AI.

❌Skip this deal if: you don't want to have to deal with advertisements; you'd rather go with something that has AirPlay or Chromecast compatibility; you don't have a 4K-compatible TV and would rather save some money on the non-4K Fire TV Sticks.

Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the company's most powerful of the lineup, featuring 16GB of storage, easy access to 4K streaming, game streaming with Luna, and more. The Fire TV Stick is often considered one of the best streaming devices, largely due to how easy it is to just plug into your TV and get started. The remote also has a nice, minimal form factor, along with quick access to Alexa through a built-in voice command button.

Beyond having double the storage that the regular 4K model has, the 4K Max also gives users access to AI features, such as generative AI-image wallpapers, Alexa AI-backed search assist, and more.

To be sure, it's worth noting that it's hard to escape advertisements anywhere on the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, but if that doesn't bother you, this deal might be one worth considering.

Time to ditch the cable box! Amazon has launched 40% OFF the Fire TV Stick Lite

zacharydvisconti@gmail.com (Zachary Visconti) — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 19:10:52 +0000

If you need a super good deal on a device to connect to your favorite streaming services, this might just be your stop.

For a limited time, you can get 40% off the Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite, bringing the price of this already affordable streaming solution to just $18.

Even with the budget-friendly Fire Stick Lite, users can access a wide range of streaming services, free media, and live TV channels simply by plugging the receiver into an HDMI port and a power outlet. It offers 1080p resolution, which is more than enough for most casual TV watchers, and the newer iteration of the Lite also comes with access to Alexa voice controls that can easily be used to control other Amazon smart home devices. It's also lightweight and portable enough for travel, making it a perfect packable solution for business trips and vacations alike.

Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite: ~~$29.99~~ $17.99 at Amazon

For a limited time, Amazon is offering the economy price Fire TV Stick Lite for 40% off, bringing it down to under $20. The package includes both the receiver and the Amazon Alexa Voice Remote Lite, offering a perfect easy-to-use solution for anyone with Wi-Fi, an HD TV, and credentials for one or more music and TV streaming services. Those who don't can still take advantage of the included free channels, as well as easy access to Alexa smart home voice controls. View Deal

✅Recommended if: you want an easy plug-and-play solution for accessing streaming services; you'd rather have a lightweight, portable TV option than cable boxes, gaming consoles, or other media devices; you're already a user of other smart home devices within the Amazon ecosystem.

❌Skip this deal if: you're looking for a Fire TV Stick that can stream in 4K; you want the latest in Amazon's AI tech.

The great thing about Amazon's lineup of Fire TV Sticks is that they're simple to use. Owners just plug the HDMI receiver into their TV and into a wall charger with a micro-USB port, both included, and they're ready to watch. The Fire TV Stick Lite is no different, ringing in at Amazon's most budget-friendly price—and even more so with this discount.

The Fire TV Stick Lite and base-level Fire TV Stick both offer 1080p resolution, so those wanting 4K will need to upgrade to Amazon's three other options: the Fire TV Stick 4K, Fire TV Stick 4K Max, or Fire TV Cube. Additionally, the 4K lineup also includes Amazon's generative AI-powered FireTV experience, but really the Fire TV Stick Lite gets the job done.

The main difference between the regular Amazon Fire TV Stick and the TV Stick Lite is that this version isn't capable of controlling power or volume on other TVs, soundbars, or receivers, and that the non-lite version normally retails for $40 rather than $30. Otherwise, they're pretty much identical, so it might be worth jumping on this 40% off deal while it's available if external device control isn't a dealbreaker for you.

Ends tonight! The 65-inch Hisense U6HF Series TV is 40% OFF during October Prime Day

Zachary David — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 00:00:15 +0000

There's no better time to pick up a new TV deal than during one of Amazon's Prime Day sales, but you only have a few more hours until the discounts are gone for good. Place your order before midnight tonight and you'll get a 40% discount for this 65-inch Hisense Fire TV at Amazon, marking a whopping $250 off the normal purchase price. This smart TV features a 4K display with easy access to Amazon Fire streaming channels.

See all the October Prime Day deals: USA | UK | Canada | India

Hisense 65-Inch Class U6HF Series 4K Fire TV: ~~$749.99~~ $449.99 at Amazon for October Prime Day

Hisense is back with great Amazon Prime Day deals, including $250 off the price of this 65-inch ULED 4K TV. This smart TV includes Amazon's simple Fire TV interface, along with an aesthetically-pleasing bezel-less design that'll fit in well with any room decor. Plus, Alexa fans will appreciate the ease of use with other Amazon devices, and when navigating around the TV itself.View Deal

Amazon Prime 30-day FREE trial: Most deals are Prime-exclusive

✅Recommended if: you're a regular Alexa user or generally like Amazon's Fire ecosystem; you want a good-looking 4K TV; having a smart TV that's easy to connect to Bluetooth, casting modules, and other modern-day devices is a priority for you.

❌Skip this deal if: you're looking for a TV with a native refresh rate that's higher than 60Hz; 65 inches isn't the right size for you or your space; you'd prefer something with an OS other than Amazon Fire.

This 65-inch Amazon Fire TV features 4K and Hisense's good-looking ULED technology, which helps boost color saturation and brightness. It comes with connectivity options for Bluetooth, Ethernet, HDMI, USB, and Wi-Fi, along with including easy access to streaming apps through the built-in Fire TV OS.

While it does only have a 60Hz native refresh rate, it also includes a bonus 240 motion rate feature that'll make movies and shows blur-free.

This discounted Amazon Fire TV is a solid Black Friday buy for the dorm room or kids' room

klpmediallc@gmail.com (Tshaka Armstrong) — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 08:00:59 +0000

Dope for dorm rooms and cool for the kids! This 32” Amazon Fire TV with Alexa voice remote is just the right cost for your little, or not-so-little ones this Black Friday. The upsides are that you are going to get a capable smart TV which supports HDR 10, HLG and comes with an Alexa voice remote so content searches can be done more efficiently, without having to use the remote’s physical buttons to navigate around the screen which is always a pain.

HDR and HLG support for the dorm or kids' room at a great price

Amazon Fire TV 32" 2-Series HD smart TV with Fire TV Alexa Voice Remote: ~~$199.99~~ $109.99 at Amazon

Need a TV for the dorm room or the kids room that supports HDR? How about Bluetooth so they can rock headphones while gaming, to keep the noise down? You get a solid feature set at one of the lower prices we've seen, so give this a serious look!

Price tracker: Only on AmazonView Deal

Android Central's Black Friday deal hubs:
General | Phones | Tablets | Wearables | TVs | Smart Home

(Image credit: Amazon)

The HDR 10 and HLG support is a big deal because this isn’t 4k, or even 1080p for that matter, but HDR support means that with shows that support the standard, you should still get images that are bright, and have a wide range of colors! HLG is supported by broadcasters so sports should look pretty good on this set, as well as movies. And to ensure that you’re getting a solid image, the unit uses direct LED for backlighting which produces better brightness and blacks with more uniformity to the backlighting than an Edge lit TV. Basically, when it comes to LCD’s this is generally the better of the two technologies, though it’s worth noting that one of the weaknesses of direct LED backlighting is contrast. Blacks can sometimes appear more gray than black.

(Image credit: Amazon)

We’ll get to more specs in a moment, but it’s important to note that at $110 you’re going to get an HDMI ARC input. What exactly does that mean? Less cables. For those buying this for a dorm room, your college student can hook up a soundbar, then connect other items to the soundbar and it will all play directly through there. This means that in addition to the smart TV channels that are accessible and can play audio through the HDMI ARC port, you can even use an antenna and the audio will play through the soundbar, not just the TV speakers. The same applies to any gaming consoles you’re going to connect up. This Fire TV also supports passthrough of Dolby-encoded audio which quite a few units don’t.

In addition to the HDMI ARC port, you’ll get two more standard HDMI inputs and you’ll have Bluetooth to connect to so that your student or child can game all they want without disturbing your sleep or their roommates. In terms of internet connectivity, the TV supports both wifi and ethernet connections. The only downside here is that the resolution is only 720p.

At $109.99 this is the lowest price this TV has been seen at, so it’ll make a great deal for the use cases I mentioned at the beginning of this article. You get a lot for that price if you know what to expect going into the purchase.

Which Amazon Fire TV devices work with hearing aids?

jerry.hildenbrand@futurenet.com (Jerry Hildenbrand) — Thu, 24 Nov 2022 19:30:08 +0000

Which Amazon Fire TV devices work with hearing aids?

Best Answer: In April 2022 Amazon announced that the 2nd generation Fire TV Cube and the Fire TV Omni series of devices support Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids, which is a Bluetooth technology that streams an audio source directly from the device.

Supported hearing aids can stream audio directly

There have been devices that allow you to stream audio from a television to a hearing aid around for a while but advancements in Bluetooth mean that it's possible to stream directly without any added hardware — provided you have the right equipment.

This feature is available on two Fire TV devices from Amazon, the 2nd generaton Fire TV Cube and Fire TV Omni sets. Amazon says that Starkey Bluetooth hearing aids are compatible but it's expected that other brands will follow.

Amazon doesn't detail the exact specifications of Fire TV ASHA support, but we can be sure it depends on a few underlying pieces of tech, namely Bluetooth LE (Low Energy) and software that can maintain a steady flow of audio through a buffer.

This is why a Bluetooth-enabled hearing aid doesn't "just work" with any device that can connect over Bluetooth, and why Amazon and Starkey had to build devices using the right tech to enable the feature.

(Image credit: Amzon)

This means more than just being able to hear your favorite shows, too. The connection is done at the system level, which means you can use your hearing aid for music and video streaming, hear game audio, and even hear what Alexa has to say without any extra hardware. You can even control the volume through the Fire TV remote.

There are two big caveats to remember — you should use a 5GHz Wi-Fi network for the connection to your Fire TV and because hearing aids have tiny antennas you will need to stay within 10 feet or so of your Fire TV device. Things can work on a slower 2.4GHz connection or further than 10 feet away, but results may vary.

Android phones from Samsung, Google, OnePlus, and other brands as well as iPhones since the 11 series support direct hearing aid connections using ASHA, but it's great to see an actual media streaming device join the party. This is another reason why Amazon makes some of the best streaming devices you can buy.

Amazon Fire TV Cube

The Amazon Fire TV Cube (2022) is the most powerful Fire TV model available, as it can function as a smart TV hub as well as a smart speaker. There's even a slew of microphones built in to ensure Alexa never misses a request.

Get a 32-inch TV with Fire TV and HDMI (ARC) built-in for under $100 for Prime Day with pickup today

tips@androidcentral.com (Samuel Contreras) — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 16:39:29 +0000

Simplicity is key when it comes to a worry-free TV experience. The more things you have to plug in, the more that can go wrong. Insignia's Smart Fire TVs make things as simple as possible with Fire TV built-in so you can stream from your favorite apps without any extra remotes or devices plugged into the back of the TV. It also works with other devices like a cable box thanks to three HDMI ports and even composite input. The Insignia 32-inch Smart Fire TV is just $99.99 for Prime Day, which is $80 off. You can even buy it through Amazon and pick it up today at a local Best Buy.

Insignia has three 720p smart TVs on sale for Prime Day with 24-inch, 32-inch, and 39-inch models available, so you can pick the size that fits your space best. Whether you're looking to upgrade your main TV with something a little smarter or just need something for the bedroom or garage, you won't find a much cheaper option. Since these TVs have Fire TV inside, you don't need a second remote or another device to watch on your favorite apps. Amazon has even added local news channels to Fire TV, so you can get one step closer to ditching expensive cable plans for good.

