Online retailer Amazon, on Monday, launched its new streaming media device dubbed ‘Amazon Fire TV Stick’ to take on Google’s Chromecast, Apple’s Apple TV, Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter and the Roku Streaming Stick.
Claimed to be “the most powerful streaming media stick,” the $39 Fire TV Stick plugs directly into a TV set’s HDMI port to stream content and play video games. Powered by a dual-core processor, the new streaming device features 1GB of RAM, 8GB of built-in storage, and dual-band/dual-antenna MIMO Wi-Fi.
Users will be able to control the device using a remote control, a smartphone, or voice control through an app. Amazon claims that the new Fire TV Stick offers 50 percent more processing power than Google’s Chromecast, along with double the memory and 32 times more storage.
According to Amazon the new device will let users access Amazon’s own video-on-demand and music services and third party apps including Netflix, Prime Instant Video, Hulu Plus, WatchESPN, NBA Game Time, Twitch, SHOWTIME ANYTIME, Prime Music, Spotify, Pandora, Vevo, Plex, A&E, PBS, PBS KIDS, WATCH Disney Channel, YouTube.com and more.
The Fire Stick also features the “Fling” technology, which will let users switch between viewing content on their televisions and Fire Phone or Fire tablet, as well as wireless mirroring from both compatible Amazon products and those that support Miracast.
Priced at $39, the new Fire Stick will sell in the US alongside Amazon’s Fire TV streaming set-top box which retails for $99 in the US and £79 in the UK. New and existing Amazon Prime members will however be able to purchase the device at a discounted price of $19 until Wednesday.
Amazon Fire TV Stick is now available for preorder and will begin shipping in the US starting November 19. There’s no word on the device’s UK launch yet.
