In mid-September, Amazon introduced the Amazon Fire TV with 4K Ultra HD. The streaming box includes new technology and lets us see the reviews it has received.
"On top of faster processors and 4K output, Amazon packed its digital assistant, Alexa, into the streaming box. She... isn't quite as smart as some other virtual assistants. She didn't understand my question about the last Blackhawks score, but the exact same question to Siri returned exactly what I was looking for... I assume that, just like Siri, Alexa will learn more commands over time, but right now she fails at some of the most simple questions. "
"For someone who's deeply entrenched in Amazon's Prime ecosystem, the Fire TV is worth consideration. For everyone else, however, I suggest waiting to see how Roku's new set-top box, the Roku 4, and Apple's new Apple TV perform before clicking Add to Cart."
"As before, the box runs on Amazon's re-skinned version Android OS, which is slick and simple to navigate, but lacks the range of apps available on Google's Play Store. A lot of recent Smart TV's already have access to 4K-ready Netflix and Amazon apps, and perhaps won't see much benefit here."
"Amazon's approach to Android is overly curated, and a lot of its power will remain untapped for most users, but for a $100 media hub the Fire TV stands out. It has more features than the Apple TV and more raw power and potential than the Roku 3, making it the best new media streaming device out there."
"As much as I enjoy the Amazon Fire TV experience, I must admit that it's exceedingly mediocre. Compared to Apple TV, for instance, the interface feels clunky and confusing. I also feel like I'm constantly being pushed to buy or rent Amazon content which is fine. But I don't, like, love using the thing."
The Amazon Fire TV has received mixed reviews in the market. A price tag of $100 brings the streaming box on par with the Roku 3, which some experts believe is a more versatile set-top box than Apple Fire TV, but it lacks 4K support and voice control.
The Amazon Fire TV is a cheap option when compared with the Roku 4 or Apple TV. Price-sensitive customers may opt for the latest Amazon set-top box but many consumers may want to wait another year for Amazon to launch an improved version of Fire TV.