Despite the low price, there are some nice features included, such as HDMI with ARC. ARC stands for audio return channel and makes it easy to connect a soundbar for a high-quality audio upgrade. There are three HDMI inputs plus a composite input on the back, so you can connect anything from a VCR to a PS5 to it. There's also an analog aux output for audio alongside an optical port for digital audio.

Get a new Fire TV as soon as today with Insignia and Best Buy on Prime Day

Insignia 32-inch Class F20 Series Smart HD 720p Fire TV: ~~$179.99~~ $99.99 at Amazon

Get a TV with Fire TV built-in on Prime Day so you can stream without any extra boxes or wires. Choose the 24-inch or 39-inch versions to get the right size for your space.View Deal

Amazon Fire TV 43" 4-Series 4K UHD smart TV: ~~$369.99~~ $299.99 at Amazon

If you're looking for a TV with a higher-quality picture, Amazon's own 4-series is a good option with a 4K panel and Fire TV built-in. It's also available in 50-inch and 55-inch versions making it a good pick for the living room.View Deal

Insignia’s 720p is one of the best Amazon Fire TV built-in TVs you can get thanks to its price but if you want something a little higher-end, you have some options. The Amazon-branded 43-inch 4-series 4K TV is a 4K option starting at 43-inches with 50 and 55-inch options available.

These are far from the only Prime Day deals and if you’re looking for more ways to save, be it on TVs or other electronics, we’re rounding up the best Amazon deals with our live blog.

How to use Amazon Fire TV's Live tab menu

Keegan Prosser — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 15:45:02 +0000

Amazon recently made it even easier to access live streaming content on its Fire TV devices by updating the functionality of the Live tab. As part of the update, Fire TV users can now customize their integrated channel guide by adding their favorite live channels. With that in mind, we've put together this handy how-to for using the Amazon Fire TV Live tab menu.

How to add live channels

The Amazon Fire TV Live tab menu is located on the homepage and allows users to see what content is currently streaming live, and displays categories like news, sports, and recently watched movies or shows. Users can also add live channels from their favorite free and subscription-based apps to their guide for a more personalized streaming experience. Here's how to do just that.

Navigate to the Fire TV homepage and scroll to the Live tab.
Under the Live tab, select Guide and On Now. Source: Keegan Prosser / Android Central

While in the channel guide, press the Menu button on the Alexa Voice Remote.
When the options menu opens, scroll to and select Add to Favorite Channels. Source: Keegan Prosser / Android Central

Return to the Live menu and scroll to the Options menu at the bottom.
Scroll to and select Favorites. Source: Keegan Prosser / Android Central

The live channels added by the Fire TV user should now appear in the Favorites section under the Live tab. Users can also access the added channels by asking Alexa. Examples of commands that might work include "Alexa, show me Live TV on Fire TV," "Alexa, tune to FOX News," "Alexa, tune to ESPN," and "Alexa, find the CBS This Morning."

If you don't like using the voice feature, Amazon recently added a dedicated guide button on all-new Alexa Voice Remotes, which allows you to access live TV channels with just one click. Pushing the guide button will take you directly to the new integrated channel guide in the Live tab.

Top apps that support Fire TV's live experience

Fire TV's Live tab supports integration with a variety of free, ad-supported, and subscription-based content. Here's a list of some of the most popular live-streaming apps being added by Fire TV users right now.

YouTube TV
Prime Video Channels
IMDB TV
Hulu + Live TV
Discovery+
Pluto TV
Sling TV
FOX Now
Tubi
Philo
Red Bull TV
Plex
ESPN
Haystack News
Xumo

It's also worth pointing out that the Fire TV live experience is also available to customers using Fire TV smart TVs.

Easy streaming

Amazon Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen)

Watch live TV
The Amazon Fire TV Stick gives you easy access to a variety of free and subscription-based streaming apps and live channels. It's also compatible with Alexa.

How to use Zoom on Amazon Fire TV

Keegan Prosser — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 11:00:02 +0000

Amazon recently partnered with Zoom to bring the Zoom app to Amazon Fire TV. While the feature is technically only available on the Fire TV Cube (2nd Gen) and Amazon Fire TV Omni Series televisions, there is a way to take Zoom calls using other Amazon Fire TV devices. With that in mind, we've put together this explainer for using Zoom on Amazon Fire TV, no matter what device you use.

How to use Zoom on Amazon Fire TV

If you're using a Fire TV Cube or an Amazon Fire TV Omni Series television, these are the steps you need to take to use Zoom on Amazon Fire TV.

On the Amazon Fire TV homepage, scroll to the Find tab.
Under Find, select the Search tab and type Zoom app.
Search for the Zoom app.
Click on the Zoom app and select download.
Once the app is downloaded, it should appear on your Amazon Fire TV homepage.

After downloading the Zoom app, simply plug in the webcam to your Fire TV Cube or into the USB port on your Omni series television. If you're not sure which webcam to use, Amazon recommends the Logitech C920, C922x, or C310. From there, you can also use the built-in Alexa in Omni to say, "Alexa, find Zoom" and "Alexa, join my Zoom meeting."

Once you've opened the Zoom app, you'll be asked to Join a meeting by providing a meeting ID and passcode. While you don't need a Zoom account in order to join a meeting, you will need one if you plan on hosting a meeting in the future. It's also worth pointing out that Zoom app also offers both paid and free options.

Best webcam for most

Logitech C920s

Video calls from your TV
Need an affordable but quality webcam? Logitech is one of the brands to beat, but if you're looking for one to work with your Amazon Fire TV Omni Series TV, the Logitech C920s is a great 1080p webcam that provides clear video thanks to HD autofocus and light correction.

Zoom on other Amazon Fire TV devices

While the Zoom smart TV app is currently only compatible with the Amazon Fire TV Cube (2nd Gen) and Amazon Fire TV Omni Series TVs (which are some of the best Amazon Fire TV built-in televisions), there is a workaround for downloading Zoom on other Amazon Fire TV devices. You'll need to download the Downloader app from the Amazon Fire TV app store first, and then follow these steps:

From your homepage, select the Settings icon on the far right of your screen.
Under Settings, select My Fire TV or Device & Software. Source: Keegan Prosser / Android Central

Click Developer Options.
Scroll down and select Install unknown apps. Source: Keegan Prosser / Android Central

Select Downloader and turn it ON.

Source: Keegan Prosser / Android Central (Image credit: Source: Keegan Prosser / Android Central)

The device should now be set up to install any third-party apps, including the Zoom app. Now you just need to download Zoom. Here's how:

From your homepage, select and open the Downloader app.
On the left, navigate to and select the Browser option. Source: Keegan Prosser / Android Central

Click the URL field.
Erase the existing URL, enter Zoom, and click Go. Source: Keegan Prosser / Android Central

On the next screen, scroll down and choose the Download center – Zoom option.
From there, select to Download from Zoom. Source: Keegan Prosser / Android Central

Once the download is complete, select Install.
After the Zoom app is completely installed, click Delete to remove the APK file from the Zoom app. Source: Keegan Prosser / Android Central

When prompted, click Delete a second time to confirm the deletion.

After completing the above steps, you should be able to access the Zoom app under the Applications tab on your Amazon Fire TV homepage and use Zoom on Amazon Fire TV. Once you've opened the app, you'll be asked to Join a Meeting by providing a meeting ID and passcode.

While you are not required to have a webcam to join a Zoom Meeting or Webinar, you will not be able to transmit video of yourself while using the Zoom app on devices other than the Fire TV Cube (2nd Gen) and Amazon Fire TV Omni series TVs. However, you will still be able to listen and speak during the meeting, share your screen, and view the webcam video of other participants.

Amazon's upgraded cube

Amazon Fire TV Cube (2nd-gen)

Amazon's most powerful Fire TV device
The most powerful Fire TV streaming device on the market, the Amazon Fire TV Cube (2020) acts as both a smart TV hub and smart speaker. It also features built-in microphones so that Alexa never misses a command.

A really smart TV

Amazon Fire TV Omni Series

More money, more perks
The Amazon Fire TV Omni Series is a step up from the Amazon Fire TV 4-Series of smart TVs and offers size options ranging from 43 inches and going all the way up to 75 inches.

Amazon Fire TV is going beyond Jeep vehicles, coming to more cars in 2022

Jay Bonggolto — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 14:06:56 +0000

What you need to know

Amazon announced that it's bringing Fire TV to more vehicles this year.
The media interface is coming to Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chrysler Pacifica, Ford Explorer and Lincoln Navigator.
Fire TV's version for cars will use Alexa's hands-free capabilities to let you play content using your voice.

Late last year, Amazon Fire TV was integrated into Stellantis' Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models, making these the first vehicles to have the platform for in-car entertainment. Amazon announced at CES 2022 that it will expand Fire TV for auto to more cars this year.

According to a blog post by Amazon, the in-car media interface will be available in 2022 models of the Lincoln Navigator and Ford Explorer. It will also be incorporated into Stellantis' other vehicle models, such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chrysler Pacifica.

The Fire TV interface for rear-seat passengers is generally the same as you'd find at home. For example, you can stream videos, listen to music, or perform hands-free tasks with Alexa. This allows parents, for example, to select a show for their children seated in the back by using voice commands, especially when using a remote proves inconvenient.

You can watch and listen to TV shows and movies via Bluetooth, wired headphones, or your car's speakers. In-car Fire TV will also offer touchscreen navigation. There's also the option to download content for offline viewing, which comes in handy when mobile signal becomes spotty.

Amazon also plans to roll out personalized profiles to Fire TV in cars in order to streamline your experience with some of the best Amazon Fire TV built-in televisions at home or in your vehicle. This allows you to pause whatever you're watching in the living room and resume where you left off in the car.

Car manufacturers can tailor the Fire TV experience to their specific models based on their unique feature requirements. This means that Fire TV can work with a variety of audio systems and comfort controls.

Amazon's move marks a significant shift for Fire TV, transforming it from a home entertainment platform to an on-the-go service that keeps you tied to the same experience and ecosystem.

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Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K vs. Roku Premiere: Which should you buy?

jeramy.johnson@futurenet.com (Jeramy Johnson) — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 20:30:00 +0000

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K

Faster hardware and a refined OS

Amazon has been refining the Fire TV platform for many generations, and the latest Fire TV Stick is the culmination of all those years of refinement. It plugs right into the HDMI port of your 4K TV and also includes the functionality of Alexa.

Pros

Support for 4K, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos
Fire TV interface is really simple to use
Remote is well-designed
Faster Wi-Fi (802.11ac)

Cons

No support for Google apps besides YouTube

Roku Premiere

4K for less than the rest

The Roku Premiere is a compact 4K streamer that offers quite a lot of value for a low price. Roku supports all the major streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime, along with a vast library of free channels offering varied content.

Pros

Great value for a 4K streaming device
Support for streaming services and user channels
Easy to set up and use

Cons

Free channel content is hit and miss
Slow Wi-Fi (802.11n)

When comparing the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K vs. the Roku Premiere, your choice might just be down to your allegiance to Amazon's broader ecosystem of products and services because they both offer a ton of great content to stream with user-friendly interfaces. Both can deliver 4K HDR quality where available, while the Fire TV Stick offers a remote with built-in voice controls. In addition, both offer support for Alexa — but only the Roku is compatible with Google Assistant for searching for and playing content.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K vs. Roku Premiere: Let's break it down

(Image credit: Android Central)

The first thing you'll notice is that there are some distinct differences in design between the two. The Fire TV Stick 4K is a compact dongle that plugs right into the back of your TV, with an included HDMI extender cable if space is pretty tight. The Roku Premiere is similarly compact and includes an HDMI for connecting to your TV, but it's light enough to be mounted to the back of your TV.

