Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Sticks have received significant upgrades. A new software update rolled out on Feb. 24 gives users a few useful new features.
Firstly, there's the ability to connect an external USB drive for those who want to connect to their back catalogue of movies. Both the set top Fire TV box and the Fire TV stick have just 8 GB of internal memory. There's also support for connectivity to wireless Bluetooth headphones that should prove popular.
Arguably, the most interesting feature is a tweak to the devices' Wi-Fi connectivity. Amazon says they are the first streaming devices to support "captive portal," or Wi-Fi networks that require Web-based authentication. This could be very useful to travellers using the devices over hotel Wi-Fi, students watching over dorm room Wi-Fi or anyone connecting via public Wi-Fi from coffee shops to libraries. This feature gives Amazon a leg up on Apple TV or Google Chromecast, neither of which can connect to networks requiring Web-based authentication.
Other updates include access to curated playlists on Amazon Prime, hidden PIN entry to prevent children from seeing your password and some new shortcuts for putting the device to sleep or waking it up.
All of the upgrades will be delivered as free downloads to existing users sometime over the "coming weeks" according to Amazon. Both devices are also now available for pre-order to customers in the UK and Germany for the first time and will start shipping on April 15.
Amazon Fire TV is available for $99, and the Fire TV stick costs $39. Both devices essentially turn your television into a smart TV, allowing you to watch streaming services over the Internet. The extra money for the set top box gives you voice control, an optical out-port for home theaters and a faster CPU that is required for playing more complex games. Of course, both devices can stream Amazon Instant Video, something that is difficult to do with Google's Chromecast or Apple TV.
