Amazon Launches 'Fire TV' Media Streaming Box with Voice Search, Game Support, and More

[appleii.c]

But can it stream .mkv without wrapping from my server?

This is what I've been trying to find out. Also, can I just connect my external HD to it and stream my video library?

 

[laurim]

Just got an email announcing this. Gary Busey as a spokesperson! whee. Wasn't promoting a tech product by LG one of his tasks on Celebrity Apprentice? Smart appliances? Hmmm, original...

 

[calpolygraduate]

Amazon - 1 , Apple - 0

 

[D.T.]

I just realized the remote designer for this product is the same designer for the Pono[Player]

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Amazon - 1 , Apple - 0

I think I’d say it’s more like Apple - 1, Amazon TBD It’s not like Amazon suddenly cornered the market, or created a new marketspace that Apple hadn’t considered.

... that being said, I'd be shocked if it doesn't sell well, and dilute the market for streaming products: it appears to have good execution in specs and features (assuming it works extremely hassle free), it has a decent amount of content and it’s got excellent brand equity with Amazon.

If we consumed more content from Amazon, I’d pick one up, but for the occasional Prime video, AirPlay to an AppleTV, or using the Amazon video app on the TVs, or PS3 is good enough (the TV “smart apps” are terrible ...). I think a good friend on mine ordered one, if he did, I’ll have to go check it out and report back

Side note: I saw you got a new sexy tube ... pretty sweet

 

[lilo777]

Roku did not take off then, and didn't come close to becoming any sort of mainstream product until well after Apple TV became more established, and as someone who deluded themselves into thinking they could make Windows Media Center servers and boxes work and actually invested money into the idea, I just want to say that everything about the experience was horrid and buggy in nearly every way imaginable. Sometimes I don't like how picky Apple could be about media with iTunes, but Windows was even worse. Maybe it's improved since, but it was a nightmare then. I truly find it silly that you're even using this as any sort of rebuttal. Talk about a product that was a total non-starter...

Just because other devices existed before the Apple TV redesign we know now does not mean they were any good. I've been playing with streaming and home servers for a long time and have worked in the home theater industry in the past and am hardly unfamiliar with the options that have been there. There was nothing that was truly compelling to mainstream users before Apple TV, and there have been few since. These players did not start taking off until after the Apple TV 2nd gen release and funny enough, the other companies started copying Apple's design once again, for a minuscule TV box you barely have to see even.

Missing in this equation is the technology progress timeline. Broadband speeds improved, WiFi speeds improved, low power CPUs/GPUs improved. Roku in 2008 should not be expected to be as good as Apple TV in 2010 but they have been roughly on par for a long time. Amazon's device leapfrogged Apple TV and Apple TV will probably do the same soon. The main differentiating factor in this sector is not really a hardware. It's a service and from experience Amazon is very hard to beat in this department.

BTW, all these devices still suck compared to my Comcast/Motorola DVR (2009) in terms of content and especially video quality (streaming sports is still unwatchable even on my 100Mbit Internet connection)

 

[SandPebble]

Ordered it. Be here Friday.

 

[irnchriz]

So, $99 for the child of an OUYA and an Apple TV.

 

[TrentS]

Gotcha!!!

If I order one, can I have it delivered via drone? I'll have a net waiting. Good way to get a free drone!!

 

[Dmunjal]

The two biggest feature (for me) that are missing that would put any box at the top of my list:

Antenna In
DVR capabilities.

This was I don't have to have my digital antenna and laptop connected to use as a DVR. I'd love to simply plug my antenna into one of these streaming boxes and have an external storage plugged in or via wifi.

www.Tablotv.com

 

[zweigand]

Looks very interesting. I like the idea of voice search (if it works). Search on Roku is pretty good via recommendations after you start typing. Looks like this box could be up on par with Roku now ...Apple really needs to step it up.

