Amazon has fired a shot over the bow of the Apple TV 4K, as on Thursday it announced the upcoming release of the Fire TV Cube, it’s latest streaming box, which joins together the retailer’s existing streaming device and its popular Echo smart speaker.
Users will be able to issue the usual “Alexa” voice commands, but will also be able to control video playback, and compatible receivers, cable and satellite boxes, and sound bars. Users with Alexa-compatible security cameras will be able to view the feeds on the device.
- Fire TV Cube is the first hands-free streaming media player with Alexa, delivering an all-in-one entertainment experience. From across the room, just ask Alexa to turn on the TV, dim the lights, and play what you want to watch.
- With far-field voice recognition, eight microphones, and beamforming technology, Fire TV Cube hears you from any direction. Enjoy hands-free voice control—search, play, pause, fast forward, and more. Plus, control your TV, sound bar, cable or satellite box, receiver, and more with just your voice.
- Do more with Alexa. Fire TV Cube has a built-in speaker that lets you check the weather, listen to the news, control compatible smart home devices, and more—even with the TV off. Fire TV Cube is always getting smarter with new Alexa skills and voice functionality.
- Experience true-to-life picture quality and sound with access to vivid 4K Ultra HD up to 60 fps, HDR, and the audio clarity of Dolby Atmos.
- Enjoy tens of thousands of channels, apps, and Alexa skills. Get over 500,000 movies and TV episodes from Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, HBO, SHOWTIME, NBC, and more.
- Access YouTube, Facebook, Reddit, and more websites with Silk and Firefox browsers.
- An Amazon Prime membership unlocks thousands of movies and TV episodes including “Thursday Night Football” and Prime Originals like “The Big Sick” and “Sneaky Pete”.
- Enjoy unlimited access to tens of millions of songs with Amazon Music, starting at just $3.99/month.
The Cube will sport eight microphones and a built-in speaker, and its storage has been doubled to 16 gigabytes. An Ethernet adapter is bundled with the device.
The Fire TV Cube will add support for sleep timers later this year. Alexa Calling & Messaging, multi-room music, and Bluetooth connections to mobile phones are not currently supported on Fire TV Cube.
The Cube will ship on June 21, and is available for pre-order on the Amazon website. The price is $89.99 for Prime members, or $119.99 for folks who don’t have a Prime membership. Users will get a $10 Prime Video Movie Credit when they activate their device before June 2. The credit must be used by August 31.
