Note: As of 1 Jan 2018, Google has blocked access to YouTube on Fire TV devices. The app now shows an error message which explains this. A clunky workaround is to install a web browser in the app store and browse to YouTube.com.
The Fire TV Stick with Alexa is already on sale in the UK and has been since 6 April.
The 4K Fire TV Stick is available to pre-order now and goes on sale on 25 October.
(Also see: Echo Dot could merge with Fire TV in harmonious entertainment mash-up )
The standard version with Alexa costs £39.99, which is £5 more than the outgoing version, but you’re getting more powerful hardware – and it’s still £5 cheaper than if you bought the old model with the Voice Remote upgrade.
The new 4K version costs an extra £30 and is now available to pre-order at £69.99.
What are the new features in the Fire TV Stick?
The standard Fire TV Stick may look identical, but the new Stick is slightly bigger than the old one. But most of the changes are inside. Here’s a summary of what’s new:
- Quad-core processor that’s 30 percent faster than the old model
- 802.11ac Wi-Fi – faster than the old model with 802.11n
- Bluetooth 4.1
- HEVC support
- Alexa is now integrated (will be a software update for older sticks)
- Dimensions: 84.9 x 30 x 12.6mm
Here’s what’s the same as the old version (read our review of the Fire TV Stick )
- 1GB RAM
- 8GB storage (not expandable)
- Support for optional game controller
- Output up to 1080p
- Dolby 5.1 output with passthrough for 7.1
The 4K version features a new diamond-shaped design (shown in the image below), and supports 4K/Ultra-HD streaming and HDR.
It’s also faster and more powerful thanks to a 1.5GHz (rather than 1.3GHz) processor and an extra gig of RAM. We’ve compared the two in the table below.
| Specification | Standard Fire TV Stick | Fire TV Stick 4K |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £39.99 | £69.99 |
| Availability | Buy Fire TV Stick | Pre-order Fire TV Stick 4K |
| Supported resolution | Up to 1080p HD at 60fps | Up to 4K Ultra-HD at 60fps |
| HDR10 support | No | Yes |
| Alexa Voice Remote | Yes | Yes |
| Quad-core processor | 1.3GHz | 1.5GHz |
| Memory | 1GB | 2GB |
| Internal storage | 8GB | 8GB |
| Audio | Dolby Audio | Dolby Atmos |
| 802.11ac dual-band MIMO Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Compatible with Amazon Ethernet Adaptor | Yes | Yes |
Alexa
- Alexa voice control for Amazon Video. You can now say “fast forward 2 minutes” to jump past the opening credits. And before the closing credits you can say “Next episode”.
- Universal Search means you can say “Find action movies” and Alexa will show results from Amazon Video, Netflix and other apps.
- Music playback. Just say “Play some pop music”
- Sports updates . Using Alexa, just say “give me my sports update” to see the latest scores. You can select your favourite teams in the Alexa app, either using a web browser or your Fire tablet, iOS or Android device.
The original Fire TV Stick launched in October 2014. There was an intermediate version which added the microphone-equipped remote control from the set-top box version of the Fire TV, but that’ was the only change.
Author: Jim Martin, Executive Editor, Tech Advisor
Jim has been testing and reviewing products for over 20 years. His main beats include VPN services and antivirus. He also covers smart home tech, mesh Wi-Fi and electric bikes.
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