	Fire TV Stick 4K	Roku Premiere
Supports 4K	Yes	Yes
Supports HDR	Yes	Yes
Remote with microphone	Yes	No
Works with Alexa	Yes	Yes
Works with Google Assistant	No	Yes
Gaming	Amazon Luna	None

On the software side of things, you're bound for a similar experience no matter which device you choose. Both devices let you customize your home screen with your favorite content sources, and the interfaces are intuitive and familiar if you've ever used a streaming service before.

Amazon does a predictably good job pointing you towards its own video streaming and Alexa's built-in functionality on the remote. Of course, if you want, you can also control your TV through Amazon's minimalistic Fire TV app. You'll be able to find the most popular streaming services on this, the best Fire TV stick, including YouTube and Apple TV+. Who would have thought that when this product came out?

Roku also makes some of the best streaming products, but it has no direct stake in the streaming service game. It isn't competing so head-to-head with Google, so there are a ton of streaming services and channels under the Roku umbrella. Each service gets equal weight on the Roku platform, but the remote does prominently feature hotkey buttons for Netflix, Sling, Hulu, and DirecTV Now, so that's a convenient inclusion if you're a subscriber to any of those services.

While there is no microphone on the remote, you can control your TV with the Roku app. From here, you can control everything from your phone, plug in headphones for private viewing sessions, and use a mobile keyboard when you're searching for content to watch. You can also conveniently cast content from your phone to your Roku-connected TV, which might come in handy the next time you're able to have a party.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K vs. Roku Premiere: Which should you choose?

(Image credit: Andrew Myrick)

The first question is whether you should buy either of them. While these two streaming devices get the job done and offer 4K support, they are without a doubt, the budget 4K options. In fact, the Roku Premiere doesn't even feature in our best Roku list as it has been replaced by other picks with a few more bells and whistles.

For those considering the Fire TV Stick 4K, it's worth considering if your TV supports 4K at all. If not, you might be better served by a cheaper device as we saw in our Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick Lite review. You also might find the upgrade to Wi-Fi 6 and faster CPU to be worth the extra money like we saw in our Fire TV Stick 4K Max review.

These two streamers are pretty evenly matched in the most important area. Still, we must pick a winner, and ultimately we feel that the Alexa Voice Remote and slicker interface weigh in Amazon's favor. Amazon's streaming stick also comes with faster Wi-Fi support so you see fewer loading bars when starting up a new show. However, if you're not heavily invested in Amazon's ecosystem, or if you want access to Google Play apps, then the Roku Premiere might be the better option for you. Either way, you're going to be entertained!

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K

A simple TV upgrade with Alexa

Powered by Fire TV OS with Alexa available at your beck and call, the Fire TV Stick 4K is your best streaming option from Amazon. It's a full-featured dongle with support for HDR 4K and Dolby Vision that can also be controlled by your Amazon Echo speakers.

Roku Premiere

An easy-to-use smart TV upgrade

Roku managed to undercut Amazon in price but came up a bit short in terms of features. Having said that, Roku devices are both easy to set up and use, and there are a ton of great content channels available. If you haven't already bought into the Amazon Echo ecosystem, it's a strong budget pick.

Zoom arrives on Amazon's best Fire TVs just in time for the holidays

Derrek Lee — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 19:19:08 +0000

What you need to know

Zoom partners with Amazon on its first smart TV app.
The Zoom app is capable of up to 1080p video with compatible webcams.
The app is available on any size Omni series TV.

Amazon and Zoom are preparing Fire TV owners for the holidays, thanks to the new Zoom app arriving on Amazon's Omni Series TVs.

While Zoom has been available on the 2nd-gen Fire TV Cube, this is the first time it's available on Amazon's Fire TV sets.

To get started with Zoom, you must download it from the Fire TV Appstore, which you can do easily by asking Alexa via your remote. After downloading Zoom, you can log in to access and create new meetings, view your contacts, share your screen, and more.

Source: Amazon (Image credit: Source: Amazon)

Your calendar can also sync with Alexa for easy access to all of your upcoming meetings, and so you can use the voice assistant to jump into a meeting.

Of course, you'll also need a compatible webcam to attach to your Fire TV. The webcam should be able to record 720p or 1080p video with a 60–90 degree field of view. Amazon recommends Logitech, which makes some of the best webcams for your TV, including the Logitech C920, C922x, or C310.

It should be noted that the Zoom app will only emit audio from the TV speakers, although support for external speakers may come at a later time.

Now that your big screen supports Zoom meetings, it should make the holidays a bit better for those who cannot travel for family gatherings amid the ongoing COVID-19 surge. This way, the whole family won't have to sit around a small screen to be part of the fun, and everyone can fit on the screen.

The Fire TV app is available on the Omni Series TVs in the U.S. and Canada.

Crystal clear

Logitech C920s

Video calls from your TV
The Logitech C920s is a great 1080p webcam that provides clear video thanks to HD autofocus and light correction. If you own an Amazon Fire TV Omni Series television, this should be perfect for Zoom video calls.

Save hundreds on Amazon Fire TV sets at Amazon and Best Buy

Michael L Hicks — Fri, 17 Dec 2021 00:35:01 +0000

The best Amazon Fire TV Edition sets offer built-in access to Fire TV while saving an HDMI port. Mostly made by reliable brands like Toshiba and Insignia, these Fire TVs are often quite affordable, even up to 75 inches. And right now, you'll find major deals on some of the best models available.

Among the Amazon Fire TV deals available, you'll find up to $250 off both the Toshiba C350 and Insignia F30, two of our top 4K picks for quality and affordability. There's also $100 off the brand-new Toshiba M550 with a 120Hz refresh rate and 48 local dimming zones, plus sets as low as $200 if you're willing to choose FHD over 4K. Overall, all of these well-reviewed sets offer great quality at even lower prices than usual.

You'll find the same prices on Amazon and Best Buy for these sets. Just keep in mind that many of the Best Buy deal listings offer further incentives to go with the discounted television: a free Echo Dot (3rd Gen), three months of Apple TV+ for new subscribers, and 30 days of free FuboTV.

Save hundred on Fire TV Editions, plus an Echo Dot for free

Insignia F30 55" 4K | Up to $250 off

With 4K UHD visual quality, DTS Studio Sound, HDMI ARC and eARC support, and the Amazon Voice Remote with Alexa, this set gives you everything you need in a living room TV at a low price.

All-New Toshiba 55-inch 55C350KU C350 | $140 off

4K UHD video, support for Dolby Vision and HDR10, and DTS Virtual: X compatibility gives this mid-range TV the chops to handle the best quality that your favorite streaming apps have to offer.

Toshiba - 55-inch Class M550 Series | $250 off

The M550 is Toshiba's newest Fire TV flagship. Along with the same perks as the C350, you get a 120Hz LCD panel with 48 local dimming zones, HDMI 2.1 ports, and built-in mics for commands without using the remote mic.

All-New Toshiba - 43-inch Class V35 Series | $120 off

If you don't need 4K quality and just want the most affordable TV option possible, this cheap Toshiba V35 set gives you Fire TV built-in with FHD resolution.

Pioneer - 50-inch PN50951-22U | $190 off

This reliable 4K Fire TV television offers Dolby Vision and HDR, plus it's VESA wall-mountable if you prefer. At $190 off, it's one of the most affordable options today.

Best Soundbars in 2022

Andrew Myrick — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 19:12:00 +0000

Soundbars have come a long way in the last few years. While full-sized speakers will still sound better — sound needs space, after all — soundbars sound great for their size. That size also requires a smaller footprint in your living room and with something like the Sonos Beam, you will get great sound without a head-scratching installation process, and more. There are other great soundbars available, and we have detailed some of the best options for your home.

Best Overall: Sonos Beam Smart TV Sound Bar

Sonos Beam Smart TV Sound Bar

All of the smarts

Amazon Alexa built-in

Integration with other Sonos speakers

Lightweight

No subwoofer included

Optical cable needed if HDMI-ARC not available

Voice commands won't work with optical cable

With the Sonos Beam, you get a superb TV soundbar with some basic smarts. The Sonos Beam connects to your TV with HDMI-ARC, or with the included HDMI-to-Optical adapter. It only supports Alexa right now, but Google Assistant integration is coming at some point. You can control your TV with your voice if your TV supports HDMI-CEC, which most modern sets do. Controlling your TV with your voice isn't a replacement for a remote, but it's an excellent option.

Sonos' ecosystem is attractive because of how easy it is to add more of their speakers and create a surround system. You can start with the Sonos Beam and have a great soundbar. A few months later, you can pick up a couple of Sonos One speakers to add more channels. Or, you can buy a Sonos 5.1 kit with everything you need.

3D Surround Sound: Yamaha YAS-207BL Soundbar

Yamaha YAS-207BL Soundbar

Almost perfect

Wireless subwoofer included

Virtual 3D surround sound

Able to stream music over Bluetooth

Use the included remote or application on your phone

Incompatible with smart assistants

No support for multi-room systems

There is surround sound, and then there is a 3-dimensional surround sound, and the Yamaha 207BL Soundbar was the first of its kind to offer 3D surround sound. With DTS Virtual:X, the 207BL will fill every inch of your room to entrench you in the action and make you feel like you are part of the movie.

Yamaha also includes the ability to stream music over Bluetooth, along with using either the included remote or the accompanying smartphone app. Plus, there is a wireless subwoofer packaged in the bundle so you can get just the right amount of bass for your favourite movie, TV show, or music playlist.

Unfortunately, while the 207BL is excellent in many facets, there are a few frustrating omissions. The first of these is the lack of integration with smart assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant. Additionally, you won't be able to pair this soundbar with other speakers, leaving you to only rely on the 207BL and subwoofer for your audio needs.

Best for small spaces: Polk Audio MagniFi Mini Soundbar

Polk Audio MagniFi Mini Soundbar

Compact, smart, and powerful

Fits into small spaces

Wireless subwoofer included

Voice Adjust technology allows control voice levels for media

Stream music with Google Home or Bluetooth

Cannot mount to the wall

Cannot connect to other speakers

Polk is another one of those companies that prides itself on providing great audio experiences throughout your home. The MagniFi Mini Soundbar is no different and has a few tricks up its sleeves that other soundbars can't compete with.

Smart home integration is on board, as Polk has included Google Assistant with the built-in Chromecast for Google Cast. This allows you to play content directly from your smartphone, tablet, or Chromebook without having to deal with the frustrating pairing system of Bluetooth. The MagniFi Mini also includes a wireless subwoofer so that you can get that extra bass from your media, without the need for any additional wires.

As the MagniFi Mini is exceptionally compact, there is no way to mount this to your wall without installing a shelf underneath your TV. Plus, Polk has not included the ability to sync this with other speakers, even those made by Polk, so you will have to hope that this speaker gives you the desired output.

Bottom line

Soundbars come in all shapes and sizes, and there are a lot of different considerations to be taken when selecting the best one. The Sonos Beam is our favourite option with its combination of superb sound quality and ability to be paired with other Sonos speakers. This will allow you to create a genuinely immersive, surround audio experience for your home, providing the ultimate movie night.

There are some downfalls, as there is no wireless subwoofer available so the sound may not "punch" as hard as you would like. Although there is a smart assistant available with Amazon's Alexa, you may run into problems if you have to use the Optical connection, as voice commands are not accessible.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Andrew Myrick is a regular freelancer at Android Central and iMore. He has been a tech enthusiast ever since the original iPhone was released and continues to flip-flop between devices. You might as well hook him up to an IV filled with coffee to get him through the day. If you have any questions, you can find him on Twitter, and he'll get back to you.

