[ad_1]
At a virtual hardware event on Thursday, Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) debuted the next-gen Fire TV Stick and introduced a lower-cost version, the Fire TV Stick Lite. The company also revealed a redesigned user interface for the devices that helps users connect to streaming services like Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) Y Disneyis (NYSE: DIS) Hulu and Disney +.
According to Amazon, since the onset of the coronavirus, people have spent more time watching television than ever. The company is looking to capitalize on that trend by offering improved features that will keep viewers coming back. These latest updates are designed to give the device an edge over competitors like Year (NASDAQ: ROKU) Y Appleis (NASDAQ: AAPL) Apple TV.
Image source: Amazon.
The new Fire TV Stick features a faster processor, making it 50% more powerful than its predecessor. It has a dual band antenna and Wi-Fi which results in fewer dropped connections. The device also features a voice remote with Alexa technology, HDR and Dolbyis (NYSE: DLB) Dolby Atmos, and it will soon support video calling, all for $ 39.99.
The Fire TV Stick Lite bills itself as 50% more powerful than the previous full-featured Fire TV Stick, offering “the most processing power of any streaming media player for under $ 30.”
Users had complained that the Fire TV home page was too cluttered, so the UI makeover was meant to simplify and make it easier to find entertainment to watch, while also supporting up to six user profiles. per household.
The new Amazon devices will ship next week, but the new features won’t be available until later this year.
The tech giant has been working to overtake Roku in the connected TV market. A survey of 1,048 US consumers in August found that Roku held the lead over Fire TV, its main rival. Of those surveyed who had a TV connected, 43% reported owning a Roku device, while 35% said they had a Fire TV. Apple TV ranked the rear with 27%.
[ad_2]
