Fire TV Devices Are a Hit With 30 Million Active Users
Amazon is on a roll. After successfully heralding the dawn of smart home speakers with Alexa, the online behemoth hits its stride again with the Amazon Fire TV.
Users are resonating positively, too. Not only do they have Alexa’s intelligence at their disposal, but they also have the motherlode of all streaming content at their fingertips. Considering that there are 30 million active Amazon Fire TV users, you realize that the cord-cutting movement is truly in full effect.
To truly appreciate the 30 million active install base, we need to look back at how the Amazon Fire TV started. These streaming devices never started as the perfect choice, but through trial and error, they slowly improved. From set-top boxes to small, pocket-sized sticks, here’s a look at the evolution of the Fire TV products.
Amazon Fire TV
Technically, Amazon’s little streaming box wasn’t the first to enter the market. Roku, Chromecast, and Apple TV were already ruling the landscape.
So, Amazon stuck to what it knew best: Prime Video. Amazon Fire TV provided a convenient way to browse and play the Prime Video library on a TV. Measuring 4.5 inches and weighing 9.9 ounces, this device started the chain of success for the company. Being able to stream content from other subscription programs was icing on the cake.
By the time its third iteration came around, Amazon Fire TV was no longer a set-top unit. It became a dongle, hanging off an HDMI connector that plugs directly to your TV. It still wasn’t the ideal device, and it was getting clobbered by the Amazon Fire Stick.
Amazon Fire Stick
In hindsight, releasing the Amazon Fire Stick as a cheaper, smaller alternative to the Fire TV was not a good idea. The stick provided a neater setup with its smaller form factor. The unit plugged in directly to the TV with no extra configuration. Just connect it to the internet via Wi-Fi, and you’re good to go.
The Amazon Fire Stick originally released with two kinds of remotes: one with Alexa and one without the assistant. Though voice controls were still only catching on back in 2016, putting Alexa on a remote control paved the way to better versions later.
Price was also a major sticking point to the budget-conscious. Compared to the Fire TV‘s $69.99, the Amazon Fire Stick was only $39. Though it didn’t have the 4K capability, the Fire Stick still played content at 1080p. It was an acceptable sacrifice for nearly half the price.
If you’re in the market for a non-4k Amazon Fire Stick, the newest version comes out on January 23. This model will come with enhanced Alexa controls, Dolby Audio support, and a 1.3 GHz quad-core processor.
Fire Tv Stick 4k With All-New Alexa Voice Remote, Streaming Media Player
Eventually, the smaller Amazon Fire Stick cannibalized the features of its predecessors. Thanks to the ever-increasing usage of 4K TVs, nudging users to the 4K stick became even more accessible.
Of course, the path to Fire TV Stick 4K with all-new Alexa Voice Remote, streaming media player wasn’t an easy one. For this device to exist, a few things had to happen:
- The Price – after swinging back and forth between all sorts of prices, this newer version lands on a comfortable $49.99. If you have a 4K TV, you need to get this device.
- The Specs – Performance benchmarks may seem silly on streaming sticks, but the Fire TV Stick 4K has a 1.7 GHz quad-core processor to ensure that everything is silky smooth. Tell Alexa to search all sorts of content for you without having to wait for the system to catch up.
- The Visuals – Fire TV Stick 4K with all-new Alexa Voice Remote, streaming media player supports outputs of Dolby Vision, HDR 10, HDR 10+, HLG, and of course, 4K Ultra HD at 60 fps. No more missing out on picture details.
- The Audio – If you’re a serious audiophile, you’ll be glad to know that the Fire TV Stick 4K is compatible with Dolby Atmos. Now you can enjoy crisp, moving audio from the comfort of your own home.
- The Apps – Fire TV Stick 4K with all-new Alexa Voice Remote, streaming media player supports not only Prime Video, but also the competing apps like Netflix and Hulu. On-demand TV apps like CBS All-Access and NBC are also available, along with premium movie subscriptions like Starz and HBO.
- The convenience – Previous Amazon Fire TV remotes always left people wanting. Even with voice-activated controls, users wished that they didn’t have to add yet another remote to their growing pile.
Which is why the Fire TV Stick 4K remote is a much-needed improvement: not only does it have an improved Alexa, but it can also control your TV. Want to stream something, but your TV input is currently set to something else? No problem. Just press a button on the Fire TV Stick 4K remote, and voila! Your Fire TV content is ready to go.
Final thoughts
Fire TV Stick 4K with all-new Alexa Voice Remote, streaming media player is indeed the one stick to rule them all. With 4K visuals, Dolby Atmos compatibility, and hundreds of compatible apps, this $50 stick turns your home TV into a well-oiled content streaming machine. It’s no wonder that 30 million users are enjoying their Amazon Fire TV.