How to watch local news on your Amazon Fire TV

Keegan Prosser — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 12:00:03 +0000

Amazon recently updated the News app across Fire TV devices to include local news coverage in 158 cities across the United States. But how exactly do you access all that new content on your television? With that in mind, we're breaking down what you need to do to watch local news on your Amazon Fire TV device right now.

How to watch local news on your Amazon Fire TV

To watch local news on your Amazon Fire TV device, follow these simple steps:

On your Amazon Fire TV homepage, select the News app.
Access local news for your city using the Local News tab within the app or by saying Alexa, play local news into your voice remote. Source: Keegan Prosser / Android Central

Choose which channel you want to watch from the list of Suggested News.

Source: Keegan Prosser / Android Central (Image credit: Source: Keegan Prosser / Android Central)

When you open the News app for the first time, it will prompt you to select the type of news you're most interested in. From there, the app will generate a custom playlist based on your selections. Otherwise, you'll find a wide selection of news options on the News app main page, including ABC News, Bloomberg TV+, Black News Channel, CBS News, CBS Sports HQ, Court TV, Estrella News, People TV, USA Today, and more.

The 411 on the Amazon News app

Amazon first announced it would be integrating its News app into Fire TV's Live TV channel guide in early 2021, as part of a major provider expansion. At that time, the company added more than 400 channels from 20 providers to Amazon Fire TV sticks and other Fire TV devices. This included YouTube TV, SLING TV, Tubi, and Amazon-owned services like Prime Video Channels and Prime Video Live events.

It's also worth pointing out that, in addition to featuring My News and Local News tabs, the main page of the News app now allows you to browse live news coverage via the Trending, Live, Categories, Channels, and Preferences tabs. If you decide to scroll over to the My News and Local News tabs, you'll also be given the option to "Customize Your News" or "Add your favorite local channels," respectively.

Even more power

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max

The most powerful Fire TV Stick
With 4K UHD streaming, Live View Picture-in-Picture, and the updated Alexa Voice Remote, Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K Max is everything you need in a streaming dongle and more.

Built-in Amazon Fire TV

Amazon Fire TV 4-Series

Amazon's own Fire TV
The Amazon Fire TV 4-Series is the company's first attempt at offering its own TV sets. The 4-Series comes in three different sizes, delivers 4K UHD video, and supports HDR10 and HLG.

Amazon is turning its Fire TV devices into the ultimate smart home displays

Derrek Lee — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 00:51:49 +0000

What you need to know

Amazon is rolling out a ton of new features for select Fire TV devices.
The new Smart Dashboard allows users to easily view and manage their smart home devices from their TV.
Alexa Shortcuts brings quick access to certain controls with the click of a button.
Fire TV devices can connect to Echo speakers for an immersive home theater experience.
Amazon is also bringing support for AirPlay 2, HomeKit, and Zoom.

While Amazon deals with its AWS outage, the company has taken the time to drop a ton of new features for its Fire TV devices which turn its smart TVs into smart displays.

The first major feature arriving on its TVs is the new Smart Dashboard, which sounds a lot like what it is. For Fire TV users in the U.S. and Canada, this new screen gives users quick and easy access to their smart home devices straight from their television. Users can easily manage their devices from this screen like they can on some of the best Amazo Echo Show displays.

It even has a dedicated row for smart cameras to get a quick look at your surroundings. Support for groups and thermostats is coming in early 2022.

Source: Amazon (Image credit: Source: Amazon)

To pull up the Smart Dashboard, Fire TV users just have to say, "Alexa, show me my smart home dashboard."

Or, if you don't need the whole dashboard, the new Alexa Shortcut Panel is just a click away for U.S. Fire TV owners. Now by tapping on the Alexa button on your Fire TV remote, users will get access to a shortcut panel at the bottom of their screen. This will provide quick access to smart home controls, weather, news, and the photo library.

An enticing feature is the Alexa Home Theater, which comes to the Omni and 4-Series Fire TVs as well as the Fire TV Stick 4K Max. This lets users pair speakers like the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) to their devices for a home theater-like experience. Amazon notes that the Fire TV Stick 4K Max will need to be hooked up to the HDMI eARC port for the feature to work.

Lastly, Amazon is bringing Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit to the Omni and 4-Series, and Zoom will be available on the Omni Series in the coming weeks, which will work so long as you have a compatible webcam attached.

Amazon notes that many of these features are "rolling out over the coming weeks."

4K all day

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max

The power of Alexa
The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the best way to get all of your favorite content at an affordable price. Simply plug into an HDMI port and get access to thousands of apps and services. And Alexa is at your fingertips to help you jump right into your content or control your other smart home devices.

TikTok arrives on Amazon Fire TV devices in the U.S. and Canada

Derrek Lee — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 23:44:57 +0000

What you need to know

TikTok is now available on Fire TV devices in the U.S.
The app functions similarly to the mobile app, albeit only for viewing content.
Echo Show devices are expected to receive support soon.

Amazon announced on Monday that TikTok is now available on its Fire TV devices in the U.S. and Canada, meaning more parents can join in on the latest craze with their kids.

With the new app, users will be able to view TikTok content as they normally would on any of the best Android phones or other devices. Users will be able to pull up and control TikTok using the Alexa Voice Remote wither with their voice or on-device controls.

Fire TV users will have access to the "For You" and "Following" tabs in the app, and it even supports autoplay so you can continue watching content on your TV without pause.

The app is available via the Appstore on the best Amazon Fire TV sticks as well as the company's new in-house-built Fire TV sets, as noted by Daniel Rausch, vice president of Amazon Entertainment Devices and Services.

TikTok is a household staple in our home and I'm thrilled the whole family can now enjoy their favorite TikTok videos together on the best screen in the house with TikTok on Fire TV.We love to pull up TikTok hands-free on our Fire TV Omni Series by just asking, 'Alexa, play TikTok.' We can't wait to hear how our customers are enjoying the latest dance craze or viral trends with their families.

The release follows Amazon's initial TikTok rollout on Fire TV devices in France, Germany, and the UK back in July, bringing Amazon up to speed with other TV platforms that already offer the app on their devices like Chromecast with Google TV.

Additionally, Amazon states that TikTok support will come to its Echo Show devices, although it hasn't provided a timeframe for its release.

Alexa on the big screen

Fire TV Stick 4K

All the content
The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is one of the best streaming sticks available, giving you access to a myriad of apps for streaming to your heart's content. And now with TikTok, you can enjoy some of the latest trends with the whole family.

Amazon announces Alexa controls, Apple AirPlay 2, and HomeKit support coming to more smart TVs

Jeramy Johnson — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 13:22:34 +0000

What you need to know

Amazon announced that it's bringing more interactive features to several of the smart TV platforms it works with, including webOS and Fire TV.
The first major announcement is that Alexa will soon be available on many third-party TVs powered by LG's webOS platform.
The other major announcement is that the company has brought support for Apple's AirPlay2 and HomeKit protocols to two of its newest Fire TV Edition sets.

This week Amazon and its partners announced a range of new interactive features that will be rolling out to a couple of major smart TV platforms, including existing Fire TV Edition sets and current and forthcoming webOS-powered devices.

Amazon and LG are adding push-to-talk Alexa capability to new and existing webOS smart TVs. Once the update goes live, webOS TV owners will simply need to long-press on the Amazon Prime Video button and speak into their TV's Magic Remote microphone to access the range of Alexa capabilities. For example, users can ask Alexa to open apps like YouTube, suggest content from a particular genre, or even control their smart lights. Beyond LG, there is a list of other manufacturers that offer webOS-powered smart TVs that will get this functionality, including Polaroid, RCA, and Skytech. This webOS and Alexa integration will be rolling out via an over-the-air update later this summer into early fall in North America. Other regions like Europe and Asia will follow after that.

Source: Amazon (Image credit: Source: Amazon)

If you happen to be a satisfied owner of one of the best Amazon Fire TV Edition televisions such as the 2020 Toshiba 4K UDH Smart Fire TV with Dolby Vision or the 2020 Insignia 4K UHD Smart TV, your devices now have even more functionality, especially if you or someone in your home is an iOS user. The Verge spotted an announcement by Amazon on its Fire TV blog yesterday detailing the update, which should now be available to owners of those devices.

AirPlay2 is Apple's streaming/casting protocol that lets you send content from your iPhone to other devices like smart TVs and smart speakers, and HomeKit is Apple's robust smart home platform. It's not clear yet if, or when, these Apple-focused features will come to Amazon's own Fire TV Sticks like the Fire TV Stick Lite, or its Fire TV Cube devices, though we'd be surprised if that doesn't happen in the coming months.

webOS and Alexa

LG 43-inch 4K Smart UHD TV

Life's good
LG makes some of the best-looking panels on any TV, and this 4K UHD model is no exception. Plus, you can access Alexa via the included Magic Remote.

Air and Fire

Toshiba 43-inch Smart 4K UHD with Dolby Vision

All-in-one
Toshiba's popular Fire TV Edition offers the ultimate viewing experience at the push of a button. No extra devices to plug in and manage; you can control it all with the included Alexa Smart Remote.

Amazon's Fire TV Cube launches in India to challenge the new Apple TV 4K

Babu Mohan — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 11:29:38 +0000

What you need to know

The second-generation Fire TV Cube has been launched in India.
Amazon's most powerful Fire TV streaming device offers hands-free Alexa access and 4K HDR streaming.
It is now available to purchase in the country for ₹12,999 ($173).

Amazon today launched its second-generation Fire TV Cube in India. The Fire TV Cube is the company's most powerful Fire TV streaming device and happens to be the only one to offer hands-free Alexa access.

The Fire TV Cube can stream up to 4K Ultra HD content with support for Dolby Vision, HLG, HDR10, and HDR10+ standards. It also supports Dolby Atmos audio, just like the Fire TV Stick 4K.

What sets the Fire TV Cube apart from other Fire TV streaming devices is support for hands-free Alexa. The device includes a built-in 1.6-inch speaker, which enables users to interact with the voice assistant even when their TV is off.

Amazon's best Fire TV stick has been priced at ₹12,999 ($173) in India and can now be purchased online from Amazon India. It will also be available at select Croma and Reliance Digital stores across the country very soon.

For a limited period, Amazon is allowing customers to add an HDMI cable to their purchase at no additional cost. Its main rival in the Indian market will be the new Apple TV 4K. Apple's latest streaming device will be available to pre-order in the country from April 30 for a starting price of ₹18,900 ($250).

Amazon Fire TV Cube (2nd Gen)

The Fire TV Cube is Amazon's fastest and most powerful streaming device. It supports up to 4K HDR content and lets you interact with Alexa hands-free, even when your TV is turned off.

₹12,999 at Amazon India

The new Amazon Fire TV experience is rolling out to more devices now

Derrek Lee — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 20:35:00 +0000

Update, Mar 25 (4:30 pm ET): Update starts rolling out today

What you need to know

Amazon is launching its new UI on the Fire TV Stick 4K, Fire TV Cube, and third-gen Fire TV pendant next month.
The new UI brings an updated home screen, a new Find tab, and personalized user profiles.
The update was released in December for the third-generation Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick Lite.

When it comes to the best streaming devices, the Chromecast with Google TV has taken up much of the spotlight since its launch last year. The new Android TV UI brought a more personalized experience with its For You tab, which offered recommendations based on the user's habits and apps. Amazon wasn't sitting on its hands, though, and announced a UI overhaul of its own for its Fire TV platform, which it started rolling out in December to a couple of the best Fire TV sticks. Now, it looks like the update is expanding to more devices starting next month.

Protocol reports that more Fire TV devices will receive the update starting in March, including the Fire TV Cube and Fire TV Stick 4K. The update comes with a new home screen experience with all the user's apps, channels, and watchlist in one place. Scrolling over apps will display a preview of its content, making it easier for users to jump directly into a show or movie from the home screen. There's also a Find tab that lets users easily search for the kinds of content they want with a list of recommended categories.

