Amazon is rolling out an update to the Android-based Fire TV and Fire TV Stick. The update brings a slew of key features that aim to enhance a user's viewing experience.
The Fire TV OS 1.5 update will be rolled out automatically to registered users. Amazon is even sending a notification to users' email on whether the software is already available for their devices.
The most significant feature brought by the update is the X-Ray. While it has been one of the features on Fire tablets for quite awhile now, it is now a first-time feature on the streaming box.
"You can now use X-Ray on Amazon Fire TV to explore your favorite movies and TV shows on Amazon Instant Video directly on your TV screen. Powered by (the Amazon-owned) IMDb, you can identify actors and songs in the current scene, explore actor bios and more by simply clicking the Up button on your Amazon Fire TV remote," says Amazon on the new Amazon Fire TV.
The X-Ray feature allows the user to view information about actors and songs that are displayed on the scene. It also offers trivia quizzes and a whole lot more. Prime members are also given access to curated Prime Music playlists on their Fire TV.
The update also brings some handy changes to the UI. These include a hidden PIN entry that is protected from a child's view and new shortcuts for quick and easy sleep mode activation of the Fire TV. There's also the display-mirroring feature that is activated by simply pressing and holding the home button.
Other notable features of the OS 1.5 update on the Fire TV include expandable USB storage support and the ability for private listening using Bluetooth headphones. There are also bug fixes and a new tagging feature that allows the user to tag favorite cloud drive photos or videos or filter them by Favorites in an album. Amazon Fire TV has captive portal support that allows for Wi-Fi connection after a successful Web authentication. This feature can be used in hotels, universities and at any place where Wi-Fi is available.
"Support for wireless Bluetooth headphones lets you listen to your favorite movie, TV show or music wirelessly and privately," says Amazon.