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www.Tablotv.com

I love my Simple.TV + Roku ...although I hear the 2nd Rev Simple.TV boxes are a bit hot and loud :/

 

[petsounds]

If you rent a movie from iTunes, Apple has that info. Just like Amazon. If you watch Netflix, Netflix has that info.

Not sure why you're suggesting Amazon is any "worse" than what already exists.

I don't rent movies from iTunes, nor do I use iTunes radio. iTunes is at least less creepy than Amazon because Apple is very clear about what they track, and most of their tracking is opt-in.

When did I say they were "worse" than what already exists? I didn't.

 

[Rodster]

I don't really see the need for this device when it's competing against their tablets and Smart TV's.

 

[jrswizzle]

Missing in this equation is the technology progress timeline. Broadband speeds improved, WiFi speeds improved, low power CPUs/GPUs improved. Roku in 2008 should not be expected to be as good as Apple TV in 2010 but they have been roughly on par for a long time. Amazon's device leapfrogged Apple TV and Apple TV will probably do the same soon. The main differentiating factor in this sector is not really a hardware. It's a service and from experience Amazon is very hard to beat in this department.

BTW, all these devices still suck compared to my Comcast/Motorola DVR (2009) in terms of content and especially video quality (streaming sports is still unwatchable even on my 100Mbit Internet connection)

Hmm - that blows. I just upgraded to TWC's 60 Mbit and was streaming two NCAA games to two different computers in good quality the weekend the NCAA tourney started.

Netflix and WatchESPN have been outstanding as well.

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I don't really see the need for this device when it's competing against their tablets and Smart TV's.

I've refused to buy a Smart TV - interfaces all look awful and they're so damn expensive.

Much prefer the set-top box route, which are to used in conjunction with your tablet.

 

[samcraig]

www.Tablotv.com

but out of stock... and not an all-in-one... But I'll keep tabs on it

It's also a decent price (meaning - I think it's a bit on the high side) and requires a subscription for scheduling.

I get the revenue model. But for now, using windows media center (+hdhomerun) on an old laptop works great and has zero cost to maintain

 

[Tinmania]

If Wall Street really thought this was an "Apple killer" the stock would be down now. I'm guessing Wall Street thinks there's nothing here that Apple can't replicate. And with the previous ATV rumors it sounds like that's where Apple is headed. My guess is we'll see something from
Apple at WWDC.

So basically you have nothing but guesses and ifs.



Michael

 

[jicon]

I'm interested to see what the Plex integration is like, and whether it is a step up from the Roku.

It would be nice if there is a way to use an IR remote like a Logitech Harmony.

With those two items, instant sale for $99.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

If I order one, can I have it delivered via drone? I'll have a net waiting. Good way to get a free drone!!

Drones explode upon theft detection.

 

[jimbobb24]

Apple blew a 3 years lead

Hey Apple - maybe you should not sit on ideas so long. Looks like Amazon just released what I have been waiting for you to do with the Apple TV for about 2 years. Dang! Why does it take Apple so long to take Apple TV to the next level when they already have the infrastructure?

This looks very tempting. I will wait a bit to see if Apple is going to finally release a next gen Apple TV - otherwise Fire - you win.

 

[jmcgeejr]

Hey Apple - maybe you should not sit on ideas so long. Looks like Amazon just released what I have been waiting for you to do with the Apple TV for about 2 years. Dang! Why does it take Apple so long to take Apple TV to the next level when they already have the infrastructure?

This looks very tempting. I will wait a bit to see if Apple is going to finally release a next gen Apple TV - otherwise Fire - you win.

one thing before you jump, do you plan on using your own remote if so this is not the box for you.

 

[MacAddict1978]

The success of this will depend highly on the price, and if it runs android. Not because "android is android" - but so developers can easily make apps and games for it.

Don't read much, do ya?