Source: Amazon (Image credit: Source: Amazon)

A big addition to the update is the personalized user profiles. This allows up to six profiles, each with separate personalized recommendations, viewing history, watchlists, preferred settings, and more. This is a feature that Google TV users have been asking for with not much luck so far besides a new Kids Profile, something Fire TV also has.

While your Fire TV device should automatically check for new updates, you can always expedite the process if you have yet to notice anything. Simply navigate to My Fire TV > About > Check for Updates. The update should be available sometime next month for the Fire TV Stick 4K, and Fire TV Cube, and third-gen Fire TV pendant, with more devices like the best Fire TV edition televisions supported later on.

Update, Mar 25 (4:30 pm ET) ― Amazon announces update rollout for more devices

As expected, Amazon's new Fire TV UI is arriving on more devices. The company announced in a blog post on Monday that its new UI should start rolling out to the following devices: Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen), Fire TV Stick Lite, Fire TV Stick 4K, Fire TV Cube (1st and 2nd Gen), and Fire TV (3rd Gen Pendant Design).

Owners of these devices should check for any updates if they haven't received it yet, but it may take some time before it shows up.

The Fire TV Stick (2nd Gen) and Fire TV Smart TVs will receive the new UI later this year.

Save $20 and control your living room with Amazon's Fire TV Cube

John Levite — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 14:43:34 +0000

Time to take control of your living room, your smart home, and how you consume it all! Amazon's Fire TV Cube is on sale for $99.99. That's $20 off its regular price and the best deal we've seen since Black Friday on the new version. If you want to, you can also get the Fire TV Cube at the same price with a year long susbcription to Food Network Kitchen. That's an extra $40 in savings that might appeal to you if you're interested in cooking along with your favorite chefs, streaming Food Network shows, or following step-by-step cooking tutorials. Whichever one you choose to go with, you're saving plenty.

Not only do you get a media streaming device and access to Alexa, you can also control your soundbar, receiver, and TV. It also comes with an Alexa Voice Remote. The Cube has built-in speakers, a mic, and instant access to Amazon's streaming library.View Deal

The Fire TV Cube combines all the best aspects of Amazon's Echo Dot with the best aspects of Amazon's Fire TV lineup and puts it all in one device. You gain so much control with one simple device. I mean, the primary function is that it has Amazon's Alexa built right in. You can use the Cube to talk to Alexa for simple things like finding out the weather or learning what's new in news. But then you can also control your smart home with your voice. Since the Cube integrates with your TV, you can also view security camera feeds or even answer your video doorbell if it's connected to your network.

Then use the Cube to control the rest of the living room, including your home entertainment system. Control sound bar volume, the A/V receiver, your satellite, or even just change the channel. Access everything a regular Fire TV can access, including all of your favorite streaming apps. Stream TV shows and movies from Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, and more.

You also don't have to worry about your privacy with this device. It includes built-in privacy protections, deep controls you can customize based on your needs, and even a microphone off button that will electronically disconnect the mics when you don't want to use them.

Upgrade your TV viewing with a $40 Amazon Fire TV Cube

Adam Oram — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 11:21:54 +0000

Amazon's Fire TV Cube combines the best features of the Fire TV Stick 4K with the Echo Dot giving you easy access to streaming content from services like Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video using only your voice by asking Alexa.

The Fire TV Cube is Amazon's first-ever hands-free streaming media player with Alexa, and today you can grab one for just $40 via Woot. Offered used, this one-day deal gets you the 1st-gen streaming device for about half the cost of a certified refurbished model.

Not only do you get a media streaming device and access to Alexa, but you can also control your soundbar, receiver, and TV. It also comes with an Alexa Voice Remote. The Cube has built-in speakers, a mic, and access to Amazon's streaming library.View Deal

The deal given is no longer valid and we do not have a better one. However, we have found some similar deals

Ring Video Doorbell Wired with Echo Show 5

$64.99 $139.98 Save $75 1624266233

The Ring Video Doorbell is bundled with Amazon's Echo Show 5 at over 50% off exclusively for Prime Day. You'll be able to see who's at your door using the Ring app on a myriad of devices, including the Echo Show 5.

Fire TV Stick 4K with 'The Disney Bundle'

Limited Time Only 1624261022

Exclusively during Prime Day, Amazon is offering Prime members three free months of 'The Disney Bundle' with the purchase of a new Fire TV Stick or Fire Tablet. The Disney Bundle gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+.

Amazon Prime Video Channels

Limited Time Only 1624126477

Amazon Prime Video lets you add other streaming services as 'channels' to your Prime subscription, and right now select options are down to just $1 per month ahead of Prime Day!

Amazon Echo Devices

Prices Vary 1623665369

Featuring the Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Show 5, Echo Auto, Echo Frames, and more, this sale lets you snap up some Amazon hardware without breaking the bank. These are some of the best prices ever, tough they are just for Prime members.

Amazon Kids+ Family Plan

$0.99 $29.99 Save $29 1622747114

One of the best deals to come to Amazon Kids+ is now available exclusively for Prime members! Your family can score three months of access for only $1 by signing up before Prime Day begins on June 21.

The Fire TV Cube has the ability to unite your living room under one device, including your TV, your A/V receiver, your soundbar, and more all under one roof. Use voice controls for all of it. Then stream all your favorite content in 4K with HDR support via Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and more. You'll even be able to use Alexa to control the rest of your smart home.

When your TV's on, you can access streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, CBS All Access in resolutions up to 4K Ultra HD. It even features a web browser allowing you to visit sites like Facebook, Reddit, and more.

It's worth noting that the model on sale today is the 1st-gen Fire TV Cube from 2018, not the updated 2019 model. It's got a less powerful processor and doesn't support Dolby Vision, but the original model is still a great value and gets you in on both the Fire TV and Echo ecosystems for less. If you're after a brand new device, check out our list of the best Fire TV deals for many more options.

Amazon Fire TV brings customizable local news to more cities across the US

Derrek Lee — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 22:51:15 +0000

What you need to know

Amazon is expanding support for local news to 88 more cities across the United States.
The Fire TV news app will detect the closest metro city and add local stations.
The expansion follows the initial local news rollout in December.

Access to local news has been a big deal after the events that unfolded last year, particularly around COVID-19, police brutality, and the election. Today, Amazon announced that it's expanding its local news offerings to cities across the United States giving owners of the best Amazon Fire TV sticks access to a customizable live news experience straight from the news app. This brings the total supported cities to 88, up from 12 when initial support rolled out this past December.

In addition to the expansion, the news app is also adding support for additional news providers such as CBSN, TEGNA, Cox, The E.W. Scripps Company, and Altice USA, joining the list of already supported providers like ABC News Live, CBS News, Reuters, Black News Channel, and more.

Source: Amazon (Image credit: Source: Amazon)

When users first access the app, it will detect the closest supported city and pull available providers. Users can choose what topics they care about most, and the app will generate a customized playlist based on their selections. And with Amazon Alexa integration on devices like the Amazon Fire TV Stick or Fire TV Stick Lite with the voice remote, users can get watching simply by asking Alexa to play local news.

The list of supported cities includes the following:

Atlanta, GA
Austin, TX
Bakersfield, CA
Baltimore, MD
Beaumont, TX
Billings, MT
Boise, ID
Boston, MA
Buffalo, NY
Butte-Bozeman, MT
Charlotte, NC
Chicago, IL
Cincinnati, OH
Cleveland, OH
College Station, TX
Colorado Springs, CO
Columbia, SC
Columbus, OH
Corpus Christi, TX
Dallas, TX
Davenport, IA
Dayton, OH
Denver, CO
Des Moines, IA
Detroit, MI
Fayetteville, AR
Fresno, CA
Fort Myers, FL
Grand Rapids, MI
Great Falls, MT
Green Bay, WI
Greensboro, NC
Harrisburg, PA
Hartford, CT
Helena, MT
Houston, TX
Huntsville, AL
Indianapolis, IN
Jacksonville, FL
Knoxville, TN
Lafayette, LA
Lansing-Jackson, MI
Las Vegas, NV
Lexington, KY
Little Rock, AR
Los Angeles, CA
Louisville, KY
Macon, GA
Memphis, TN
Miami, FL
Midland, TX
Minneapolis, MN
Missoula, MT
Moosic, PA
Nashville, TN
New Orleans, LA
New York, NY
Norfolk, VA
Omaha, NE
Orlando, FL
Philadelphia, PA
Phoenix, AZ
Pittsburgh, CA
Portland, ME
Portland, OR
Raleigh, NC
Richmond, VA
Sacramento, CA
Salt Lake City, UT
San Angelo, TX
San Antonio, TX
San Diego, CA
San Francisco, CA
Santa Barbara, CA
Seattle, WA
Spokane, WA
St. Louis, MO
Tallahassee, FL
Tampa, FL
Temple, TX
Toledo, OH
Tucson, AZ
Tulsa, OK
Tyler, TX
Waco, TX
Washington, D.C.
West Palm Beach, FL

Can you power an Amazon Fire TV Stick through your TV's USB port?

Andrew Myrick — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 20:00:02 +0000

Best answer: Yes, you can power an Amazon Fire TV Stick with the built-in USB port on your TV. However, that port may not provide enough power for a smooth experience.

You should probably stick with the included wall plug

It's a logical choice. The Amazon Fire TV Stick requires being plugged into both your HDMI port and a USB port for it to work. TV makers have been including USB ports on the back for years, so it would naturally make sense to avoid having to plug something else into your surge protector. However, there's a catch here.

All of the best Amazon Fire TV Sticks require at least 1A of power to be properly powered. This means that if you hook everything up and fire up the Fire TV Stick, an error code is likely to appear suggesting that you plug the USB cable into the included wall plug.

In our experiences, we've been able to continue using the Fire TV Stick even without switching over to the more reliable wall power. The first problem with the included USB cable is that it's just too short, so if you want to use your TV on a tall dresser, then you'll end up finagling your power strip just to accommodate the Fire TV Stick's inadequate cable. There are third-party solutions available, but these are not licensed by Amazon, so if something goes awry, you may be out of luck and out of a Fire TV Stick.

Be wary of software updates

Source: Andrew Myrick / Android Central (Image credit: Source: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

Although your Fire TV Stick will likely work just fine for the most part, if you use the USB port on your TV there is something else to consider. When software updates become available for Fire TV Stick, there's a chance that the Stick itself will need to power cycle throughout the process. But when your TV stops recognizing the signal from the Fire TV Stick, then the TV itself could end up powering off. After all, modern TVs are designed to conserve power and energy when possible.

The problem with this arises when your Fire TV Stick is in the middle of a software update, as the TV turning off would also cut the power to your Fire TV Stick. This could result in a borked streaming device that could end up not working properly after the update is interrupted. It's for this reason that we would recommend using the included 5A wall plug that Amazon includes in the box.

Our pick

Amazon Fire TV Stick

The best Amazon Fire TV Stick for most people
Amazon's "standard" Fire TV Stick provides almost all of the same benefits of the 4K variant, without the higher prices. This is the best way to experience Amazon's streaming services on any TV that you own.

Amazon's Fire TVs are getting a huge update with improvements to Live TV

Michael Allison — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 15:24:26 +0000

What you need to know

Amazon is expanding support for more providers to Fire TV's live channel guide.
It's also now integrating select apps including Plex, IMDB, and XUMO, into the guide.
Finally, users will have a more robust Alexa-experience, including the ability to invoke news channels and programs by name.

