Amazon has finally revealed FireTV, its long-rumored TV streaming and gaming device. The product was first thought to be a set-top box, but later reports suggested it would be a Chromecast-like USB device for streaming. Now we know it is in fact a box more similar to Roku and Apple TV, and will be used to stream movies and TV shows, in addition to playing games and displaying photos. The device is loaded with features and ships today at $99.
Amazon revealed and demoed the new device and its functionality at an event in New York today. FireTV is set to work with streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, MLB.TV, and the WWE Network, as well as the popular game-streaming service Twitch. The box also works with iTunes Radio and Pandora, allowing you to stream music, and can play songs from your Amazon library, as well.
FireTV will work with your accounts for any of those services once you sign in and stream the video to your TV, much like Chromecast, Roku and Apple TV.
Amazon promises the FireTV outpaces its competition, though. The hardware includes a quad-core CPU and 2GB of RAM, along with a dedicated GPU (understandable if it's meant to play games), along with a dual-band wireless radio with two antennas. The FireTV's remote also offers voice command functionality--you can speak your directions or requests into the device.
FireTV is not meant to compete with dedicated gaming consoles, but gives an option to play on the TV for people who play games on their tablets and phones. Amazon will be selling a dedicated controller that costs $39.99 for those interested in, and it looks similar to the not-so-attractive design that leaked last month. Minecraft will be one of the games available for FireTV, with more to come. Games can be played with the remote or a smartphone app instead of the controller, as well.
Amazon's new game developers Amazon Studios will be making games for the device, and they showed footage from several upcoming titles. The average paid game on FireTV will cost just $1.85. Many major developers such as EA, 2K, Ubisoft and Telltale Games are on board, as well.
The box also works with Amazon's X-Ray service, allowing you to use an accompanying tablet to get more information on movies and actors, and it can display the lyrics on your TV to any music you're playing. They've also included a feature called "ASAP", which predicts what you'll want to watch and cues it up ahead of time. A function called "Free Time" allows parents to lock out content, making only a section with select programming available to the kids.
Source: The Verge
