Amazon’s internet-connected Echo speaker has won every award going since it launched late last year and few can disagree that it didn’t deserve every one of them.
Now one of its biggest and best features is joining another of Amazon’s most popular products.
The Fire TV Stick, which plugs straight into your TV’s HDMI port, has just received a major refresh and now includes Alexa – Amazon’s clever personal assistant.
This added cloud-based voice service means users can search for things such as TV shows, latest weather and news reports via a new voice-controlled remote.
Alexa can also show the latest football scores, traffic issues and even order a taxi via the TV.
Users can also use their voice to fast forward and rewinding content with a simple phrase, such a “jump ahead two minutes”, instantly skipping through content
Along with voice control, Amazon has also made its Fire TV Stick faster with a powerful quad-core processor and upgraded Wi-Fi tucked inside its small shell.
And the new Fire Stick includes a completely redesigned interface that makes finding what to watch even easier.
This updated on-screen design delivers video trailers and content screenshots to help customers access the content they’re likely to want to watch – without the need to open and close multiple apps.
There’s also good news for anyone who loves Netflix as Amazon has incorporated quick access to this rival content.
This means a search for a TV show will instantly reveal the best and most cost-effective way to watch – so if something is on Netflix and you’re signed into your account this will be the first option you’ll see.
Unlike Amazon’s Fire TV box, the new Stick device can only stream in 1080p and not full 4K Ultra HD resolution but Amazon says the new 802.11ac MIMO Wi-Fi and Advanced Streaming and Prediction (ASAP) for Amazon Video, means fluid performance without any buffering.
Speaking about the new device Jorrit Van der Meulen, Vice President, Amazon Devices International, said: “Fire TV Stick is our fastest-selling UK device ever and today we’re making it better,
“The all-new Amazon Fire TV Stick has been completely redesigned with incredible performance, powerful voice search and the included Alexa-powered remote to deliver instant access to a vast selection of movies, TV shows, games and Alexa skills.”
The all-new Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote is available for pre-order beginning today with it shipping to customers on April 6.
And even with all the new features Amazon has managed to keep the cost down to just £39.99.
The all-new Fire TV Stick will also be available at Dixons Carphone, Argos, John Lewis, Tesco, Maplin & Shop Direct.
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