Amazon today announced an expansion of providers to Fire TV's Live Channel guide. It's adding more than 400 channels from 20 providers, including YouTube TV, SLING TV, Tubi, and its own services like Prime Video Channels and Prime Video Live events.

The company also announced that it would be integrating IMDB, XUMO, Plex, and the Amazon News app into Fire TV's Live TV channel guide. This means you'll be able to see them in the Live tab, as well as the Universal Channel tab. All of these services but Plex are available now, but even that should be coming soon. Amazon notes that all these services, as well as a substantial number of the additional providers, are free with ads to new customers.

Amazon will also enable Alexa support for all Live TV programs, so you'll be able to use Alexa to navigate channels or even play live TV shows by name with commands as "Alexa, play Good Morning America."

Commenting on the story, VP and PM of Amazon Fire TV, Sandeep Gupta said:

We've always taken a content-forward approach when designing Fire TV. When you turn on your TV, you're going to see shows, movies, and sports — not just rows of apps. This philosophy extends to our approach to live content. We're continuing to invest heavily in Live TV and so are our content partners. We're expanding that today with the addition of new integrations, Alexa capabilities, and enhanced content discovery mechanisms.

Colin Petrie-Norris, CEO at XUMO added:

XUMO's full integration with Fire TV's all-new experience offers a seamless way for users to discover an enormous array of our free, premium programming across multiple genres. Together we are providing the very best entertainment options possible while delivering on XUMO's mission to offer best-in-class content to the most popular devices.

Late last year, Amazon also added support for on-demand local news channels in 12 cities. The company plans to reach 90 additional U.S. cities over the coming year. The company also rolled out a family of new Fire TV Sticks aimed at bringing lowering the cost of entry into the platform.

Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite

Amazon's newest HDMI dongle is its cheapest Fire TV stick ever. At $30, the Fire TV Stick Lite dispenses with the additional TV controls of its mainline counterpart, but it still gets the job done.

$30 at Amazon

Best 4K TV deals: Insignia 70-inch 4K Fire TV Edition on sale for $530 today only!

Alex Smith — Sat, 02 Jan 2021 15:20:27 +0000

With a trip to the movie theater still feeling a bit sketchy and so many hit films coming to streaming services first, now's a better time than ever to improve your home theater setup. Of course, a TV is the most important part and for one day only, Best Buy is offering the Insignia 70-inch LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV Edition TV on sale for $529.99, saving you $120 off its regular cost of $650. This smart TV has only dropped this low during Black Friday and Cyber Monday last year, which means you're snagging its best deal in history — you'll just need to shop soon as the price is set to rise back to normal later tonight. The TV may even sell out early, so don't wait to place your order!

Best Buy is offering $120 off the Insignia 70-inch 4K Smart Fire TV Edition TV for just one day only! This smart TV has the Fire TV Stick built-in and comes with the Alexa Voice Remote so you can use your voice to navigate.View Deal

This 4K UHD smart TV comes with all the features of the Amazon Fire TV stick built-in so you can start watching your favorite streaming services like Netflix or Disney+ without needing to plug in any extra devices. It also comes with a Voice Remote with Alexa that allows you to launch apps, search, control smart home devices and more using your voice.

This model is equipped with three HDMI ports, including one with ARC, along with USB, composite input, antenna/cable input, digital output (optical), Ethernet, and an audio output. Insignia also includes a limited one-year warranty with its purchase. Once you've got an antenna plugged in to receive free TV channels in your area and have subscribed to a few streaming services, you'll hardly miss cable — and you definitely won't miss the monthly bill.

Best Buy offers free shipping on orders totaling $35 or more, or you can select free in-store pickup where available to receive your order even faster. You'll also score three months of Apple TV+ with the purchase.

It's now a lot easier to view your security camera on Fire TV devices

Michael Allison — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 17:05:39 +0000

What you need to know

Select Fire TV devices can now view security camera feeds while watching shows with a new picture-in-picture view.
These include the Fire TV Cube (2nd gen), 2020 4K Toshiba Fire TV Edition, and 2020 4K Insignia Fire TV Edition.
It'll be able to show video feeds from compatible Ring doorbells as well as offerings from Nest, Wyze, and Logitech.

Amazon has updated select Fire TV devices, including the Fire TV Cube (2nd gen), 2020 4K Toshiba Fire TV Edition, and 2020 4K Insignia Fire TV Edition to include a new security feature — picture-in-picture support for security camera feeds.

You'll be able to pull up video feeds from compatible Ring doorbells while watching your TV shows without missing a beat once you've gotten this update enabled.

Amazon explained this change, saying:

For example, if you're watching a show and a visitor presses your Ring doorbell, you will receive a picture video feed in the top right corner of the screen. You can then say, "Alexa, talk to [Ring device name]" to speak with the visitor, or pull-up the camera feed by saying "Alexa, show me [Ring device name]" to expand the video to full screen. Picture-in-picture is currently compatible with Ring doorbell cameras and non-doorbell security cameras from Ring, Nest, Wyze, and Logitech, among others.

This feature is available now if you're using one of those highlighted devices paired with a compatible camera.

This is yet another video-related feature Amazon rolled out to the Fire TV this month. The company earlier rolled out two-way hands-free Alexa video calling to the Fire TV Cube where users could make and receive Alexa video calls from Amazon Fire TV to other Alexa-enabled devices with a screen.

Powerful internals

All-New Fire TV Cube (2019)

It's what's inside that counts
The All-New Fire TV Cube (2019) features some pretty significant internal enhancements to make your streaming experience even better. It also supports key features like Local Voice Control for on-device processing and Dolby Vision support.

Amazon's all new Fire TV experience is now rolling out with user profiles and improved recommendations

Michael Allison — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 15:18:11 +0000

What you need to know

Amazon is now rolling out a new Fire TV experience.
With this update, content discovery should be easier for people using Fire TVs.
Amazon is also adding support for user profiles.
It's coming to the Fire TV and Fire TV Stick Lite over the coming weeks.

Amazon is rolling out its all-new Fire TV experience to the Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick Lite, the company shared today.

The new Fire TV interface is built to be a more personalized content discovery experience. The home screen has been redesigned to allow faster access to in-app content via a new Main Menu. Visible from this new Main Menu, Amazon has also added a new "Find" experience to the Fire TV. If you don't know what to watch, the new Find screen provides easily scrollable categories with recommendations offered across genres and content types.

Finally, you can now have up to six User Profiles on the Fire TV. This way, different people can use the Fire TV without their content preferences polluting the others just like how Netflix does it. It's going to be helpful for people who share with family members who have wildly differing tastes, and probably the most visibly useful part of this update.

If you have the new Fire TV Stick or Fire TV Stick Lite, you should be getting this new interface within the next couple of weeks.

Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite

Amazon's newest HDMI dongle is its cheapest Fire TV stick ever. At $30, the Fire TV Stick Lite dispenses with the additional TV controls of its mainline counterpart, but it still gets the job done.

$30 at Amazon

Upgrade your holiday TV viewing with an Amazon Fire TV Cube down to $40 today only

Adam Oram — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 13:02:00 +0000

Amazon's Fire TV Cube combines the best features of the Fire TV Stick 4K with the Echo Dot giving you easy access to stream content from services like Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video using only your voice by asking Alexa.

The Fire TV Cube is Amazon's first-ever hands-free streaming media player with Alexa, and today you can grab one for just $40 via Woot. Offered used, those one-day deal gets you the streaming device for about half the cost of a certified refurbished model.

The deal given is no longer valid and we do not have a better one. However, we have found some similar deals

Ring Video Doorbell Wired with Echo Show 5

$64.99 $139.98 Save $75 1624266233

Fire TV Stick 4K with 'The Disney Bundle'

Limited Time Only 1624261022

Amazon Prime Video Channels

Limited Time Only 1624126477

Amazon Prime Video lets you add other streaming services as 'channels' to your Prime subscription, and right now select options are down to just $1 per month ahead of Prime Day!

Amazon Echo Devices

Prices Vary 1623665369

Amazon Kids+ Family Plan

$0.99 $29.99 Save $29 1622747114

The Fire TV Cube packs in eight microphones and features far-field voice recognition, allowing it to hear you from any direction. You can ask Alexa to turn on your TV, control the volume, and that's just the beginning. This smart media player's built-in speaker lets you ask to hear the weather, listen to the news, and more while your TV is off. It can control compatible smart home devices too. When your TV's on, you can access streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, CBS All Access in resolutions up to 4K Ultra HD. It even features web browsers allowing you to visit sites like Facebook, Reddit, and more.

Crazy Fire TV Stick Lite Black Friday deal drops the price to an insane $18

Jared DiPane — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 14:03:50 +0000

Black Friday is one week away, and Amazon has officially kicked off its first set of Black Friday Deals Week sales. Unlike during Prime Day deals, Amazon's Black Friday offers include a sizable discount on a bunch of Fire TV Sticks, including the recently-released Fire TV Stick Lite and it's likely to be the Black Friday deal to beat. It normally sells for $29.99 but right now you can grab one for just $17.99, which is insanely cheap for a streaming stick that offers you the features that this one does.

Amazon's Black Friday Deals Week has kicked off with a nice discount on the new Fire TV Stick Lite, and you're going to want to pick one or two of these up for yourself. At just $18, it's going to be hard to beat this deal.View Deal

The Fire TV Stick Lite was just announced back in September and has only been discounted one other time before. Don't let the product name fool you, though, there's nothing "lite" about this offering from Amazon and quite honestly it's the best option for most people. The Fire TV Stick Lite allows Full HD streaming, gives you easy access to your favorite apps like Disney+, Hulu, Sling, HBO Max, YouTube, and much more and even comes with the easy-to-use Alexa Remote.

That's a whole lot of value behind a $18 price tag, and really does make it one of the best Black Friday deals that we've seen so far. Whether you are picking up a new TV for yourself or need a gift idea for some friends, a Fire TV Stick Lite is the way to go. Amazon is also offering a bundle of the Fire TV Stick Lite and 3 months of Amazon Kids+ for $18.98 or the Fire TV Stick Lite and a subscription to Food Network Kitchen for the same $17.99 price. You can also bundle the new Echo Dot and Fire TV Stick Lite for $67.98, which is another great deal.

Be sure to keep your eye out for other Black Friday Fire TV Stick deals but also keep in mind that this will be the most affordable one and the one you won't want to miss.

How to sideload apps on your Amazon Fire TV

Andrew Myrick — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 14:00:03 +0000

While Amazon includes more than 500,000 different apps, there are times where you will want to sideload apps on your Amazon Fire TV. Whether it's because the app isn't available or you're a developer working on an app for yourself, it's surprisingly both easy and complex to get an app sideloaded on your Amazon Fire TV.

Products used in this guide

Great for everyone: Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite ($30 at Amazon)
Middle of the road: Amazon Fire TV Stick (2020) ($40 at Amazon)
All the power: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K ($50 at Amazon)
The app you need: Apps2Fire (Free w/ ads at Google Play)

What to do before being able to sideload apps on your Fire TV

Amazon Fire TV's lineup has some of the best streaming devices on the market, but the truth is there are some apps that just aren't available for download from Amazon. Whether you want to use your phone or your computer to sideload apps on your Amazon Fire TV, there are a few steps that you'll need to take first. These are not all that different from enabling ADB debugging on your Android smartphone, but it's just a bit different since we're doing this from a Fire TV and not a phone.

Turn your Amazon Fire TV Stick on.
Open the Settings app.
Scroll over to My Fire TV.

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)

Scroll down to Developer Options.

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)

Click ADB debugging.
Select On.

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)

Go back.
Click Apps from Unknown Sources.
Select On.

