In terms of look and functionality, Android TV is by far my favorite media platform. However, it lacks a lot of the developer support seen on other platforms such as Roku and Fire TV. Recently a very clever developer created a solution to this, a mod for any Fire TV that essentially turns it into an Android TV.
Amazon has announced today that its Fire TV and Fire TV Stick media streaming devices will be receiving an over-the-air update that will enable a universal search that can find content on 75 different applications and channels. This means less time searching for a show and more time watching it.
Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: Twitter, RSS Feed, Facebook, Google+ and Safari push notifications.
Get last minute gifts in time for Valentine’s Day with free 1-day shipping from Amazon http://t.co/HoENzwqS21 pic.twitter.com/zknbYOMLdE
— 9to5Toys (@9to5toys) February 12, 2015
New products & more:
Fire TV owners who happen to be Spotify subscribers can now use the music streaming service on Amazon’s set-top box via controls from their smartphone or tablet. In addition to using a mobile device as a jukebox, Spotify Connect lets you seamlessly switch from Fire TV to your phone without disrupting music playback.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DfrPAAaSLU]
Amazon’s new Fire TV set-top box may seem like every other solution on the market, but there’s one big difference. Fire TV has built-in gaming features that will allow you to play compatible Android games that are available within Amazon’s app store. The bad news is, if you’ve previously purchased any of the compatible titles from the Google Play Store, you’ll need to repurchase them from Amazon. Check out the video overview above for an overview and demo of Fire TV gaming.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhKZ0fQhbeg]
Amazon recently surprised us with its Fire TV set-top box, offering a native solution for customers to stream movies, music, and even play games. Fire TV will only set you back $99, and in my opinion, it’s just what Amazon needed. Instead of relying on third-party streaming solutions, Amazon now has the power to take its media services in a new direction. Take a look at our overview video above to see Fire TV in action.