Not bad. No remote was the #1 reason why I didn't choose a Chromecast for my mother in law. She only wanted Netflix but I end up getting her a bluray since I couldn't find anything cheaper that was as convenient. Still, I would recommend getting a wired Ethernet solution when you can.
It has a physical remote for convenience if my phone is tied to a charger but the ability to control it with a smartphone or tablet of my choice will make for an even better remote.
the extra flash means a much bigger buffer, a big deal for those on slow or unreliable internet connections (whether it be your wifi, firewall, or ISP to blame).
and it'll only use a couple of watts to stream 720p or 1080p saving me vs the 30+ watts my old Wii was using streaming netflix, hulu, amazon prime at 480p.
Don't let the wattage rating of the wall wart fool you, something this small isn't using 16W and neither is the bigger Fire TV box.
Hrm, that's intriguing. Still no Ethernet port, but a handy little remote. Wonder if one could install the Plex app onto that thing? If so, this just got interesting. But still no Ethernet port. :(
Did I mention it doesn't have an Ethernet port? I have Cat5e to my entertainment stand, and only 802.11g available at home. Ethernet would work so much nicer than wireless.
The size and shape of the FireTV Stick is great. And it has the right amount of oomph to it. But it lacks the Ethernet port. It's not really worth an extra $60 US to get an Ethernet port, especially considering the size difference.
Release a streaming stick running Android with a remote and an Ethernet port and I'm sold! I'll even buy 2 (one for home, one for travel).
Its for the stick only and a free 30 day trial to Prime and Netflix. After that $39/mo and i strongly believe its only Prime (Instant Video) and not the entire Amazon Prime Subscription. I have the full subscription and debating if this is for me. I really like the interface and has many of the other apps our family uses, netflix, amazon, hulu, pandora, youtube. But we also surf other areas of the web which will limit this if i choose this route. So in the end as a full Amazon Prime Member, I see a problem that we don't get to have this interface too, or have a the stick included.
I don't know what you're talking about with "$39/mo". There is no monthly fee for the stick or for a partial prime subscription. Prime right now is $99 a year for all features, and will work with any compatible device, including the Fire TV Stick, Fire TV, their tablets, game consoles, or on web browsers in SD.
it processes signal from the internet, it has a dual core chip for CPU and a GPU and wifi and connects directly to netflix, hulu, etectera so long as you have WIFI in the location. No desktop or laptop is required. You can toss one of these in your pants pocket or suitcase and plug into a TV at a hotel on travel and connect to hotel wifi to stream with no PC involved.
Just placed my order for one. At 20 bucks, why not? Note the $20 off offer states "limit 1" and also be careful if you have 1-Click enabled as the offer states the discount won't be applied to 1-Click purchases.
Note estimated delivery date on my order was December 24, apparently this is a hot item and completely sold out now!
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danbob999 - Monday, October 27, 2014 - link
Not bad. No remote was the #1 reason why I didn't choose a Chromecast for my mother in law. She only wanted Netflix but I end up getting her a bluray since I couldn't find anything cheaper that was as convenient.Still, I would recommend getting a wired Ethernet solution when you can.
dhanson8652 - Monday, October 27, 2014 - link
I bought 2 at the half price.It has a physical remote for convenience if my phone is tied to a charger but the ability to control it with a smartphone or tablet of my choice will make for an even better remote.
the extra flash means a much bigger buffer, a big deal for those on slow or unreliable internet connections (whether it be your wifi, firewall, or ISP to blame).
and it'll only use a couple of watts to stream 720p or 1080p saving me vs the 30+ watts my old Wii was using streaming netflix, hulu, amazon prime at 480p.
