Amazon Launches New $69 Fire TV Dongle With 4K HDR Support

[MacRumors]

On the heels of the launch of the Apple TV 4K with support for HDR and 4K, Amazon today unveiled its next-generation Fire TV, which also has 4K HDR support.

The new device, which appears to replace both the Fire TV box and the Fire TV stick, features a 1.5GHz quad-core processor, an Alexa Voice Remote, Dolby Atmos support, 802.11ac WiFi, and 2160p video at up to 60 frames per second.

Image via The Verge​

Designed to be more like the Chromecast than the Apple TV, the new Fire TV is a small, hockey puck-sized square with a cable at one end to plug into a television set. It has Alexa support and offers access to hundreds of apps.

Amazon plans to offer pre-orders for the device starting today, with a launch set for later this year.

Article Link: Amazon Launches New $69 Fire TV Dongle With 4K HDR Support

 

[Moonjumper]

I assume it is supposed to hang from an HDMI port based on the cable length. Looks big enough put a strain on the port.

 

[levitynyc]

It’s just a short hdmi wire

 

[RoobyRoobyRoo]

Weird form factor aside, it looks like a great deal. The beauty of competition!

 

[jclardy]

I assume it is supposed to hang from an HDMI port based on the cable length. Looks big enough put a strain on the port.

Yeah, kind of an awkward design. I don't really get the point of having a dongle for a TV when in 99% of homes you will have some kind of entertainment console already, and a 2"x2" box can be hid anywhere in there.

But $69 for 4K HDR and Dolby Atmos support is pretty impressive...something the $179 ATV 4k is missing at launch. I really hope Amazon comes through with their app on the ATV.

 

[sos47]

can we switch off the mics?

 

[Drumjim85]

can we switch off the mics?

Unlike the echo devices, this mic is on the remote and only activates when you push a button. The batteries wouldn't last if it was always on and sending audio to amazon.

 

[ILikeAllOS]

I wonder if Google knew Amazon was launching this to compete with chromecast, which is why Google threw a fit and removed YouTube from the Show?

 

[samxv]

this is the right price for a device like this, how can apple justify their price point? In this day and age a PS4 basically does all of this already so no need for a separate device.

 

[Juicy Box]

Will this be like Chromecast and you need another device to control it, or will it come with a remote?

 

[satchmo]

The landscape for these TV devices is getting so competitive and crowded. Is there enough buyers for everyone to survive?

 

[Juicy Box]

this is the right price for a device like this, how can apple justify their price point? In this day and age a PS4 basically does all of this already so no need for a separate device.

But, then you will need a PS4, which I assume costs much more than an ATV4-5.

 

[shareef777]

Only with Apple does technology that's getting older get more expensive. 4K should of been included when the original Apple TV (4th gen) was released. They waited a couple years (so the parts for 4K have gone down in cost) and so Apple finally releases a 4K Apple TV and then STILL includes a price bump. SMH

 

[69Mustang]

Will this be like Chromecast and you need another device to control it, or will it come with a remote?

From the article:

The new device... features... an Alexa Voice Remote,

 

[Glockworkorange]

Yeah, kind of an awkward design. I don't really get the point of having a dongle for a TV when in 99% of homes you will have some kind of entertainment console already, and a 2"x2" box can be hid anywhere in there.

But $69 for 4K HDR and Dolby Atmos support is pretty impressive...something the $179 ATV 4k is missing at launch. I really hope Amazon comes through with their app on the ATV.

Plus I’m sure YouTube at 4K will work on this device. I cannot understand why Apple will not/cannot work that issue out.

 

[Juicy Box]

From the article:

Thanks, I read it as using Alexa as a way to control, but re-reading it, it makes more sense that it is a physical remote like the Siri-remote.

This is good, I like having a physical remote, and not having to control the device with an additional device like Chromecast.

 

[WilliamG]

No Dolby Vision? Honestly, this is getting to be a mess. Some devices support some things but not others... seriously - get this stuff standardized across all platforms already.

 

[kycophpd]

I just want to know if I can load Kodi on it?!

 

[69Mustang]

Thanks, I read it as using Alexa as a way to control, but re-reading it, it makes more sense that it is a physical remote like the Siri-remote.

This is good, I like having a physical remote, and not having to control the device with an additional device like Chromecast.

I have found it quite easy to re-purpose an old phone or iPad as a Chromecast remote. Technically speaking, a physical remote is really just an additional device with more limited capability.

 

[Cougarcat]

Yeah, kind of an awkward design. I don't really get the point of having a dongle for a TV when in 99% of homes you will have some kind of entertainment console already, and a 2"x2" box can be hid anywhere in there.

I like it. Less clutter, compact, no HDMI cable to lose. Eventually they'll be able to fit 4K HDR into a stick, but this is good for now.

In this day and age a PS4 basically does all of this already so no need for a separate device.

I don't think gamers are the target market for streaming boxes.

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

Only with Apple does technology that's getting older get more expensive. 4K should of been included when the original Apple TV (4th gen) was released. They waited a couple years (so the parts for 4K have gone down in cost) and so Apple finally releases a 4K Apple TV and then STILL includes a price bump. SMH

They waited a couple years because 4K HDR content is still uncommon. Netflix and Amazon both have small catalogs of 4K content and most is upconverted and not true HDR.

Creating a device when there wasn't any content would pretty much guarantee failure. Apple waited because there's at least enough content at this point to justify going this route.

 

[Craiger]

No Dolby Vision? Honestly, this is getting to be a mess. Some devices support some things but not others... seriously - get this stuff standardized across all platforms already.

Is this confirmed? I've been trying to find it. They don't mention HDR10 on their page either.

 

[mlabonte21]

Sure it's cheaper, BUT:

No Dolby Vision
No built-in gigabit ethernet (gotta buy a dongle for your dongle)
No iTunes (free 4K upgrades)
No casting abilities
Way less storage
Fewer apps

Apple TV is still overpriced by around $30--but still very much worth it if you ask me...

 

[jdillings]

I hate to say I told you but, just as I predicted, Amazon didn't release the Apple TV app before the new Fire TV with HDR was launched.

 

[gim]

No Dolby Vision? Honestly, this is getting to be a mess. Some devices support some things but not others... seriously - get this stuff standardized across all platforms already.

And pay the licensing fee for a technology that barely anyone uses? Plus there is basically no content. So no, thank you.