Amazon has never been shy about its desire to enter the set-top box market. Rumors have persisted for some time about just what kind of box it would release. Well, the time is now upon us, so lets break down just what Amazon is bringing to the table.
The first thing that needs to be noted is that the Amazon Fire TV features a quad core processor, 2GB of RAM, and a dedicated GPU for playing games. Many set-tops on the market already have the ability to play a modicum of games, but never has a stand alone box come with such power dedicated for gaming. The gaming side of the box allows for an Amazon branded controller, that currently retails for $4. The Fire TV as a standalone box will run you $99. The gampad looks like you standard controller, with it’s distinctively Xbox like layout. But don’t fret if you only plan on purchasing the Fire TV sans game controller, as Amazon has stated that many of the games on its service can be played using the included media player remote.
One major feature that surprised us, was the Fire TV’s ability to search using voice commands. We have seen the feature before, most notably in the Kinect from Microsoft, but instead of having to scream across the room, Amazon has included a built-in microphone right into remote control.
We look forward to getting our hands on the box, and controller for a full breakdown soon. In the meantime, you can check out the specs and features on the Fire TV directly from Amazon.
Amazon Fire TV is a tiny box you connect to your HDTV. It’s the easiest way to enjoy Netflix, Prime Instant Video, Hulu Plus, low-cost movie rentals, and much more
- Your partner in Prime—The best way to enjoy unlimited access to over 40,000 Prime Instant Videos on your HDTV, including Amazon exclusives like Downton Abbey and Justified
- Massive selection—Over 200,000 TV episodes and movies, millions of songs, and over a hundred games. See more
- Voice search that actually works—Simply say the name of what you want to watch and start enjoying in seconds. Show me
- Tiny box, huge specs—Fast quad-core processor, 2 GB of memory, dedicated GPU, plus 1080p HD video and Dolby Digital Plus surround sound
- Easy to set up and use—Pre-registered to your Amazon account so you can enjoy favorite titles and personalized recommendations
- Instant streaming—Exclusive new feature ASAP predicts what movies and TV episodes you’ll want to watch and buffers them for playback before you hit play
- Perfect for parents—Amazon FreeTime lets you easily limit screen time and create personalized profiles just for kids (coming soon)
- Great for gaming, too—Play blockbuster titles like Minecraft-Pocket Edition, The Walking Dead, and Monsters University, plus free games and Amazon exclusives. Paid games start from just 99 cents
Amazon Controller, the best way to game with Amazon Fire TV
- Play more games — Amazon Fire Game Controller doubles the number of games you can play on Fire TV, including Minecraft – Pocket Edition, Asphalt 8, and NBA 2K14
- Full set of controls — Featuring dual analog sticks and all the controls a gamer would expect, plus lighted player indicators for multiplayer gaming
- Affordable games — Paid games start from just 99 cents, and many games are available to play for free
- Wireless gaming — Kick back on your couch and game without wires
- Play music and videos — Integrated media buttons provide convenient control of movies, TV shows, and music
- Leaderboards and achievements — The Amazon GameCircle button instantly lets you track progress and compare scores with friends and millions of other gamers
- Long battery life — Auto-sleep with instant-wake maximizes play time, providing up to 55 hours with the included AA batteries
The Amazon Fire TV is available now here
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