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)

After enabling both ADB debugging and allowing apps to be installed from sources other than the Fire TV Store, you will need one more vital piece of information — the Fire TV's IP address. Here's where you can find that on your Fire TV:

Turn your Amazon Fire TV Stick on.
Open the Settings app.

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)

Navigate to Device.
Select About.

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)

Scroll down and select Network.

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)

Locate IP Address.
Write down the address listed.

How to sideload apps on your Amazon Fire TV

Now that you have your IP address written down, ADB debugging enabled, and allowed the Fire TV to install new apps from "unknown" sources, you're almost ready to go. There's no simple and easy way to just move an app from your phone to the Fire TV. Instead, you'll need to use an application called Apps2Fire to help with the installation.

Open the Google Play Store app on your phone.
Search for Apps2Fire.Source: Android Central

Download the app and wait for the installation to complete.
Open Apps2Fire.Source: Android Central

Tap the three dots in the top right-hand corner.
Select Setup from the drop-down menu.
Enter the IP Address for your Fire TV.
Click Save.Source: Android Central

If this is the first time you're trying to connect Apps2Fire to your Fire TV, then you may see a rejection message. There's no need to fret, as the Fire TV just needs to confirm that you are trying to connect to it. A prompt on the Fire TV will read "Allow USB Debugging" with an RSA key fingerprint number. Select the Always allow from this computer checkbox, and click OK.

Use your Android phone to sideload apps on your Fire TV

With Apps2Fire ready to go, and your Amazon Fire TV all set up to accept the app, it's finally time to sideload some apps from your phone to the Fire TV.

From the Apps2Fire app, tap Local Apps in the top menu bar.
Locate the app you wish to install on your Fire TV.Source: Android Central

Once located, tap on the app.
Tap the Install button.
Wait until the app has finished installing.
Tap OK after the installation is successful.
Open the app on the Fire TV.
Enjoy!

Once completed, you will see the confirmation message appear within the app on your phone. If that message appears, navigate to your App Library on the Fire TV, find the app that you just installed, and fire it up. From here, you can go ahead and login with your credentials and enjoy!

How to sideload apps on your Amazon Fire TV using your computer

If you would rather install or sideload an app to your Amazon Fire TV using your computer instead of your phone, you can do that too! This is a trickier process since it requires the use of either Terminal for macOS users or Command Prompt for Windows users. Nonetheless, you will need to install the Android SDK onto your computer, so that you can sideload applications from your computer to the Fire TV with ease.

For those who don't have the Android SDK already installed, check out this tutorial, whichwalks you through every step of the process.

After you've finished installing Android's SDK Platform Tools on your computer of choice, there are a couple of more steps that need to be taken. First, you'll need to set the PATH variable for ADB to make your PC and Fire TV "communicate".

Here's how you can do that:

Open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac).
WINDOWS: cd C:/Users/yourusername/path/platform-tools
MAC: cd /Users/yourusername/path/platform-tools
Press enter.

Now that you have the directory pointed in the right direction, enter the following command in either Command Prompt or Terminal to connect to your Amazon Fire TV.

adb connect your IP address

Note: On Mac and Linux, you will need to type "./" without quotation marks when typing commands.

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)

Upon successfully being connected, you will see a confirmation message in your terminal app. If this is the first time that you are connecting via ADB to your Fire TV, then you may see a rejection message. The Fire TV just needs to confirm that you are trying to connect to it. A prompt on the Fire TV will read "Allow USB Debugging" with an RSA key fingerprint number. Select the Always allow from this computer checkbox, and click OK.

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)

Enter the command again to connect to the Fire TV's IP address, and press enter. The terminal window will confirm that it has been connected.

Now you're ready to install an app directly to your Fire TV, from your PC, using ADB. With Terminal or Command Prompt still open, type the following command:

adb install path to android app.apk

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)

On Windows, you can drag the APK file from its location and drop it in Command Prompt. This will automatically fill out the path location for you, and then just press Enter. After a few moments, the app will be installed and you can access and open it from the App Library on your Fire TV.

It's important to note that the app icon may not actually be what you expect, and instead, will be a gray icon. The app will still work, but won't have the proper icon attached to it.

Great for everyone

Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite

Getting started with Amazon Fire TV
The Amazon Fire TV Stick is perfect for those who want an entry-level Fire TV Stick and don't care about having 4K video playback. Throw it on an extra TV in the home and see how you like it, or add it to your existing family of Amazon-powered devices.

Middle of the road

Amazon Fire TV Stick (2020)

A good option for some
If you want the processing power of the Fire TV Stick 4K, but don't want the 4K streaming, then the updated Fire TV Stick is the way to go. You'll get the same great features, along with the Alexa Voice Remote to control your TV and streaming device.

All the power

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K

The 4K streaming king
Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K is the best-of-the-best when it comes to streaming devices from Amazon. With 4K HDR streaming, 8GB of storage, a plug-and-play design, and the Alexa Voice Remote, it's tough to find something better.

The app you need

Apps2Fire

A quick and easy way to sideload apps on your Fire TV
Apps2Fire makes it easy for just about anyone to sideload an app from their smartphone to the Amazon Fire TV. The setup process is much easier than trying to do the same task from a PC, and will give you apps that aren't currently available.

You'll now be able to watch Game of Thrones on the Fire TV with HBO Max

Michael Allison — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 17:53:56 +0000

What you need to know

Amazon today announced the availability of HBO Max on its Fire TV platform.
It'll be launching on Tuesday, November 17th.
The existing HBO app on Fire devices will automatically update to HBO Max, and the new app will integrate with Alexa for hands-free controls.

HBO Max is finally coming to the Amazon Fire TV platform, both companies announced today. From November 17th, you'll be able to use the HBO Max app on Amazon Fire-branded devices to stream content ranging from Game of Thrones to the Fresh Prince of Bel Air.

Tony Goncalves, Head of Sales and Distribution for WarnerMedia said in a statement:

We are very excited that Amazon customers will now be able to enjoy the best-in-class content that lives within HBO Max. Our continued goal is to make HBO Max and its unparalleled content available to customers across all the devices they love. Fire TV is a favorite among customers and we look forward to working with the Amazon team to engage and grow our existing subscriber base by showcasing all that HBO Max has to offer.

Marc Whitten, Vice President of Amazon Entertainment Devices and Services added:

We've worked closely with HBO for many years to bring their great content to Fire TV and to make it easier to discover and enjoy with features like search integration, Alexa and personalized recommendations. We are excited to continue that partnership with the launch of HBO Max to bring even more incredible content to customers on Fire TV. Alexa, play Raised by Wolves.

HBO Max will be accessible through the HBO app which will be updated to become a new HBO Max app on the 17th. The new app will allow for existing customers to sign-in and for new customers to sign up. It'll integrate with Alexa at launch so you can use commands such as "Alexa, find romance", "Alexa, find Game of Thrones" or "Alexa, play The Undoing" to navigate HBO content hands-free.

Amazon Fire TV Stick (2020)

Amazon's updated Fire TV stick is twice as fast as last year's model and comes with an updated remote for easier access to TV controls. It still only does 1080p, though.

$40 at Amazon

Where to buy a replacement Fire TV Stick remote

Chris Wedel — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 12:00:02 +0000

Best answer: You can find a replacement remote for your Amazon Fire TV Stick at both Amazon as well as at Best Buy. You'll have all the same functions for controlling your Amazon Fire TV Stick as you did with the remote that came in the box.

Staying in control: Alexa Voice Remote ($30 at Amazon)

Where can you find a replacement Fire TV Stick remote?

Television controllers are one of those things that mysteriously go missing, so knowing where to buy a replacement Fire TV Stick remote is probably a good idea. We're happy to report that Amazon has made it easy to get your hands on a new remote for that lost or broken one that came in the box.

Amazon has made multiple versions of the Amazon Fire TV Stick, but, thankfully, Amazon has made buying a replacement remote worry-free. The latest controller works with not only the 2020 Fire TV Stick but also the first generation. It will even work with the original Fire TV, Fire TV Cube, Amazon Fire TV Edition smart TVs, and all other versions of the Fire TV. You won't have to figure out which Fire TV Stick you have or worry if the remote will operate it.

You can also get one at Best Buy if you'd rather go to an in-person store.

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)

There's a lot to like about the Amazon Fire TV Stick. From its design to the price, it's a great streaming device. To make it even better, it's paired with a good remote with some helpful features of its own. Each time Amazon announces new products it does an excellent job not forgetting about the previous versions. That rings true for the Fire TV remote control too, and even it can get updates from time to time. Adding in new commands as well as Alexa for voice controls helps to make for an overall better Amazon Fire TV experience.

So whether the couch troll stole your Fire TV Stick remote, or it got damaged while you maybe got a bit too excited during the game, you can rest assured that you'll be able to pick up a new remote to handle your streaming needs. All you have to do is set up the new remote and you're back to watching.

You have the power

Alexa Voice Remote

To control you Amazon Fire TV and beyond
The new remote that Amazon has for its Fire TV line-up is its best yet. With Alexa voice actions built-in and buttons to control your soundbar, TV, or audio receiver, it gives you more power over your entertainment than ever before.

Upgrade your TV with this insane Black Friday deal on a Fire TV Stick Lite for just $18

jeramy.johnson@futurenet.com (Jeramy Johnson) — Tue, 03 Nov 2020 20:35:15 +0000

Amazon has already started offering some significant discounts on its own devices in the lead up to Black Friday, including this insane deal for the all-new Fire TV Stick Lite for an all-time low price of $18. Amazon only recently announced the value-priced streaming device at its fall 2020 hardware event, and it's already seen discounts during Prime Day, Alexa's Birthday, and now Black Friday.

One hot deal

Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite

The all-new Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite gets you access to all of your favorite streaming apps, tons of movies and games, and an Alexa voice remote for cheaper than ever.

The Fire TV Stick Lite arrived as the new low-cost, entry-level Fire streaming device, but by no means does that mean it's a subpar experience. It still gives you access to Amazon's easy-to-use Fire TV OS, as well as push-button access to its Alexa voice assistant on the included remote. Like other stick-shaped streaming devices, this plugs directly into the HDMI port on the back of your TV, so it is out of sight and out of mind. This is just about the cheapest and easiest way to make any dumb TV a smart TV.

We like the Fire TV Stick Lite so much that we've even listed it as the best value in streaming sticks, and we expect it to be a big seller during the 2020 holiday season. We're not sure how long this price will be available, so if you're considering picking up a Fire TV or streaming device, you should probably grab one now because it's not likely to be this cheap again.

Amazon Fire TV Cube (2019) vs. Roku Ultra: Which should you buy?

Jeramy Johnson — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 18:00:00 +0000

Amazon Fire TV Cube (2019)

The Fire TV Cube has upgraded internals from last year's device for increased speed and performance. What is particularly great about this device is that it can function as a traditional Echo smart speaker when the TV is off. True multifunctionality!

Amazon Fire TV Cube (2019)

Swiss army box

Hexa-core processor for a faster Fire

New usability features like Local Voice Control

Serves as an Echo speaker when TV is off

Hands-free or voice remote Alexa controls

Some may not like the shape of the box

A little on the expensive side

Roku Ultra (2020)

The Roku Ultra remains one of the best values in streaming devices. In addition to great specs and a svelte design, you get usability enhancements like Lost Remote Finder and a headphone set up in the remote for night/quiet listening.

Roku Ultra (2020)

Streaming super saver

Cheaper than Fire TV Cube

Built-in headphone jack for "night listening"

Lost remote finder

Works with Alexa and Google Assistant

Voice control not as good as Fire TV Cube

You can get a lot of the same features in one of Roku's cheaper sticks

Amazon and Roku are the current kings of streaming TV services and devices, so let's compare two of their top products: the Amazon Fire TV Cube vs. the Roku Ultra to see which is the better option for you. Both offer a range of streaming sticks, streaming boxes, and smart TVs with their operating systems built-in. So which one should you choose for your viewing pleasure? We'll lay out the facts to help you decide.

