Monday, October 27, 2014

Amazon launches $39 ‘Fire TV Stick’ to challenge Google’s Chromecast


Amazon launches $39 ‘Fire TV Stick’ to challenge Google’s Chromecast






Today Amazon announced the “Fire TV Stick,” a $39 streaming device designed to compete with devices like the Chromecast.


The Fire TV Stick appears to be significantly more powerful than Google’s streaming stick. It’s a full-blown streaming device — it doesn’t require “casting” media from one device to another to operate. The Fire TV Stick costs $4 more than Google’s Chromecast, but Amazon is offering a $20 discount on the device for Prime subscribers on launch.


Amazon says the small piece of hardware offers “instant access to…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 company is also soliciting developers to create apps specifically for the Fire TV Stick.


Amazon claims its stick is the “most powerful streaming media stick” on the market:


Fire TV Stick has 50% more processing power and 2x the memory of Chromecast; it has 6x the processing power, 2x the memory, and 32x the storage of Roku Streaming Stick.



The device ships with the following specs:


  • Dual-core processor

  • 1 GB RAM

  • 8 GB storage

  • 1080p HD video

  • Dolby Digital Plus surround sound

More to follow.




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