The good news: pretty much everything else.
Here is a decent first-day write-up:
Quad-core CPU, 2 Gb RAM, instant (really instant) streaming, capable of playing games, dual-band WiFi, optional controller, included (but optional) voice commands via the remote. And song lyrics on-screen…I’ll finally be able to understand the music.
I ordered one. I have a Roku, but seldom use it. I’m hoping for quicker (time and effort) access to Netflix, among other things.
Anyway. This thing looks a lot like a Roku clone, though the ASAP streaming sounds like a legitimate innovation (if it works). I’m curious about the absence of HBO Go on their roster though. That’s one thing Roku has over them.
It looks like a faster Roku with voice commands. So compared to the $99 Roku 3, the Amazon Fire TV is the thing to get. Well, unless you want HBO GO, which isn’t on it yet (likely soon should be).
Also, I’m not sure if MLB.TV is on there. I haven’t received any confirmation and Amazon doesn’t have it listed on the Fire TV page.
I am very interested in this: we need something for the TV I’m putting in the nursery so I have something to zone out to after I whelp this baby-thing and am going to be there with it a lot. The TV in there kind of sucks - it wouldn’t recognize the Chromecast I tried in it, so I sent that back.
I was planning on getting a Roku 1, which ironically is only $50 on Amazon. But now this comes out. I’ll have to wait and see if it gets good reviews - if it really has good voice search like it claims…
I’ll probably end up getting it (especially if we opt for Amazon Prime at some point). But there’s a data point missing here.
For anyone who already has at least a small share in the Apple ecosystem (desktop, laptop, or iPhone), the Apple TV is hard to beat, especially if you manage your music and other media via iTunes. Nearly everything is accessible, and for everything that is, it’s all extremely controllable via the Apple TV. Netflix and all the other media it accesses is easy to control, and if you’re browsing something on your iPhone or iPad (like on YouTube or something), it’s two clicks away from being pushed to your TV screen.
I agree, and the AppleTV is still my go-to device for most stuff, but these devices are stunningly inexpensive for what they do (even the Apple one), and at the risk of sounding like Mr. Moneypants, having more than one gives you a broader range of options (particularly since the two biggest sources–Amazon and iTunes–aren’t available on any single device).
My bigger problem is that I bought my TV back in 2005 or so. “HDMI? It’s a super-expensive cable to solve a problem nobody has! That’ll NEVER catch on; it’ll be dead in a year! 2 HDMI ports is plenty; I’ll probably never use either of them!”
Oh, well. I refuse to get a new TV just to get more ports now.
Of course, if you don’t own a single Apple product (like me), then Apple TV basically becomes useless compared to a Roku or Amazon Fire TV or Chromecast.
Yeah, every since the first generation came out, they’ve called it their “hobby”. It’s a great little device, and I see them frequently on craigslist, where you can usually get one for $50 if you keep your eyes peeled. They’ve slowly been making solid improvements to it (getting HBO GO was awesome). I think Apple is just biding their time until they can make a giant splash into the sector, by making some sort of deal with either a cable provider or an assortment of cable channels, and REALLY give you a reason to cut cable.
I was kind of surprised when they weren’t at the table when Time Warner went up for sale.
I also think that somewhere down the line, Amazon will be offering these things with a Prime membership, or throw in 3-6 months of Prime with purchase. I’m holding off for now. But it’ll certainly take up the HDMI slot that the Chromecast is wasting.