Amazon's new Fire TV set-top box is now finally official after months of leaks and rumors, boasting some neat features and functionality.
The new set-top box from Amazon is based on the latest Fire OS platform codenamed "Mojito" and it includes voice search that "actually works," touts the company. According to Amazon, this functionality allows users to simply utter the name of a TV show, movie, actor, genre, or director into the remote, and the Fire TV will comply.
Amazon Fire TV Specs
The new Fire TV set-top box packs a quad-core processor, a dedicated Adreno 320 graphics engine, and 2GB of RAM for a fast and responsive performance. The device supports dual-band Wi-Fi, full HD 1080p streaming, and both HDMI and optical audio-out for up to 7.1 Dolby Digital Plus surround sound. The gadget is just 0.7 inches thin.
Fire TV Apps
Netflix, Hulu Plus, WatchESPN, and YouTube are just some of the video apps that are already available on the new Amazon Fire TV. Moreover, the set-top box also ships with Amazon's Instant Video client, which allows users to access the company's impressive library of more than 200,000 movies and TV episodes. For audiophiles, Fire TV also comes with Pandora, iHeartRadio, Tunein, Amazon MP3, and others.
"Amazon Fire TV is a tiny box that connects your HDTV to a world of online entertainment," touts Amazon. "With a huge selection of TV episodes and movies, voice search that actually works, plus exclusive features like ASAP and Amazon FreeTime, it's the easiest way to enjoy Netflix, Prime Instant Video, Hulu Plus, low-cost movie rentals, live and on demand sports, music, photos, games, and more."
According to the company, the Fire TV comes automatically pre-registered, which means that users can get started immediately with no hassle. Instead of a complicated set-up, Fire TV allows users to start watching as soon as they plug it in. Furthermore, Fire TV will also have ready all your previously-purchased movies and TV shows from Amazon, as well as your watchlist and recommendations.
Advanced Streaming Prediction
With its new Fire TV set-top-box, Amazon has also introduced a new service it calls Advanced Streaming and Prediction (ASAP). This feature will take into account the user's Watchlist and recommendations and predict what to watch next, preloading the content for playback without requiring the customer to wait on buffering. As usual with predictive features, the functionality will improve over time, as it learns the user's habits.
TV Fling
The TV Fling service available on the new Fire TV allows users to 'fling' content from a smartphone or tablet to the set-top box, in a similar manner to Google's popular Chromecast.
Gaming on your HDTV
Amazon's set-top box also comes with games that are specifically optimized for Fire TV, including Minecraft, The Game of Life, Monsters University, The Walking Dead, NBA2K14, Riptide GP2, Asphalt 8, Despicable Me: Minion Rush, and more. According to Amazon, over 100 games are already available and "thousands" more will arrive next month. A Fire TV app, meanwhile, will turn smartphones and tablets into touch-based controllers. Amazon is also offering a Fire Game Controller, which is available separately for $39.99.
"Enjoy many games with the included remote or take your gaming to the next level with the new Amazon Fire Game Controller - a dedicated wireless game controller designed to take you deeper into the action. With all the controls a gamer would expect, including dual analog sticks, media controls, and lighted player indicators, it's the best way to enjoy gaming on Amazon Fire TV."
The Bluetooth controller requires two AA batteries, which will provide up to 55 hours of gameplay, and can also be used as a remote control.
Fire TV vs. Apple TV vs. Google Chromecast vs. Roku
Amazon further makes a quick comparison to show how its new Fire TV is better than popular rival offerings such as Roku, Apple TV, or Google Chromecast. The main advantages Fire TV boasts over its competitors lie in the processing and RAM departments. Amazon's set-top box packs a quad-core processor, compared to Roku's dual-core processor and the single-core processing power of the Apple TV or Google's Chromecast. Fire TV is also the winner when it comes to system memory, boasting 2GB of RAM while its rivals come with just 512MB each. Amazon's device also has the largest number of popular services available, as well as the most games.
Amazon Fire TV Pricing & Availability
The new Fire TV costs $99, the same listing price as the Apple TV and Roku, according to Amazon. The set-top-box is available for purchase now.
