There are two new Amazon Fire TV models planned to be released this year, which would mark the first time in a couple of years that Amazon will update its Fire TV hardware.
The first model is said to be a mid-tier dongle that resembles the Google Chromecast, while the more interesting second model will apparently be able to take voice commands like the Alexa-powered Echo Dot. Both models, however, will support 4K HDR video running at 60 frames per second.
Amazon Fire TV Dongle
According to an exclusive report by AFTVNews, the first new Amazon Fire TV model that will be released this year comes in the form factor of a dongle with a permanently attached HDMI cable, resembling the Google Chromecast.
The dongle will be a mid-tier device that will carry a price tag of between $60 and $80 and will be positioned somewhere between the current Amazon Fire TV Stick and the new top-tier model. The device is powered by a 1.5 GHz quad-core CPU, a Mali-450 MP GPU, and 2 GB of RAM with 8 GB of internal storage.
Amazon is said to be planning to launch the new Amazon Fire TV dongle in October.
Amazon Fire TV Speaker
The second new Amazon Fire TV model, which will be the Fire TV line's new flagship model, is a cube-shaped set-top box with far-field microphones, an integrated speaker, and an LED light bar.
The Amazon Fire TV box will work like the Echo Dot, and like the smart speaker, will be powered by Amazon's digital assistant Alexa.
Some Amazon Fire TV models already support Alexa but require a remote or extra hardware to issue voice commands to the digital assistant. With the microphones and speaker of the new Amazon Fire TV box, users will be able to use it just like an Amazon Echo speaker for commands such as turning the TV on or off, changing channels and volume, and searching for content.
The device is expected to have a price tag of over $100, but no specific launch date within the year has been specified.
Amazon Echo News
The influence of the Amazon Echo has now expanded into Fire TV line, as the Alexa-powered smart speaker continues to rise in popularity.
Despite reports of an Amazon Echo hack on previous models, Amazon customers have continued to trust the smart speaker, especially over the sale that dropped the Amazon Echo price to only $100.
There have been rumors that an Amazon Echo 2 is on the way, but Amazon has not yet made an official announcement.
