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Amazon vs. Roku: Which $70 4K streaming device is best?
Streaming video boxes just aren't very exciting anymore. There, I said it. The Apple TV 4K was mostly intriguing because it dramatically lowered the price of 4K content. But most consumers don't need an expensive streaming box, since most TVs today have a decent selection of built-in apps. That's why I find cheaper portable video gadgets, like last year's Roku Stick, to be far more interesting. Now we've got two new contenders for $70: Amazon's new Fire TV, which looks more like a Chromecast dongle than a set-top box, and Roku's Streaming Stick+. Both devices support 4K HDR video and give you access to all of the streaming apps you could want. Plus they integrate voice searching in useful ways. But, of course, there are some major differences between them. And it turns out, picking a winner isn't very easy.
Amazon's new Fire TV supports picture-in-picture and recording
Amazon is mainly selling the new Fire TV's hardware-dependent features, such as 4K HDR video and Dolby Atmos sound, but there are some key software improvements, too. The online shopping giant has revealed that the device's Fire OS 6 underpinnings run on Android Nougat, enabling app features specific to Google's not-quite-latest platform. You can play picture-in-picture video within apps, so you don't have to disrupt your show while you check settings. There's a framework for time-shifting to pause and rewind live video. And apps can record content, including scheduling that can grab content automatically. This doesn't mean that you'll be ripping video from your favorite streaming service, but it does make it relatively easy for Fire TV apps to include DVR-like functions or capture epic game sessions. Just don't expect these features to reach your older hardware.
Every new Echo announced today -- and a Fire TV
If you hadn't noticed, Amazon introduced a lot of devices at its Alexa-themed event -- so many that keeping tabs on them all could be a challenge in itself. Thankfully, you don't have to sweat it. We've rounded up all the new Alexa-powered hardware in one place, ranging from the next generation of the standard Echo speaker to the Fire TV and the cute-as-a-button Echo Spot. If you've been thinking of snagging Amazon gear going into the holidays, you'll hopefully have a better sense of what's on offer.
Amazon brings voice control to Hulu and other video apps on Fire TV
You can already use Alexa voice commands to steer some video playback on a Fire TV, but Amazon is about to throw the doors wide open. It just unveiled a slew of partners that will use the Video Skills Kit to add Alexa support to their video apps, and these are definitely companies you'll recognize: Hulu, PlayStation Vue, CBS All Access, Bravo, Showtime and multiple NBC apps will all take spoken playback commands. You might not have to lift a finger to skip backwards in The Handmaid's Tale or switch live channels in Vue.
Amazon's new Fire TV is a 4K-capable, Chromecast-style dongle
One of our complaints with last year's Fire TV stick is that there was no 4K support. Fortunately, Amazon now has an answer for that. Say hello to the new Fire TV, a dongle-based competitor to Google's Chromecast Ultra. It has 4K HDR video at 60 frames per second and all of the features of Fire TV as before. Audio is also getting a big upgrade, as it now supports Dolby Atmos sound.
Television with built-in Fire TV makes better use of your voice
One of the Element Fire TV Edition set's main hooks is clearly its Alexa voice control, so it stands to reason that the entire television stands to benefit the more you can use it, doesn't it? Sure enough, Element is trotting out an update that makes better use of voice recognition. You can enter text into fields using your voice instead of the keyboard, which could take a lot of the pain out of filling out forms and certain search boxes. Also, you can rename inputs to more familiar terms and use Alexa to switch to them -- you can specify that you're jumping to your PS4 instead of "HDMI2."
Amazon's next Fire TV may double as an Echo speaker
It's been a long time since Amazon updated its Fire TV hardware, but it looks like an upgrade could be right around the corner... and to no one's surprise, Amazon may be capitalizing on the popularity of the Echo. AFTVNews claims to have leaked info for two upcoming Fire TV devices, one of which (on the right) is reportedly a cross between a Fire TV and an Echo Dot. The cube-shaped device would have the audio controls, activity light, far-field microphones and speaker you'd need for hands-free Alexa support, letting you shout commands across the room even when the TV is off. No more reaching for the remote, folks. It would also handle 4K HDR video at a smooth 60 frames per second, and would have control over your home theater gear as you do with existing high-end Fire TV models.
The CW's free Seed app is now streaming on Amazon Fire TV devices
The CW has just launched its CW Seed app for Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Edition television. The app doesn't require a subscription, there are no added fees and you don't need a cable service provider in order to access its shows. However, you will have to sit through ads and the app doesn't have any currently running series.
Amazon adds live home camera feeds to Fire TV's bag of tricks
It seems like every day brings a new announcement for Alexa and Amazon-branded devices, and this day is no different. Today, the online retail giant announced that soon you'll be able to view your live home camera feeds through the Fire TV and second gen Fire TV sticks. Compatible camera systems include Ring, Arlo, Nest, EZVIZ, Vivint Smart Home, Amcrest, Logitech and August.
