Amazon has released a new remote control for Amazon Fire TV devices. Or almost, because although it is true that it can be purchased individually, it also comes with the 3rd generation Fire TV Stick. So if you are interested, it may be more rewarding to buy the latter than just the remote.
The new remote for Fire TV
A few days ago it became known that Amazon had created a new remote control for Amazon Fire TV devices. A news that even made some think that new HDMI sticks or set top boxes based on Fire TV OS could arrive. Well, let’s say half and half.
It is true that a 3rd Generation Fire TV Stick has been launched that includes this new remote control and of which we will now tell you more details, but the new control is also sold independently since the HDMI stick is the same as there was.
Therefore, if you need a new remote control because the original has been lost or damaged, you can get this new version that adds the odd change that goes beyond what it implies on an aesthetic level.
Observing this new control, in terms of dimensions and form factor there are no changes. So you have to look a little more at the details to find them. Although there are two that are relatively obvious. Have you seen them? You may miss one, but the other is very eye-catching.
The first change affects the number of service shortcut buttons that are now included by default. If before there were two, now there are four and they give the option to go faster to Prime Video, Netflix. Disney + and Hulu (in the case of the one sold in Europe, it’s Amazon Music instead of Hulu). These are the four platforms that in the United States and Europe currently have the highest share or the most users demand.
The second change is the one that affects the button used to invoke or use the Alexa voice command option . Now that button is blue like the Alexa icon in mobile apps for example. What’s more, the microphone icon disappears and now it is the assistant’s logo that is visible. An interesting way to give it prominence and visibility by introducing it into a product as basic as a remote control.
For the rest, as we said at the beginning, it is the same remote control as always and with the same needs to use two AA batteries. Of course, this time it is only compatible with the latest second and third generation Fire TV models. The first generation is left out of being able to use it.
Although taking into account that it is worth 30 euros and the price of the third generation Fire TV Stick is only 39 euros, it is much more worth changing everything to find a new remote control. But if you still want to continue using your Fire TV without spending a euro, you can take advantage of the smartphone as a remote control for the Amazon Fire TV.
