Product Key Features
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Operating SystemFire OS
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Storage Capacity8 GB
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ColorBlack
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Generation2nd Generation
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ConnectivityBluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI
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ProcessorQuad Core
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Surround Sound FormatsDolby Audio
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Audio/Video OutputsHDMI
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FeaturesCloud Storage, Wi-Fi, Music
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TypeHD Digital
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Maximum Resolution1080p (FHD)
How to install your Amazon Fire TV Stick
- Plug your Amazon Fire TV Stick into your HDTV, or use the included HDMI extender
- Plug your Amazon Fire TV stick into wall outlet
- Turn on your TV and select the correct HDMI port
- Follow the on-screen instructions to connect your Amazon Fire TV stick to your home internet
- Enjoy!
Any digital video or music you’ve purchased through Amazon will automatically be available to use when you’ve logged on. Also, photos you’ve uploaded to your Amazon Cloud Drive will be available for viewing.
During set up, you’ll have the opportunity to download your most-used apps and log in. You can always add to services later.
The magic of the (new) Alexa voice remote
Since the day it hit the market one of the aspects of the Amazon Fire Stick that set it apart was its top shelf remote. In an era where Chromecast launched with no remote and an attitude about it, Fire Stick gave everyone a great remote.
(Here’s our complete guide on how to use Alexa, which includes Alexa’s Flash Briefings for news updates as well as how to manage your smart home products, calendar, and to-do lists.)
Previous Fire remotes were nothing to scoff at. They offered bluetooth support, Alexa voice search, could control your TV volume, etc. You could pull up a show by saying “play Scrubs.” Yet somehow the new version improves on what was already basically perfect.
How? By adding a smart channel guide button and quick select app buttons.
Smart Channel Guide Button
The biggest of these changes is the smart channel guide, which works like a streaming version of the cable guide button. With the press of a button your Fire TV will pull up a handy guide that aggregates all the live content currently streaming on your device.
Not just paid live Sling TV, YouTube TV, or Philo. This bad boy also pulls up your favorite live channels from free services like Tubi, Pluto TV, or IMDB TV. This feature has technically been available on Fire TV Sticks since 2020, but lets be real. Having the guide button on your remote means you’ll actually use the feature.
Quick Select App Buttons
Now, lets talk about quick select app buttons. How much mileage you’ll get out of this feature will wildly depend on personal preference. Any Roku owner whose remote has a PS Vue app button on it will tell you how annoying they can be.
Personally, we love these buttons. You can’t pick which apps are on your remote, you can’t reprogram the buttons. To be honest, you’ve just got to pray the services on your remote don’t go under. However, their inclusion here are important for streaming.
First they drive home a sense of common design that takes the stress out of picking up a remote at a stranger or your in-laws house. Every streaming device should largely follow the same pattern, and this brings Amazon Fire Stick’s remote into the same design space as Roku.
Best channels on Amazon Fire Stick
There are countless free channels and apps available via Amazon Fire Stick and Amazon Fire TV, but many of them require additional subscriptions. Here our five favorites. If you’d like to explore further you can find the best of the rest here.
1) HBO Max
The wait is over. After feuding between Amazon and HBO kept HBO Max off Amazon Firestick for most of Max’s first year, the service is available. Stream all your favorite HBO, Adult Swim, TCM, and Studio Ghibli content from one app with HBO Max.
2) Disney+
Almost all Amazon Fire devices support Disney Plus. Full list of compatible devices here.
3) Amazon Prime Video
If you’re already a Prime member, you’ll have access to Amazon’s full library. That includes thousands of movies, Amazon originals, documentaries, 4K Ultra HD movies, and what’s new on Amazon each month.
4) Netflix
Already a Netflix subscriber? Amazon Fire Stick makes it easy to stream. Here are our guides best movies on Netflix, and the must-see Netflix original series, documentaries, docuseries, and movies.
5) Hulu
Hulu and Amazon streaming devices go hand in hand. Offering a wealth of great movies, shows, documentaries, anime, and the must-see Hulu originals, Hulu is a must have. Hulu with Live TV is also a popular way of watching live TV online.
6) Crackle
This free service allows you to watch a fun list of movies and TV shows that rotate monthly, but you’ll have to sit through some ads.
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