Any Alexa device can control your Fire TV
You'd think that Amazon would have made it possible to control a Fire TV from external Alexa devices as soon as it was an option, but no -- you've had to use the Fire TV itself if you wanted to play a video using your voice. At last, though, sense has prevailed. Amazon has updated all versions of the Fire TV and Fire TV Stick to add support for voice control from another Alexa-enabled device. If you want to skip to the next episode of a show, you can talk to your Echo or smartphone instead of scrounging for the Fire TV's remote.
Facebook is bringing gaming videos to the living room
Facebook is determined to become a destination for gaming videos, and that includes when you're lounging on the couch. It's adding a dedicated gaming tab to its TV app that will highlight videos from the games, developers, eSports teams and personalities you like on Facebook. If you want to catch a tournament highlight or a new game trailer, you won't have to pull out your phone or leave the living room.
Ask Alexa to play your favorite shows on a Dish Hopper DVR
If you're a Dish subscriber, it just got ridiculously easy to control your TV. The satellite provider has introduced an Alexa skill that lets control any Hopper DVR or Wally using an Amazon Echo. You can ask the set-top box to tune into a specific channel, search for shows (including on Netflix) or directly control playback without touching a thing -- you just need your voice. You can't record shows, alas, but this could be worthwhile if you want to change channels from the kitchen.
The first television with Amazon Fire TV built in is just fine
Sure, you can get a Fire TV stick with an Alexa remote and plug it into your existing television set to make it smart. But that setup can't pull in streams from all the devices you have connected, like your PlayStation, antenna and whatever else you have stuck in your HDMI ports. Nor can it integrate all those inputs seamlessly into the OS. But if a central hub for all of your streaming content is important to you, and if you have money just laying around, consider the new Element Fire TV Edition. It's the first television with Fire TV OS built in, thanks to a collaboration between Amazon and TV maker Element. Starting at $449 for a 43-inch version, the Edition adds a few conveniences to the existing interface that you won't get with only the stick.
Amazon's Fire TV Stick with Alexa remote hits the UK for £40
At long last, Amazon is selling its new Fire TV Stick in the UK. The cheap media streamer, which comes with an Alexa-enabled voice remote, first debuted in the US last October. As you would expect, the hardware lets you search for movies and TV shows, launch apps and control playback. Like the Echo, however, Alexa can also be used for a number of "skills," such as asking for the weather or dimming your smart lights. The stick itself has also been upgraded with a new processor, making it 30 percent faster than the previous model, and supports the speedy 802.11ac WiFi protocol.
Amazon's Fire TV Stick with Alexa is hitting the UK for £40
The latest iteration of Amazon's Fire TV Stick, first launched in the US last October, is finally UK-bound. While the little streaming dongle still won't admit 4K is a thing, it boasts a quad-core processor that Amazon says makes it 30 percent faster than the previous generation of Fire TV Stick. Navigating around the new "cinematic" Fire UI should be pretty slick, then. The £40 steamer also supports the speedy 802.11ac WiFi protocol, but the biggest upgrade has to be the snazzy new Alexa remote.
Apple hires a new boss to revamp Apple TV's image
For further evidence that Apple is looking to revamp its TV strategy, I present exhibit A: the hiring of Timothy D. Twerdahl, previously head of Amazon's Fire TV division. A report from Bloomberg says that Twerdahl will be the new vice president running Apple TV's marketing wing. Whether that means there will be a different approach to how Apple tries selling the gizmo, or something else entirely remains to be seen. Something tells me Apple isn't going to hire Gary Busey for its ads anytime soon, though.
Amazon Fire TV Edition televisions put its box in the big screen
Earlier today Amazon announced that Seiki, Element Electronics and Westinghouse will sell TVs with its Fire TV experience built in, and tonight we got to see them in action. As promised, the televisions pack the latest version of the Fire TV software, with Alexa voice commands plus the usual apps and tweaks. What they add to it are wrinkles needed for TVs, plus the convenience of not having to switch inputs all the time.
Amazon Fire TV is now built into 4K sets
You won't have to buy a separate Fire TV device to use Amazon's full services on your TV. Seiki, Westinghouse and Element Electronics are launching a series of 4K sets with Fire TV technology built in. They all include Amazon's current interface, including a wide range of Alexa voice commands, thanks to a microphone-equipped remote. If you use an over-the-air TV antenna, you'll have access to both a channel guide and favorite individual channels on the home screen.
Amazon's new look for Fire TV is rolling out now
When Amazon started shipping its latest Fire TV Stick with Alexa voice controls built in, the company also mentioned that a refreshed look was on the way for its streaming devices. Well, Amazon tells TechCrunch that update is starting to roll out today. If you have a Fire TV or Fire TV Stick, you'll soon notice that "cinematic experience" the company promised which includes more trailers and screenshots from movies and shows.
Alexa orders delivery from Pizza Hut on Amazon devices
Pizza Hut recently debuted a chatbot to help you with a delivery order, but the restaurant chain is putting Amazon's virtual assistant to work for the same task. Alexa's newest skill includes the ability to order your pizza via voice integration on the Echo, Echo Dot, Fire TV and Fire tablets. While the menu options for placing an order from scratch are a bit limited, Alexa can access your favorite items and past orders as well.
