After months of speculation, Amazon presents its next Amazon streaming player, Fire TV Cube, to be released in the US. On 21 June, we expect it to appear in the UK and other markets in due course.
The device is a natural development of other Amazon TV-enabled media players. We already have the Fire TV Stick, a small device that connects to your home Internet to stream online content services such as Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO and Netflix.
There’s also the Fire TV, an update to the Fire TV Sticker with a square shape that can support 4K Ultra HD and Dolby Atmos.
Both come with Alexa functionality, and the Cube seems ready to take those capabilities even further, calling itself the “first hands-free media player with Alexa”. Amazon seems to be betting on this combined functionality to keep consumers away from rival Chromecast or Apple TV devices.
So, what’s the latest?
Like an Amazon Echo speaker, customers will be able to browse the Fire TV and play/ pause/forward content without the need for a remote, while still using Alexa for all their weather/shopping/curious concerns.
Compared to Fire TV, the Cube will have its own Ethernet port, larger 16GB of storage and a built-in speaker, eliminating the need to use the audio output of a TV. Users will also be able to control other smart home compatible devices, such as speakers, sound bars, thermostats or additional cameras around their home.
Fire TV Cube is sold on Amazon for $119.99, with the option of including a Cloud Camera night vision camera for a total of $199.98. Amazon has not yet announced prices for other regions, but we expect the basic Cube to reach around 120 pounds in the UK.