Amazon Fire TV Cube - Hands-free streaming media player with Alexa, Wi-Fi 6E, 4K Ultra HD
Fire TV Stick 4K Max features and functionality, plus:
- Twice as powerful as Fire TV Stick 4K Max.
- Hands-free voice control: simply use your voice to control your TV, smart home and connected devices. No remote required.
- Lets you control your compatible satellite set-top box with your voice and Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced.
- HDMI port so you can connect and control other entertainment devices with just your voice, USB-A 2.0 for added storage, Ethernet port 10/100 Mbps for wired access.
- Includes Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced (includes TV controls).
TL:DR – I just take this device for granted "Alexa turn on the TV" has just become totally normal. It works well, no issues in the whole time I've had it. It always sets the input to Amazon though, so you have to manually switch to Virgin Media, Blu Ray or whatever.
I have the previous version
The new version adds WiFi 6E which you likely don't need. You can find it new on Amazon here but its always worth waiting for a sale or geting a refurbished one.
This latest Fire TV Cube is a bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand it has Alexa built-in but on the other hand, it is fiddly to set it up with the now typical AV setup of multiple set top boxes an AV amp and speakers. Theres no HDMI cable in the box so you'll need one!
It is also odd that it does not have built-in Ethernet, although an Ethernet adapter is provided in the box. The very original Fire TV had Ethernet built in so it seems daft not to have it. I'm no fan at all of endless connectors to make things work. Hopefully eventually Amazon will reinstate an internal Ethernet port.
Alexa on Fire TV Cube enables you to tune to live TV Channels with select satellite boxes from Sky. You can also control compatible TVs, Soundbars and A/V Receivers from top brands like Samsung, Sony, LG, Sonos and others. It works with mine. The equipment control is a revelation. It works perfectly with my very old Pioneer TV, and my pretty new Onkyo AV Amplifier. I can turn the TV and amp on and off by voice now, and although the product comes with an Infra Red extender I didnt need to use it even thought there isn't good line of sight between the components of my system.
The setup wizard is automatic, just choose the brand of equipment and it works out how to control it. It was incredibly easy to make it work. This is the stand out feature of this product.
If you have Dolby Atmos compatible AV equipment then you'll welcome Atmos sound support in the Prime Video app and Netflix app (in some, not all content), and the support for Alexa in the YouTube apps too.
Overall, if you have an existing Fire TV device already this is probably not something you need although it is much faster than the earlier Amazon Fire USB sticks and the Alexa voice support for connected equipment is great and made me get one!
