Amazon's Fire TV

[ISiddiqui]

Amazon launches Fire TV, an Android-powered streaming and gaming set-top box for $99 (http://www.engadget.com/2014/04/02/amazon-announces-android-powered-streaming-stick/)

So basically a Roku3 competitor that has fantastic specs for a set top box and can play a higher quality game than a Roku 3 (or Apple TV for that matter). I am kind of impressed as the voice command ability - that looks pretty cool.

And $99.

The shocking thing to me:
And, true to the company's word, this is not a closed ecosystem. It's powered by Android and HTML, which should make porting apps extremely simple. The device will launch with access to Hulu and Prime (obviously) but other partners will be added over time, Including Netflix, Plex, and NBA Gametime, if the demo screens are to be believed. It can pull in content from other Amazon services as well. If you've got photos on your Amazon Cloud Drive, you can beam them to your TV and look at them either as a scrolling screensaver mosaic or as a slideshow.

[Matthean]

Regardless, sticking with my Roku player until it dies.

[Butter]

They need to get HBO GO.

[flere-imsaho]

And I just bought a Roku....

[ISiddiqui]

They need to get HBO GO.

And MLB.tv - but once they get those, I think this is a much better buy than a Roku 3.

I have a Roku 2, but I get tired of the lag at times. I love my Chromecast, but Amazon is apparently never going to allow an Amazon Prime player on Android devices aside form those Amazon makes itself.

[ISiddiqui]

Huh, from the Verge:

Hulu, Netflix, YouTube, Vimeo, MLB.tv, and the NBA will be among the apps available on Fire TV.

So it seems MLB.tv is included... but it wasn't on Amazon's list of channels on their Fire TV page... maybe I'll wait for some hands on testing by Engadget.

[Ryan S]

If it comes with NHL Gamecenter I could finally get rid of my Apple TV.

My WDTV is great for streaming video files from my PC or network storage, but I have given up hope of an NHL or Amazon prime video app for that device.

[flere-imsaho]

Are there any apps at all (even paid, on any system) that allow you to watch the NFL?

And same question for the EPL and other European leagues, i guess.

[sabotai]

Are there any apps at all (even paid, on any system) that allow you to watch the NFL?

And same question for the EPL and other European leagues, i guess.

No NFL app on the Roku, and I haven't heard of one for anything else. I'm pretty sure the only way to get NFL content is to do it through NFL.com

For soccer, I see an MLS app for the Roku, and there's a Dishworld Sports app for European soccer and other sports around the world, but I have no idea how good it is or how many games it covers.

[DaddyTorgo]

Are there any apps at all (even paid, on any system) that allow you to watch the NFL?

And same question for the EPL and other European leagues, i guess.

I think you can subscribe to beinsportsplay separate from having beinsports on your tv? That would get you basically everything except EPL (well okay and Eredivise).

Fox had a website and i presume an app, but they lost most of their broadcasting rights.

[Logan]

Last year you were able to stream Sunday Ticket from tablets and phones.

[ISiddiqui]

Fox had a website and i presume an app, but they lost most of their broadcasting rights.

NBC has EPL broadcasting rights now.

[Marc Vaughan]

Not seen ANY mention of local storage on the device - is there any?

(for save games and suchlike it'd be rather useful)

[DaddyTorgo]

NBC has EPL broadcasting rights now.

Yeah. I don't think they have a specific app for it though.

[Pyser]

man is this getting redundant. at this point theres like 4 things that all do 1 thing the others cant. pointless. no one is raising the game right now.

[Ryan S]

Not seen ANY mention of local storage on the device - is there any?

(for save games and suchlike it'd be rather useful)

According to the system specs on Amazon.com:

Storage - 8 GB internal
Cloud Storage - Free cloud storage for all Amazon content

[NobodyHere]

So since I have a PS3 and Wii U hooked up to my TV, is there any reason for me to get this?