I kind of thought the it's a roku (forget apple tv, there is not much content for it) married with the benefits of the atv (content delivery.... and amazon is always more price competitive... and has sales!) plus a Ouya like device for $99 was a pretty good sell.... from what I read in the article...

The extra $30 for a controller is a bummer, but they have game developer support Ouya never got...

 

[MacAddict1978]

The success of this will depend highly on the price, and if it runs android. Not because "android is android" - but so developers can easily make apps and games for it.

No it's not. It's a good device just like the Apple TV. The Fire TV can do games right now and has voice on it's remote right now. Apple TV will have it soon too. They're both very similar.

They're also both closed ecosystems in their own way. Just like choosing Sony Playstation vs Microsoft XBox, Amazon wants the choice to be them vs. Apple TV/Roku/Google.

As long as Amazon prices it at $99 - they'll be in the game. Price this at $199 and it will be DOA.

Looks like the way they're going with pricing it will be something like $99 if you have an Amazon Prime Account and $199 without. We'll see....

Does no one read?
The Fire TV will ship today from Amazon with a $99 price tag.

And to the OP.... fan boy much? Amazon has far more content and better prices than Apple as whole: rentals, purchase, streaming, books, and music is pretty much on par... and usually... cheaper.... They just lack the cool factor

 

[brsboarder]

Do we know if this will allow streaming from an external hard drive like an apple tv 2 jailbroken, or stream from a computer?

 

[thats all folks]

Since Apple doesn't have an Amazon App on it's device....
and Amazon doesn't have an iTunes App on it's device...

this will be the new console wars in the TV space.

When Apple updates it's Apple TV to offer games, then the Google Chrome and Roku will have a hard time catching up.

Apple TV - iOS games and iTunes
Fire TV - Android games (only 'approved ones') and Amazon Prime
Google - just streaming
Roku - just streaming

Roku has games right now. The new Apply TV will need to be new hardware to actually be able to run any improved services. That leaves all previous Apple TV owners with last years news and an even steven choice between two $99 options. Which to choose? The new offering that represents a fresh start or yet another pet project from the company that is still talking about iTunes as if it is something that people actually like to interact with.

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http://www.virtual-strategy.com/2014/04/02/plex-now-available-amazon-fire-tv

 

[Zemzil]

Does it have some kind of device miroring/extending ? For Windows, Android or OS X ? Because it's to me the best feature of the ATV since Maverick. I found really fun to play any OpenEmu game with such fonction on ATV (that I primary use with FCPX in my home-studio), before it require some DP>HDMI adapter.

Another question about the audio digital output of the FireTV : does it split HDMI sound on it and can it be used/controlled for audio stream without TV on ? How is it recognized by home stream server/software ?

And at last, does any Android game can be launched on it or it have to be "FireOs-sed" ?

Gratz for any response.

 

[D.T.]

Does it have some kind of device miroring/extending ? For Windows, Android or OS X ? Because it's to me the best feature of the ATV since Maverick. I found really fun to play any OpenEmu game with such fonction on ATV (that I primary use with FCPX in my home-studio), before it require some DP>HDMI adapter.

From the info on Amazon.com

Mirror your tablet on your HDTV
Share movies, TV shows, music, and even photos playing on your tablet with everyone in your living room. What you see on your Kindle Fire HDX display is exactly what you’ll see on your big screen. Control the display from your tablet—one simple command is all it takes to let Amazon Fire TV know when to start mirroring and when to stop.

Second Screen, enhanced with X-Ray
Click the “fling” icon on your Second Screen-enabled tablet to send video and audio to your big screen, leaving you free to use your tablet for other tasks. When you’re done watching, simply bring everything back to your tablet with a touch.

Use your Kindle Fire HDX to learn more about TV shows and movies playing on Amazon Fire TV with X-Ray, powered by IMDb. Dive deep in-scene to explore characters, trivia, music, and more.

The mirroring doesn’t really clarify whether it’s a full device mirror, or specific media related apps.