Offer expired, now $39. Many cable TV “cord-cutters” get their TV fix using an HDTV over-the-air antenna and/or a streaming video device like the Roku, Google Chromecast, or Apple TV. Amazon has just announced their new Amazon Fire TV Stick. The regular price is $39, but if you have Amazon Prime and order it by 10/29/14 at 6am Pacific, you can get it for just $19. Here’s a comparison chart against similar competitors provided by Amazon (click to enlarge):
Notably, Google Chromecast does not support Amazon Prime Instant Video and does not include a physical remote. Fire does not support HBO Go.
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I have an older Roku box that I’ve been using on and off for the last couple of years – it is useful for Plex which streams my own media from my hard drive to my TV and also for various kids shows on-demand from Amazon Prime Instant Video. (I cancelled my Netflix subscription after having kids since I don’t have time to binge-watch TV anymore.) So why am I going to buy this? Because my 2-year-old lost/hid/ingested the remote, and this new gadget is cheaper than buying a replacement Roku remote!
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That is a good deal. That being said you don’t need to buy a replacement remote. You can install the roku app (FREE) in your smartphone or iPod touch; it works beautifully. I actually prefer the app than the remote, IMHO roku remote buttons are horribly hard to press with poor IR range. The roku app works with Bluetooth so it doesn’t have this problem
Yes, that is a good suggestion. However, my situation was a little harder as I hadn’t used the Roku in a while and had changed WiFi info in the meantime so the Roku box was no longer connected to WiFi. I don’t think installing the app would work in that situation as there would be no way to communicate to the Roku without getting the remote first.
Don’t worry, I’m sure I’ll find the remote the day after I get this new stick! 🙂
Probably a stupid question, but what exactly do you accomplish with these sticks? It’s basically just turning your TV into a smart TV, right? Then, you have to have specific accounts setup with the different services? Does it also act as a DVR for antenna based reception? Is that what the storage is for? I bought Chromecast when it first came out by returned it because it didn’t seem to offer much, but perhaps it’s time to reconsider.
Not a stupid question, because I had the same questions! Hopefully someone will clue us in 🙂
I don’t know about what current smart TVs have to offer, as I have a dumb HDTV so these streaming devices allow me all kinds of things I can’t get otherwise. Netflix, Amazon Video, Plex App, and screen mirroring from a smartphone (whatever is on the phone is on the screen).
It seems like if I cut the cord, I should get an Amazon Fire TV rather than a stick. I don’t know.
What is the added benefit of the Fire TV box besides ethernet and digital audio out? I like the idea of less cords.
It’s quad-core vs. dual core processor, so can support more games if that’s your thing. Other than that, I’m not really sure why there’s such a big price gap between the two. I have two Fire TVs and love them.
I don’t care about games, I just assumed that a faster processor would be better for streaming. Am I incorrect?
I have Roku box too so I really don’t see the need for this but I’m getting it anyway just because of the portability factor, the idea that I may need it for a second TV and with the idea that if I decide I really don’t need it, it could make for a decent Christmas gift.
I have Prime yet the link shows $39. Not seeing the $19 as mentioned.
sorry. just noted that has to be by 6AM
Is Plex a free app on Roku ?
Good question… apparently it was free until December 2013 (I installed well before then), but now it costs a one-time $4.99 or is included with Plex Pass subscription. Grandfathered users that installed before Dec 2013 can still use the app for free.
https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/201198796-Activating-the-Roku-App
I missed the sale deadline but looks like anybody ordering now will apparently have to wait until after Christmas according to Amazon due to high demand for the product.
So, if you have multiple TV’s, can you have multiple sticks linked to the same streaming account (i.e. netflix or amazon prime) and watch on different tv’s simultaneously?