Last week Amazon started shipping
their new Fire TV Stick device to compete with the likes of Google's Chromecast. I've been trying out the Fire TV Stick since its launch date last week and have been happy with the device, especially considering its low cost.
The Fire TV Stick measures in at 1 x 3.3 inches and plugs into a standard HDMI connection like the Chromecast. The Fire TV Stick allows streaming movies, audio, etc. The Fire TV Stick is powered by a Broadcom Capri 28155 dual-core processor with Broadcom VideoCore4 GPU.
The stick has 8GB of internal storage and 1GB of system memory. Dual-band, dual-antenna MIMO 802.11g/n WiFI is supported along with Bluetooth 3.0. The specs have been very sufficient for the 1080p video playback I've been using it for the past few days -- it's a nice low-end companion to the
Amazon Fire TV.
The device is more or less the same size as the Chromecast, relies upon external USB for power (or the included AC adapter), and comes with a remote control. This remote control is similar to that of Fire TV, but lacks the voice functionality -- though you can use your Android/iOS phone as a remote control with Amazon's software.
Like the Fire TV, setting up the device is quick and easy... The setup procedures and the Fire TV Stick user interface are very similar (identical?) to the Fire TV.
While my multimedia needs are mostly limited to Amazon Prime Instant Video and Netflix, the Fire TV Stick has been able to easily fulfill these needs. The performance has been good, the Fire TV Stick feels more responsive in playback than the Chromecast, and the price is very affordable. I use two Chromecasts, a Fire TV, and now a Fire TV Stick for my limited multimedia needs. The devices are very low power, easy to maintain and control, and allow for worry-free operation while also being cheaper than building a Linux HTPC yet fulfilling all of my needs.
When the Fire TV Stick was first announced it was offered for a limited time at just $19 USD to Amazon Prime subscribers, which is when I placed my order. The normal price for the Fire TV Stick is $39 but I've already seen more deals putting it back around ~$25. At such a low price, the Fire TV Stick is a bargain.
The Fire TV Stick could also make a great holiday stocking stuffer. You can learn more or buy the Fire TV Stick from
Amazon.com.
