As Apple continues to rest on its laurels, despite trailing the pack, Amazon is prepping an all-new Fire TV that mates their well-regarded video streamer to full-featured Alexa voice control. Like the Amazon Echo Dot, the incoming flagship Fire TV will incorporate a far-field microphone array, for always-listening capabilities, along with speaker output and the possibly iconic lightbar. Beyond the merged functionality you might expect, the new Fire TV seems likely to pick up a few Logitech Harmony Hub-esque remote control tricks given the included IR blasters… with hopefully a better reception than seen from the Xbox One. While timing and pricing remain uncertain, I’m willing to bet this tricked out 4K HDR 60fps digital media adapter will likely clock in lower than Apple’s $149 1080p aTV.
“I’m willing to bet this tricked out 4K HDR 60fps digital media adapter will likely clock in lower than Apple’s $149 1080p aTV.”
Shouldn’t we compare the price to the 4K $179 Apple TV for Dummies?
Also, the Apple form factor is more aerodynamic than the Amazon. Think of the gas mileage savings.
(I know we’re all making fun at Apple’s utter incompetence in the space, but folks seem to forget that when you buy that Apple box, you’ll get access to the One. Billion. Dollars. in content Apple is planning on spending for this year. Of course, Netflix is spending $6.5B, and Amazon Prime is spending $4.5B. But there’s AirPlay! And don’t forget that when you buy an Apple TV, you’re helping to fund their weird new spaceship that masquerades as a office building until it takes off.)
Not a fan of the new shape. Can’t we just have the a Fire TV2 with the better video (4K, HDR)?
We already have a Fire TV 2… that’s the one with 4K. So this cube is effectively the 3+ whereas a square dongle will serve as the 3 Lite. It’ll include the HDR.
Sorry, I was referring to the form factor. I’m not a fan of strangely shaped AV equipment (i.e. not a rectangle(I’m looking at you Slingbox 500)).
“Sorry, I was referring to the form factor.”
Yup. Aerodynamics. Gotta think of the gas mileage savings.
The original Fire TV was velcro-ed to the back of my plasma. So the incoming square dongle (sqongle) Fire TV 3 Lite (whatever it ends up being called) will fit right into my configuration!
“The original Fire TV was velcro-ed to the back of my plasma. So the incoming square dongle (sqongle) Fire TV 3 Lite (whatever it ends up being called) will fit right into my configuration!”
OMFG. Velcro-ing a box to your TV produces the absolute worst aerodynamics.
I’m beginning to get the sense you folks aren’t taking my gas mileage concerns seriously…
Amazon is willing to sell hardware on very thin profit margins, so of course it will be less. Form factor is interesting just sit it next to your Tivo Bolt on a shelf. Ooops, I forgot Bolt is a “four letter word” to many,
I wonder what sequence of button pushing opens the box. “You opened the box we came”
Best money i have spent on tv in years. Some software could be improved in some small spots but nothing major, fast forward is different on the different channels and apps is my only major complaint, but even then it is just as good or better than most smart systems while streaming. The two included games aren’t half bad after you download them.
Shovel knight looked stupid, yet was highly addictive with a straight nod to pretty much every game of the 80’s. Now I love it, duck tales was an ok kids game. The system is fast and the controller is great just as good as any game system with wireless, I love this box and will be buying more for every tv in the house. We took it on a trip for the kids and even with really CRAP Wi-Fi speed at the resort, the unit took a minute to load graphics, so we started a video to see if the horrible internet would stream(which it wouldn’t on my laptop) it started bad but after abouy 3 to 5 minutes the videos all bumped up to high def with no pause for buffering.