Amazon has updated its Fire TV Stick streaming device and launched new, lower cost model that’s designed to compete against entry-level devices such as the Roku Express and Google’s Chromecast.
The company has also redesigned the interface for its Alexa-based smart TV platform, adding support for video calls and other new features.
First up is the new Fire TV Stick Lite (pictured), which will be Amazon’s cheapest streaming device, priced at just £30 when it goes on sale in the U.K. later this year. The Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite provides access to thousands of apps and games and also comes with a voice remote so users can talk to Alexa and ask it to browse through TV shows and control other smart home gadgets. The Fire TV Stick Lite can also be paired with an Amazon Echo speaker, Amazon said.
Meanwhile the regular Amazon Fire TV Stick, which costs £40, has also been updated. It comes with a more superior remote control that comes with volume, mute and power buttons that work with just about any TV, and also adds Dolby Atmos surround sound capabilities.
The new sticks only provide regular HD resolution, as 4K is reserved for the existing Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K model, which hasn’t received an update. They do however support High Dynamic Range formats that enable superior picture quality with better contrast and colour.
As for the Fire Stick TV interface, this now offers a more personalised home page that brings each user’s favourite content and apps to the fore. It also supports up to six user profiles per household, which means each one will see personalised recommendations tailored to their own interests. Navigation has been simplified too with a redesigned menu that Amazon says will make it easier to find more interesting content. There’s also a new section in the menu called Alexa Explore that provides access to things such as recipes, stock reports and news.
But the biggest change is that Amazon is making Fire TV a communications platform. The interface is getting a new feature called Video Calling with Fire TV that makes it possible to make video calls to friends and family via the TV. In order to use the service, you’ll need to connect a Logitech USB webcam to your Fire TV Cube, which enables two-way video calling via Alexa.
Amazon said it will also add support for Zoom video calls at a later date, but it isn't clear when this will happen.