Amazon Fire TV Cube vs. Roku Ultra: Break it down now...

So, how do these two streamers stack up on paper? Let's look at the specs below.

	Fire TV Cube (2019)	Roku Ultra (2020)
Processor	Hexa-core	Quad-core
Microphones	8 and voice remote	Voice remote only
Picture Quality	4K, UHD, HDR 10+	4K UHD, HDR 10+
Dolby Atmos Audio	Yes	Yes
Dolby Vision	Yes	Yes
Free TV Content	Yes	Yes
Local Voice Control	Yes	No
Alexa Support	Yes	Yes
Google Assistant	No	Yes
Music Streaming through Device	Yes	Only through TV speakers
Pair Multiple for Stereo Sound	Yes	No
Beamforming Microphones	Yes	No
Lost Remote Finder	No	Yes
Headphone Jack on Remote	No	Yes

Amazon Fire TV Cube vs. Roku Ultra: What's great about the Fire TV Cube (2019)?

The Fire TV Cube (2019) remains the only real set-top streaming box in Amazon's arsenal, but it's not any ordinary streamer. One of this product's key selling points is that it combines a top-of-the-line media TV box with what is essentially an Amazon Echo for a sort of two-in-one powerhouse device.

This latest edition features some significant internal upgrades over the previous version, including an enhanced processor with six cores instead of four, Dolby Vision and HDR 10+ video support, and Dolby Atmos audio experience. It has multi-directional infrared and beamforming technology that enables you to control your smart TV experience with Alexa better.

Plus, it can even be used as an Amazon Echo smart speaker when the TV is turned off. Alexa is also enhanced by a new feature called Local Voice Control. Local Voice Control leverages the better processor and microphone array to perform simple or repetitive user interface tasks on-device rather than in the cloud, resulting in a snappier experience.

Amazon's Fire TV devices also excel when it comes to smart home integration. With the All-New Fire TV Cube, you can easily ask Alexa to show your Blink camera's feed of the side yard, or see who is at the door through your Ring Doorbell. You can also enable features like Alexa Guard from your All-New Fire TV Cube, and set up routines and control groups of devices directly through the box.

All Amazon Fire TV devices come with access to a vast library of Prime Video content, as well as access to third-party apps like Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Go. Fire TV devices also get you access to IMDB TV, which features tons of on-demand free content with limited commercial interruption.

Amazon Fire TV Cube vs. Roku Ultra: What's great about the Roku Ultra (2020)?

Source: Phil Nickinson / Android Central (Image credit: Source: Phil Nickinson / Android Central)

The Roku Ultra is the top-of-the-line Roku set-top box. Like Amazon, Roku offers several streaming sticks, boxes, and integrated TV platforms for consumers to choose from.

The most recent edition of the Roku Ultra has caught up to the latest Fire TV Cube has, in just about every respect. It now supports Dolby Vision and HDR 10+, as well as Dolby Atmos and Bluetooth for casting from your phone, though it only has a quad-core processor compared to the Fire TV Cube's octa-core chip. The Roku Ultra does have some nice usability features absent on the Fire TV Cube, like the ability to press a button on the device to locate that remote that fell between the seat cushions. Users can also plug the included headphones into the remote and listen to your program without disturbing others.

Roku remains a fan favorite because of its no-fuss approach to streaming. It offers a ton of great content, much of it free, in a relatively easy-to-navigate and straightforward interface. In addition to the standard third-party apps that everyone has like Netflix and Hulu, you can also watch and purchase Amazon Prime Video content on Roku. Roku also offers a bunch of free and ad-supported content on its Roku Channel, and unlike the Fire TV, Roku carries the new Peacock streaming service from NBC.

Last but definitely not least, the price. The Roku Ultra comes in at nearly $20 cheaper than the Fire TV Cube. That's money that can stay in your pocket, or be used for a couple of movie rentals this weekend!

Note: The 2020 edition of the Roku Ultra is available for pre-order at the time of writing, and will begin shipping to customers in late October.

Amazon Fire TV Cube vs. Roku Ultra: Which should you buy?

Both boxes have great specs, and both platforms have extensive proprietary and shared content catalogs. Both also offer the option to purchase additional "channels" such as HBO, Cinemax, and Starz. As with Android and iOS, the choice here mainly comes down to which ecosystem you are most comfortable in.

If you are heavily invested in the Amazon media ecosystem or take advantage of the Fire TV smart home integrations with products like Ring and Blink, the Fire TV Cube is the best choice. If you are more platform agnostic and don't really care as much about where you get your media from (and you want to save a few bucks), reach for the Roku. Either way, you'll be set up for a great streaming experience.

Does it all

Amazon Fire TV Cube (2019)

Smart TV and smart speaker in one
The Fire TV Cube has great internals and can serve as your smart TV hub and smart speaker. Its microphone array allows Alexa to respond promptly to your every command.

Jack of most trades

Roku Ultra (2020)

Great value in a slim streamer
The Roku Ultra may be the best value in streaming TV boxes. It offers high-end performance with extra features that are sure to make TV watching more pleasurable.

Amazon Fire TV Cube (2019) vs. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K: Which should you buy?

Jeramy Johnson — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 16:00:00 +0000

Fire TV Stick 4K

The Fire TV Stick 4K is arguably the best value in streaming devices. You get 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision, and an Alexa Voice Remote at a compelling price.

Fire TV Stick 4K

Stick to simplicity

Fantastic value with great specs

Hides behind the TV for a clean setup

Comes with Alexa Voice Remote

No hands-free Alexa

Older processor than Cube

All-New Fire TV Cube (2019)

The Fire TV Cube (2019) has upgraded internals from last year's device for increased speed and performance. It also added some key features like Local Voice Control for on-device processing and Dolby Vision support.

All-New Fire TV Cube (2019)

Top-notch specs

New and improved processor

New features like Local Voice Control and Dolby Vision

Available in more countries

Most expensive Fire TV streaming box

External storage support is via OTG cable and micro USB port, no micro SD slot

Amazon makes some of the most popular streaming devices available, and today we're comparing two of its most popular: the Fire TV Cube vs. the Fire Stick 4K. These two feature-rich devices do a lot of the same things but are clearly for different use cases. Which use case will fit your viewing habits?

Amazon Fire TV Cube vs. Fire TV Stick 4K: Side-by-side comparison

There are some pretty noticeable differences between the Fire TV Cube (2019) and the Fire TV Stick 4K, but there are also quite a few areas where there features overlap. Let's take a look.

	All-New Fire TV Cube (2019)	Fire TV Stick 4K
Processor	Hexa-core	Quad-core
Beamforming Microphones	Yes	No
Amazon Alexa	Built-in + Alexa Voice Remote	On Alexa Voice Remote
Picture Quality	4K UHD, HDR 10+	4K UHD, HDR 10+
Dolby Atmos	Yes	Yes
Dolby Vision	Yes	Yes
CEC Control	Yes	No
Local Voice Control	Yes	No
Smart Home Controls	Yes	Yes
Bluetooth	5.0 + LE	5.0 + LE
Internal Speaker	Yes	No
Music Streaming	Yes	Yes
Pair Multiple for Stereo Sound	Yes	No
Storage	16 GB	8 GB
RAM	2 GB	1.5 GB

The Fire TV Cube (2019) has more storage, memory, and a faster processor than the Fire TV Stick 4K, plus an Echo experience with hands-free voice control. Will those differences be enough to sway you from one to the other?

Amazon Fire TV Cube vs. Fire TV Stick 4K: Which Fire TV streamer should you get?

As you would expect, the larger Fire TV Cube (2019) has better specs than the smaller and older Fire TV Stick 4K. It also should come as no surprise that these updated specs allow for an enhanced Alexa experience. For example, the Cube has something called Local Voice Control, which takes advantage of a new processor to handle an increasing number of simple requests on-device (like navigating the Fire TV interface).

Its eight far-field microphones have been improved to hear your voice commands better when the TV is in use (rather than being drowned out by the TV speakers). It can be used as a stand-alone Echo device to control your smart home, it can be paired with other Echos for a multi-room speaker system, and you can speak to it without needing to use your remote: All-in-all, a pretty useful streaming box.

However, as Android Central's Phil Nickinson pointed on the AC podcast, the smaller stick has several things going for it that we think should convince you to choose it over the more premium Cube.

For starters, the Fire TV Stick 4K is a less-conspicuous device that you can tuck behind your TV and forget it is even there for that uncluttered, minimalist look. Additionally (and most importantly), the Fire TV Stick 4K is cheap. For less than half the price of the All-New Fire TV Cube (2019), you get almost all of the same high-end specs, plus a chunk of change to spare. With that savings, you can easily pick up an Echo Dot (4th Gen) for hands-free Alexa support and TV control, and still have money left over to subscribe to a few Amazon Channels or rent or buy some TV shows and movies on Prime Video. That's what we'd call a value Alexa device!

Stick to this one

Fire TV Stick 4K

All you need and nothing you don't
The Fire TV Stick 4K offers most of what you can get on the more premium Fire TV Cube at nearly a third of the price.

Updated internals

All-New Fire TV Cube (2019)

It's what's inside that counts
The All-New Fire TV Cube (2019) features some pretty significant internal enhancements to make your streaming experience even better.

Amazon's new Fire TV Stick and TV Stick Lite are faster and have remotes you won't hate

Michael Allison — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 18:10:02 +0000

What you need to know

Two new Amazon Fire TV Sticks just broke cover at Amazon's big summer hardware event.
The first new device, the all-new Amazon Fire TV brings HDR compatibility and Dolby Atmos for $39.99.
Amazon is also bringing a Fire TV Stick Lite for $29.99.

Amazon today announced the all-new Fire TV, a new Amazon Fire TV Stick that Amazon says is a more powerful device than the older one. Specifically, it'll be 50% more powerful with Full HD streaming and HDR compatibility. There's also Dolby Atmos support for a nicer audio experience. It'll ship with Amazon's Alexa Remote with dedicated hardware buttons for key hardware functions. Amazon will price this device at $39.99 and release it "later this month."

If you'd like something cheaper, Amazon also launched the new Fire TV Stick Lite. It's still 50% more powerful than the older Fire TV Stick, and you'll find the same full-HD streaming support with HDR, but there's no Dolby Atmos support. It'll set you back $29.99 and start shipping "later this month." It'll ship with the Alexa Voice Remote Lite. Tying into Amazon's new environmentally friendly initiatives, these new products will consume 50% less power than the older Fire TV Sticks.

Source: Amazon (Image credit: Source: Amazon)

Amazon also announced a new Fire TV experience coming to devices later this year. It says it'll be a more personalized experience with support for up to 6 discrete profiles and a focus on Alexa for navigation.

The retail giant isn't the only large company to be releasing revamped streaming sticks this fall. Xiaomi just about launched a new Mi TV Stick last month, and Google is expected to be launching a new Chromecast with Google TV at next week's streaming event. No matter what brand you'd rather have, there's sure to be lots of options in the months ahead.

Here's everything Amazon announced during its September 2020 hardware event

Amazon Fire TV Stick (2020)

Amazon's updated Fire TV stick is twice as fast as last year's model and comes with an updated remote for easier access to TV controls. It still only does 1080p, though.

$40 at Amazon

Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite

Amazon's newest HDMI dongle is its cheapest Fire TV stick ever. At $30, the Fire TV Stick Lite dispenses with the additional TV controls of its mainline counterpart, but it still gets the job done.

$30 at Amazon