$99 box from Amazon to take on Apple, Google, Roku - and doubles as a games console as well

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
4/3/2014 (4 years ago)
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)

It will cost users $99 -- Amazon has unveiled a $99 TV box intended to take on Apple, Google and Roku. It also doubles as a games console. Called the Fire TV box, the device runs a special version of Google's Android software.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The small box fits under a TV and comes with a remote with a built in microphone for voice recognition. Available as of today, it will allow users to download films and TV shows, along with apps.

Users can use a remote or buy a separate game controller for $40.

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The prices will be very affordable. Mike Frazzini from Amazon Games said each game will be priced like a phone app, costing on average $2. Popular games available at launch will include Minecraft, driving game Asphalt 8 and first person shooter Sev Zero.

Peter Larsen from Amazon says "It's incredibly powerful, and it's unbelievably simple.

"Tiny box, huge specs, tons of content, incredible price-people are going to love Fire TV," Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com Founder and CEO declared.

Bezos was quick to sing the device's any new virtues. "Voice search that actually works means no more typing on an alphabet grid . Our exclusive new ASAP feature predicts the shows you'll want to watch and gets them ready to stream instantly.

"And our open approach gives you not just Amazon Instant Video and Prime Instant Video, but also Netflix, Hulu Plus, and more. On Fire TV you can watch Alpha House and House of Cards."

The Fire TV service has been discussed with at least three major media companies. Fire TV uses Amazon's existing Prime TV and film on demand service, along with Hulu Plus.

The gadget, costing $99, is aimed squarely at Amazon and Roku's products along with Google's Chromecast.

Amazon already offers on-demand TV shows and movies free to customers who are members of Amazon's premium shipping service Prime.

Amazon has invested about $1 billion in exclusive video content in 2013, according to Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Youssef Squali.

Amazon last year introduced 14 televisions pilots, which it financed, and is now monitoring customer feedback to decide which ones to produce as full series.

The shows included "Alpha House", starring John Goodman, the Hollywood actor known for his roles in "The Big Lebowski" and "Argo." Bill Murray, of "Ghostbusters" and "Groundhog Day," also appears.

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