Amazon Fire TV: Great for Amazon addicts but too pushy for everyone else
[MUSIC]
This is the new Amazon Fire TV box.
Amazon video streamer is designed to compete against devices like Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, and even your smart TV.
Unlike those devices, its main focus is on delivering Amazon's own streaming content.
Sure it has apps for Netflix, Hulu, and many others but Amazon TV shows and movies take center stage.
But let's start with the hardware.
The box is slim and tiny, designed to hide in your A/V system.
It has an HDMI output and Ethernet jack, and of course supports the latest 802.11ac wi-fi standard.
The new version drops the optical port but adds an SD card slot for expandable storage.
It also has a more powerful processor, although I didn't realize any real-world improvement in response times, which were excellent.
The remote is small and sleek too, and is the main way you'll talk to the new Fire TV.
Press this button and the Fire TV starts listening.
New for this year is Alexa, a voice assistant that replies to your commands and questions, much like Siri on Apple's iPhones.
Here's a taste.
Alexa, what's the weather?
In New York, it's 60 degrees with clear skies and sun.
Today, you can look for partly sunny weather with a high of 69 and a low of 50.
[NOISE]
Add a baby monitor to my shopping list.
I added baby monitor to your shopping list.
When is the Mets game tonight?
The Mets will play tonight at 8:07 PM against the Cubs.
[UNKNOWN] is a cool feature but not as useful on a device like this as an ability to search for TV shows and movies.
Voice search works well on Fire TV, but the results favor Amazon content.
That's fine if you only subscribe to Prime, but if you subscribe to other services too, like Netflix, Hulu Plus, HBO Go, or others.
[INAUDIBLE] Chromecast has better search.
And you can see here most of the categories here on the main interface goes to Amazon content despite the fact that Fire TV supports 3000 other apps and games.
Speaking of games, Fire TV is also available in a gaming edition.
It trades the standard remote for a game controller, a 32 gig SD card and a couple of free games.
If you're really into the kinda casual games Amazon offers, most of which were originally designed to play on phones, it might be worth the extra money.
Both versions on your FireTV box support 4K video too, from Netflix and Amazon currently.
With more 4K apps like YouTube coming soon.
4K video looks very good on our test but not that much better than Amazon's regular [UNKNOWN] streams.
And of course, most 4K TVs have streaming apps of their own, built in.
All told the new Fire TV has some decent improvements over the old version, but unless your primary streaming source is Amazon Prime, its not as good as the alternatives.
I'm David Katzmeyer for CNET.
[MUSIC]
Up Next
Roku vs. Chromecast vs. Apple TV 4K: What's the Best Streaming Device?
Up Next
Roku vs. Chromecast vs. Apple TV 4K: What's the Best Streaming Device?
Best Streaming Devices of 2022
Best Streaming Devices of 2022
Best Rokus for 2022
Best Rokus for 2022
Apple TV 4K (2022) Review: An Excellent Streamer That's Still Too Expensive
Apple TV 4K (2022) Review: An Excellent Streamer That's Still Too Expensive
7 Tips to Get More Out of Your Roku TV
7 Tips to Get More Out of Your Roku TV
Which Roku Is the Go-To? We Break It Down
Which Roku Is the Go-To? We Break It Down
Roku Voice Remote Pro review: 'Hey Roku' only goes so far
Roku Voice Remote Pro review: 'Hey Roku' only goes so far
Roku Remote Pro: Rechargeable battery, 'Hey Roku' voice and more for $30
Roku Remote Pro: Rechargeable battery, 'Hey Roku' voice and more for $30
Apple reveals the HomePod Mini
Apple reveals the HomePod Mini
Chromecast with Google TV wants to help you find what to watch
Chromecast with Google TV wants to help you find what to watch
Tech Shows
Latest News All latest news
Apple May Give FineWoven Accessories 1 More Season
Apple May Give FineWoven Accessories 1 More Season
US vs. TikTok: What Happens Next
US vs. TikTok: What Happens Next
Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
What to Expect at Apple's May 7 iPad Event
What to Expect at Apple's May 7 iPad Event
Did a Week With the Apple Watch Make Me Use My iPhone Less?
Did a Week With the Apple Watch Make Me Use My iPhone Less?
How Google Tests the Cameras in Its Pixel Phones
How Google Tests the Cameras in Its Pixel Phones
Most Popular All most popular
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Latest Products All latest products
Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
2025 Audi Q6, SQ6 E-Tron: Audi's Newest EV Is Its Most Compelling
2025 Audi Q6, SQ6 E-Tron: Audi's Newest EV Is Its Most Compelling
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
Latest How To All how to videos
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro