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Everyone wants their voice to be heard and Amazon must understand this desire well. Last week it announced two new devices that let you use your voice to get what you want. In other words, your spoken wish is Amazon’s command.
Amazon’s Fire TV and Dash are two devices, like the Kindle, that are designed to bring Amazon products and content to you. Fire TV, a competitor to Roku, Apple TV and Google Chromecast, streams video, TV shows and movies to your television. Dash is a device that makes it easier to order from Amazon Fresh, an expedited delivery service. Both allow you to use your voice to enter information, making the process much easier and faster.
Fire TV
Fire TV is a small set-top box that connects to the Internet and your TV to bring you dozens of different services including Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus, YouTube, Crackle and more (though no HBO GO for now). You can also use Fire TV to play games such as The Game of Life, Minecraft, Sonic the Hedgehog, and You Don’t Know Jack. Check out the full list of available services and games at the Amazon Fire TV App Store.
Similar to the Kindle Fire, Fire TV runs a version of the Android operating system so you can download apps from Amazon onto your Fire TV. The apps range from video viewing apps, such as Netflix, to games, such as The Walking Dead. The device also links to Amazon Cloud Service so you can display any photos you have stored there, turning your TV into a digital photo frame.
Check out: Turn Your Computer into a Digital Photo Frame!
Voice Search
Fire TV comes with a remote that has a built-in microphone for voice search of Amazon Prime Videos. Press the button on the remote and speak your command such as “Leonardo DiCaprio” or “Downton Abbey”.
Fire TV will display your search results so you can choose which video you want to watch. Here’s Gary Busey demonstrating how voice search works on Fire TV:
http://youtu.be/HHoNQrxG_8M
Games
Fire TV has hundreds of game apps available with thousands more promised soon. Amazon is working on game development and expects to deliver games available exclusively on the Fire TV. Most of the Fire TV game apps are free and the average price for a paid game app is $1.85.
Here’s a preview from Amazon of games that will be available on the Fire TV:
http://youtu.be/ZlVLhqj1weY
Music
You can use Fire TV to listen to music from apps such as Pandora, TuneIn Radio, iHeart Radio and Vevo. (Note that voice search works in Vevo as well as Prime Video). You can also stream music you have stored in Amazon Cloud.
Amazon FreeTime
Parents who want to gain control over their children’s gaming and TV viewing will appreciate Amazon FreeTime. This feature, first introduced on the Kindle Fire tablet, lets parents set up a maximum of four separate profiles for their children. Using FreeTime parents can restrict the types of videos their children can watch, the apps they use, and the amount of time they can spend on the Fire TV. Amazon FreeTime is scheduled to launch on the Fire TV in May.
Screen Mirroring
The Fire TV can be used to mirror your Kindle Fire HDX screen onto your TV screen. You can also use X-Ray on your Kindle Fire to get more information about what’s playing on your Fire TV.
See, Kindle X-Ray β Quench Your Thirst for Knowledge for more information about Kindle X-Ray.
Availability
Fire TV is available from Amazon for $99. Game controllers are also available for $39.99 beginning April 24.
Amazon Dash
Amazon Dash may look like a fashion accessory for tech fans, but instead it’s a device to help you order items for delivery from Amazon Fresh. Fresh is a service that can deliver over 500,000 Amazon products to your doorstep within hours of placing your order and is currently available in Southern California, San Francisco and Seattle.
Dash makes the process of ordering from Amazon easier, letting you scan a product bar code or use voice control to add items to your Amazon shopping cart. You may start thinking of Dash as your magic wand — connect Dash to your Wi-Fi network and start filling up your cart.
Here’s a video showing you the Dash in use:
The device is free with the for members of Amazon Fresh, a $299/year subscription. You can find out more from the Amazon Dash page.
Your Thoughts
Are you excited about the Fire TV and/or the Dash? Do you like the idea of using your voice for commands? Do you wish Amazon Fresh were available in your area? Let us know in the Comments section below!
Harleena Singh says
Hi Carolyn,
This sounds exciting! π
Imagine someone listening to your commands, just as Gary says in the video above! Almost sounds like a dream come true or what you see in the magical genie movies. If you can use your voice to get what you want, or as you said that your spoken wish is Amazonβs command, what more would people want.
However, I wonder where all this would be available? Or perhaps they’ve just come out with this for a limited area depending on their reach. Makes me think what all my kids would do if they had access to this too! I guess having the normal TV would be alright for us for the time being unless one see how it all goes initially π
Amazon Dash seems nice for those who are keen on shopping and filling up their carts. I like the good changes Amazon keeps making, and you most of all, as you bring them all to us π
Thanks for sharing. Have a nice week ahead π
Carolyn Nicander Mohr says
Hi Harleena, Yes, the review of the Fire TV say that the voice recognition is very accurate which makes using voice search very handy. Instead of toggling through a keyboard with arrow buttons you can just speak what you want, which has to be much more efficient.
Good point, Harleena. I like that FreeTime will be available on the Fire TV so kids can’t accidentally watch inappropriate videos or spend hours watching shows or playing games.
I thought it was funny how a child narrated the video. I picture that kid running through the house with the Dash, putting a ton of items in the cart. You definitely don’t want your children knowing your Amazon password with that device!
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, Harleena.
Kaloyan Banev says
About 6 months ago, I bought something similar – no name, no brand, but Android based. Actually reading this article and looking how cheap it is, I definitely think to buy Fire TV.
Carolyn Nicander Mohr says
Hi Kaloyan, Yes, what makes the Fire TV really stand out are the voice search and gaming features. The price is very reasonable considering you’re getting both a video streaming box and a gaming console in one.
Josh says
I am playing around with picking up a Fire for my home. If it had HBO on it I’d do it in a heartbeat.
Carolyn Nicander Mohr says
Hi Josh, Yes, the Fire TV is certainly tempting. Adding HBO GO would require only a software update so if Amazon and HBO can reach an agreement, that channel may be coming to the Fire TV in the future.
Stay tuned to The Wonder of Tech for updates!
donna merrill says
Hi Carolyn,
Thanks for the great introduction to Amazon Fire and Dash! Sure glad I came over because I had no idea it existed.
I’m most interested in Amazon Dash! What a great way to order my stuff! No more writing lists that I forget to bring to the store, saves tons of time when shopping, and keeps me abreast of what I need!
I’m loving this device!
-Donna
Carolyn Nicander Mohr says
Hi Donna, Yes, the Dash looks so cool! I hope they either expand Amazon Fresh or expand who can use the Dash so more people can utilize its convenience.
You’re right, these are brand new devices from Amazon so many people didn’t know that they existed. That’s why I enjoy sharing exciting tech news here at The Wonder of Tech. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts with us, Donna.
Carolyn Nicander Mohr says
Hi Donna, Yes, if I lived in an area serviced by Amazon Fresh I would be very eager to sign up for that service and get myself a Dash. Imagine having that magic wand to order whatever you wanted.
Adrienne says
Okay Carolyn,
You know how behind the times I am on most things although you’ve helped me come somewhat into this century with a few things. I have to admit though, those are just too cool.
I think I would enjoy having someone on the internet stream to my TV so I’m sure when I upgrade my TV the next time, yes it’s an old one (shock shock) I’m going to have to consider this.
I also love the Amazon Dash because I do hate grocery shopping. They made an announcement that they’re thinking about charging us now for the bags that they bag our groceries in. Seriously! It’s already gotten to the point where you don’t do crap anymore for us, we have to bag them ourselves and take them to the car ourselves and now you’re going to charge me for the bags to even put the groceries in! This has become such a lazy darn society so having something like this just might be the way to go.
Thank you Carolyn and I loved the video by Gary Busey! I still love that guy no matter how crazy he is.
~Adrienne
Carolyn Nicander Mohr says
Hi Adrienne, Yes, seriously, how could I not put the Gary Busey video in this article? You’re right, you do need an HD TV to use the Fire TV, but maybe with your next one you will have HD!
The Dash looks incredibly cool. If Amazon Fresh came to my area, I would be getting a Dash right away! I hope that it comes to your area, Adrienne.
Arun Kallarackal says
Hi Carolyn,
It feels good to see how technology makes our life simpler and more convenient! How nice it would be to have voice search driven TV. I guess I could sit in front of one all day long! π
Also, from your article, I can understand that Fire TV is an allrounder, and can also deal well with- games, music etc!
Arun
Carolyn Nicander Mohr says
Hi Arun, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! Good point, with voice search on the Fire TV, you may never want to leave the sofa. Between games, music, TV shows and music you could be entertained for days!
Roshan says
Fire TV is by far the best TV set-top-box on the market. Although, right now I’m waiting for Google to come out with their Android TV. I think it will probably beat Fire TV outright.
Carolyn Nicander Mohr says
Hi Roshan, You’re right, the market for set-top boxes is getting increasingly competitive as more companies enter the arena. We as consumers are the winners when these boxes offer more features for reasonable prices.