Don't let the wattage rating of the wall wart fool you, something this small isn't using 16W and neither is the bigger Fire TV box.
phoenix_rizzen - Monday, October 27, 2014 - link
Hrm, that's intriguing. Still no Ethernet port, but a handy little remote. Wonder if one could install the Plex app onto that thing? If so, this just got interesting. But still no Ethernet port. :(Did I mention it doesn't have an Ethernet port? I have Cat5e to my entertainment stand, and only 802.11g available at home. Ethernet would work so much nicer than wireless.
Reflex - Monday, October 27, 2014 - link
It supports Plex, they added support almost immediately after launch of the first FTV.phoenix_rizzen - Wednesday, October 29, 2014 - link
Excellent! Too bad it's (Fire anything) not available in Canada. :(RU482 - Tuesday, October 28, 2014 - link
Ethernet port....sounds like you want a FireTV box for FireTV stick prices!phoenix_rizzen - Wednesday, October 29, 2014 - link
Exactly! :)The size and shape of the FireTV Stick is great. And it has the right amount of oomph to it. But it lacks the Ethernet port. It's not really worth an extra $60 US to get an Ethernet port, especially considering the size difference.
Release a streaming stick running Android with a remote and an Ethernet port and I'm sold! I'll even buy 2 (one for home, one for travel).
Papaspud - Monday, October 27, 2014 - link
For $19, if you are a prime member, why not. Same price as 2 tickets to a cheap movie.Brandon Chester - Monday, October 27, 2014 - link
I just paid $19.50 to go see Interstellar in 15/70 IMAX. $19 is basically nothing for the Fire TV Stick.ipebble - Tuesday, October 28, 2014 - link
Its for the stick only and a free 30 day trial to Prime and Netflix. After that $39/mo and i strongly believe its only Prime (Instant Video) and not the entire Amazon Prime Subscription. I have the full subscription and debating if this is for me. I really like the interface and has many of the other apps our family uses, netflix, amazon, hulu, pandora, youtube. But we also surf other areas of the web which will limit this if i choose this route. So in the end as a full Amazon Prime Member, I see a problem that we don't get to have this interface too, or have a the stick included.barleyguy - Wednesday, October 29, 2014 - link
I don't know what you're talking about with "$39/mo". There is no monthly fee for the stick or for a partial prime subscription. Prime right now is $99 a year for all features, and will work with any compatible device, including the Fire TV Stick, Fire TV, their tablets, game consoles, or on web browsers in SD.Hrel - Monday, October 27, 2014 - link
So, does this process signal or simply receive it from a desktop/laptop that's actually running the content?dhanson8652 - Monday, October 27, 2014 - link
it processes signal from the internet, it has a dual core chip for CPU and a GPU and wifi and connects directly to netflix, hulu, etectera so long as you have WIFI in the location. No desktop or laptop is required. You can toss one of these in your pants pocket or suitcase and plug into a TV at a hotel on travel and connect to hotel wifi to stream with no PC involved.Ktracho - Monday, October 27, 2014 - link
Does anyone know if this device or another similar low-cost device can stream music/videos/photos from a NAS box?SilthDraeth - Monday, October 27, 2014 - link
It depends on the NAS box. Do you have something like an Asustor, or Synology?phoenix_rizzen - Wednesday, October 29, 2014 - link
And it will also depend on what app(s) you run on the stick, and whether or not they can access the NAS (support the right protocols).Since you can install apps, you can (in theory) do just about anything with it that you can do on an Android phone/tablet.
dgburns - Tuesday, October 28, 2014 - link
Just placed my order for one. At 20 bucks, why not?Note the $20 off offer states "limit 1" and also be careful if you have 1-Click enabled as the offer states the discount won't be applied to 1-Click purchases.
Note estimated delivery date on my order was December 24, apparently this is a hot item and completely sold out now!
dhanson8652 - Tuesday, October 28, 2014 - link
Maybe they added the limit later, when I did mine it didn't have a limit so I grabbed 2, and the estimated date on my order is Dec 2.Impulses - Wednesday, October 29, 2014 - link
My ETA actually stated January... I certainly hope it's way off, as Amazon EATs often are.