Amazon quietly releases new Fire TV Stick, and it might be the most controversial ever
The newly-launched Fire TV Stick HD sticks pretty close to the existing formula for these extremely-popular streaming gadgets
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Amazon quietly unveiled its latest streaming device — Fire TV Stick HD — earlier this month. The new addition to the popular lineup of streaming dongles will replace the entry-level Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick Lite models, although the latter is still available at a discounted rate for now.
Priced at £39.99, it runs the same Fire TV software found across all Fire TV Stick and Fire TV-powered Smart TVs, which offers access to the biggest streaming services (Disney+, Prime Video, Netflix), as well as a slew of games and productivity apps. Unlike the Fire TV 4K Max, this more affordable model doesn't support Xbox Game Pass, so you won't be able to stream the latest Call of Duty, Fortnite, or Minecraft over Wi-Fi.
- View Deal | Start shopping all-new Fire TV Stick HD
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If you do want to play video games, Amazon's rival streaming service Luna is compatible with the new Fire TV Stick in the lineup. It can be paired with a wireless controller to make gaming more comfortable.
The new model, introduced to Amazon's online store with little fanfare, is designed to simplify the Fire TV lineup and offer an affordable option for those with HD-quality televisions, who don't need to spend extra for 4K Ultra HD resolution.
Under the bonnet of the Fire TV Stick HD, Amazon has equipped the HDMI dongle with a 1.7 GHz quad-core processor that supports the most common HDR formats, including HDR10 and HDR10+. However, unlike the pricier options from Amazon, it lacks Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support.
Elsewhere, it supports Wi-Fi 5 connectivity and comes equipped with 8GB of storage for your streaming apps, games, and content. In the box, you'll find a basic Alexa Voice Remote, allowing users to control their TV experience with voice commands.
Fire TV Stick HD replaces the entry-level Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick Lite in the lineup, offering an affordable way to access the 1.5 million movies and TV shows available from the lightweight device for those who don't need 4K Ultra HD support
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If you want something a little flashier, Fire TV Stick HD does support the Alexa Voice Remote Pro, which comes equipped with the ability to trigger a ringtone from the remote to find it down the back of the cushions. You can start the process from the Alexa app or an Amazon Echo.
It also boasts TV controls and backlit buttons.
Some advanced features found in higher-end models are absent, such as the Ambient Experience for AI-generated artwork and picture-in-picture support.
Amazon describes the device as "a compact streaming device that gets you to all of your favourite streaming content, the benefits of the Fire TV experience, and the power of Alexa". However, some Amazon customers are not convinced by the compromises with this £39.99 streaming dongle.
At the time of writing, there are four customer reviews about the newly launched Fire TV Stick HD — and 46% of those have rated the new streaming gadget just one out of a possible five stars. The remaining 27% of reviews rate the latest addition to the Fire TV Stick lineup as three- and five-stars, respectively.
This breakdown is calculated by a proprietary system developed by Amazon. The retailer states: "To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average.
"Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyses reviews to verify trustworthiness."
One review lambasts the Fire TV Stick HD for still relying on a Micro USB port for power — a connection that made its debut back in 2007 and has since been superseded multiple times, most recently by USB-C.
EU lawmakers have strong-armed manufacturers including Apple, Samsung, Google, and others to adopt USB-C as the standard charging port for most consumer electronics in a bid to reduce electronic waste. It's a move that Prime Minister Keir Starmer is purportedly considering in the UK.
"A new firestick in 2024 using micro usb let’s hope this is the final nail in amazons coffin im sure anything less than usb c cant be sold anymore," the one-star review criticises. The lukewarm three-star review also blasts the new hardware from Amazon, writing: "I bought this 2024 HD edition but its just the fire stick lite with a new remote, it says so on the settings that its a lite. It is not a new generation stick at all."
However, some Fire TV Stick HD owners have been more positive about the new gadget. It claims the "value for money is unreal", adding: "I use this more than anything else in my home".
At the time of writing, new Fire TV Stick HD owners have had a pretty mixed experience with the affordable device — with two customers rating the £39.99 streamer with a paltry one-star
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The Fire TV Stick HD joins Amazon's existing lineup, which includes the Fire TV Stick 4K, Fire TV Stick 4K Max, and Fire TV Cube. It's positioned as an entry-level option for those who don't require 4K streaming capabilities.
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Available to buy today, Fire TV Stick HD costs £39.99 — a £5 saving compared to the older Fire TV Stick model it has replaced in the lineup. Given its release date, it's possible the Fire TV Stick HD could enjoy a discount in the Black Friday sales, which will begin on November 29 ...although some brands have started early.
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