[Marc Vaughan]

According to the system specs on Amazon.com:

Storage - 8 GB internal
Cloud Storage - Free cloud storage for all Amazon content

Whoo Hoo - thats sounding FAR more interesting to me personally now :D

[ISiddiqui]

man is this getting redundant. at this point theres like 4 things that all do 1 thing the others cant. pointless. no one is raising the game right now.

To be fair, when Fire TV gets HBO GO, which is in the works, it moves well ahead of the other $99 streaming box options (I consider the streaming sticks another market).

[stevew]

Too many of these things and the matrix of who carries what streaming service is tedious.

That means you can buy HBO from Amazon? Cause that would be a game changer until data caps destroy it.

[ISiddiqui]

HBO GO has always been linked to having a cable subscription, which is also how it works on Roku.

[ISiddiqui]

Oh and who carries what is fairly easy. The main difference is that only Roku and now Fire TV carry Amazon Prime Streaming AND that Chromecast only has a handful of things, but the API just opened up.

[mckerney]

So since I have a PS3 and Wii U hooked up to my TV, is there any reason for me to get this?

Probably not. Maybe down the line if Amazon Game Studios put out some worthwhile titles that are only available on the Fire, though if not I doubt there's much a reason to get one as long as you already have a media device you're happy with.

[stevew]

HBO GO has always been linked to having a cable subscription, which is also how it works on Roku.

Oh, I have like 3 things that can do HBO Go. My TV does amazon already. Being able to ala carte buy HBO would be huge.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

That means you can buy HBO from Amazon? Cause that would be a game changer until data caps destroy it.

No, you can't buy HBO Go from Amazon and won't be able to do so anytime in the future. The change that they're considering is to offer HBO Go a la carte if you have a broadband connection but don't have TV through that same provider. If you have cable/satellite/etc., you still would pay the fee and get both the TV and HBO Go for that price.

Here's an article if you want to read more about that.

HBO Is Considering Offering HBO Go Without Cable Subscription, CEO Says (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/21/hbo-go-without-cable_n_2926926.html)

[Qwikshot]

You can buy HBO shows from Amazon until such occurs...my wife and I are debating cutting the cable cord.

[ISiddiqui]

But only after the Blu-ray is released, IIRC. You can't buy "True Detective" right now.

I've cut cable and its a fantastic decision, but with HBO you have to wait if you go that way.

[flere-imsaho]

ISiddiqui - what, if anything, do you do for NFL games?

[stevew]

I ordered one today. My chromecast is just not working with Netflix anymore. Amazon was offering delayed billing so I figured why not.

[stevew]

Haven't bought any games but the FireTV is really responsive as a Netflix box. I'll probably get Prime soon in order to take better advantage of it.

That Fire Phone, on the other hand, looks DOA. Doesn't compete on price. Locked to a carrier. Too expensive. 720p display. I think they maybe could have made it on $299 unlocked or something like that. But it's priced like better top end android handsets that any sane person would pick over the Fire phone.

[QuikSand]

We officially cut the cable cord today... will likely be checking out our streaming device options soon. We use an old Wii now, but that's pretty tired.

[ISiddiqui]

ISiddiqui - what, if anything, do you do for NFL games?

Didn't see this at the time - I watch NFL games which air on broadcast TV. If it doesn't then I don't watch it.

[Critch]

I have AppleTV just now for Netflix, ESPN3 and mainly for downloaded UK tv. I download in MP4 format, put in Itunes and it shows up on AppleTV. Super easy, it's spoiled me.

Is there a similar easy way of streaming downloaded stuff through the Fire TV? I've been thinking of getting it for the Amazon Prime Video app, but wouldnt want to give up on my downloaded TV.

[stevew]

Fire Phone now $199 unlocked.

[AnalBumCover]

Fire TV stick is $24.99 and in stock on Best Buy website. Regular price $39. Free shipping on orders over $35, so buy two.

Edit to add: Amazon is back ordered until January. I ordered mine from best buy on Monday, and it's expected to arrive by tomorrow.

[RainMaker]

Is Comcast ever going to allow me to watch HBO on this device? So sick of that fucking company.