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Amazon to host April 2 event in NYC -- video streaming device likely

Amazon has sent out invites to a press event announcing a "new update to our video business." Many are expecting the company to announce a new streaming-media device along the lines of Chromecast, Roku, and Apple TV.

David Carnoy Executive Editor / Reviews
Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET's Reviews team since 2000. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio products, including headphones and speakers. He's also an e-reader and e-publishing expert as well as the author of the novels Knife Music, The Big Exit and Lucidity. All the titles are available as Kindle, iBooks, Nook e-books and audiobooks.
Expertise Mobile accessories and portable audio, including headphones, earbuds and speakers Credentials
  • Maggie Award for Best Regularly Featured Web Column/Consumer
David Carnoy

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For months, Amazon has been rumored to have a video set-top box in the works to rival the Google Chromecast, Roku, and Apple TV. Well, we may finally get to see it on April 2, as the company has sent out a press invite for an event in New York, where it will discuss "an update to our video business."

At many of Amazon's larger press events, CEO Jeff Bezos delivers the presentation, but in this case it appears that Peter Larsen, a vice president in Amazon's Kindle division, will do the honors.

At this point, it's unclear what exactly the new device is, though rumors suggest that it will be shaped like a dongle -- similar to Google's Chromecast and Roku's new Streaming Stick -- and be very affordable, with a possible discount for Amazon Prime members.

Earlier this month, reports circulated that Amazon's set-top box would come with a variety of apps from other companies for streaming music, movies, and games, along with access to the company's own Video on Demand store and Instant Video service.