Amazon's Fire TV Stick has racked up a number of positive reviews in its first months on the market, making it a real competitor in the streaming TV category.
According to the San Jose Mercury News, the price of the device — $39 — is nestled snugly between the Google Chromecast at $35 and the Roku Streaming Stick at $49. Depending on your smartphone, subscription preferences, and penchant for gaming, however, the Fire TV Stick may or may not be the optimal option.
For those with an Amazon Prime subscription, which gives members year-round expedited shipping, as well as unlimited access to Amazon Instant Video — a solid alternative to Netflix — the Fire TV Stick is a no-brainer. For those who also have an Android smartphone, the choice becomes even more clear, as the Fire TV app enables an ultra-convenient voice search function.
"For heavy Amazon Prime users that don't care much for mobile gaming on their televisions, the Fire TV Stick is a fantastic purchase,"
IGN.com concluded in its review of the new device. "But if you're not a Prime member, or tend to use other services more often than Amazon's offerings, you'd likely be better off with Roku's option."
Roku's option is a bit more expensive, but for those who like to channel surf, the Roku offers a lot more apps to explore. Amazon Fire TV Stick, on the other hand, won't even support HBO Go until next year.
That still places it above the Chromecast, however.
As PC World noted this week, "Amazon has apps for Spotify, NFL Now, Vimeo, A&E, and PBS, none of which are available on Google's stick."
In the end, "If you're married to iTunes, then clearly the Apple TV is for you. If you've built up a library on Google Play, then pick the Chromecast. If you've already got a home filled with Fire tablets, then obviously the Fire TV Stick is the route to go. And if you prefer to remain as agnostic as possible, then buy a Roku."
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