This past week Amazon joined the club and released the “*Fire TV streaming media box.*”:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CX5P8FC/ref=amb_link_1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=gateway-center-column&pf_rd_r=14B4RTCF3MYZG765886B&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1770741782&pf_rd_i=507846 With its release, it joined competitors such as “*Apple TV*”:http://www.apple.com/appletv/, “*Roku*”:http://www.roku.com and “*Chromecast.*”:https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/devices/chromecast/ Some people might think premium cable or satellite TV is on its way out, and streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu Plus and Amazon Instant are the cheaper way of the future.
Amazon’s Fire TV highlights:
* A massive selection of over 200,000 TV episodes and movies
* Works with Prime
* Offers a voice search feature so you can simply say what you’d like to watch
* Quad-core processor with 2GB of memory, 1080p HD video and Dolby Digital Plus surround sound
* Offers free and paid games
Amazon Fire TV matches the Apple TV in price at $99. The one standout feature of Amazon Fire is that you have the option to purchase a game controller ($40) so you can use it as a gaming system. It also contains voice search that works through a built-in mic on the remote.
If you aren’t familiar with Chromecast or Roku, these devices are also sticks (Roku offers non-stick versions as well) that plug into your TV and offer various streaming services like Netflix, YouTube, Showtime Anytime, HBO Go and more. There aren’t any recurring fees with either, however you might need to pay a monthly subscription for certain content providers.
I love me some TV, but cable is expensive, especially in a place like Vermont where there aren’t a lot of options. With more devices entering the market, like the ones mentioned above, I’m wondering if major cable companies will change their ways at all by either lowering fees, or offering more bang for your buck.
Since there are now many options for streaming content to your TV, I’m thinking it’s Apple’s turn to beef up the Apple TV with features and capabilities that will blow everything else out of the water. Because that’s what Apple does.
Do you currently use one of these devices to watch TV? “*Tell me about it!*”:mailto:steph@smalldog.com