Amazon is expanding its Fire TV streaming hardware for the Canadian market. Coming later this month to Canadians are the Toshiba Fire TV Edition TVs, Fire TV Stick 4K, and the Alexa Voice Remote. Furthermore, Amazon will be adding Alexa functionality to all Fire TV devices in Canada.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K
The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K offers more robust features than the basic Amazon Fire TV stick released last year. In addition to the improved resolution, the Fire TV Stick 4K is also the first Amazon Fire TV Stick to support both HDR10+ and DolbyVision HDR standards, expanding its compatibility with different HDR TVs. Its setup, however, hasn’t changed. Simply plug it into any TV with an HDMI input to turn it into a streaming station for Netflix, Amazon Prime Movies, and Hulu.
Toshiba Fire TV Edition TVs
The Toshiba Amazon Fire TV Edition smart TV is offered in 4K UHD, 1080p, and 720p resolutions. The 4K UHD version is available in 43″, 50″, and 55″ screen sizes. The 1080p model is available in 43 and 49″, while the 720p model is restricted to 32″.
All models have Amazon Fire TV pre-installed and include an Alexa Voice Remote. Users can navigate the TV’s software interface either with the remote’s hardware buttons or send direct voice commands via its microphone. When paired with the Fire TV software, Alexa is capable of projecting visual information onto the TV screen, offering more detailed answers to inquiries like weather and traffic.
Alexa Voice Remote
The Alexa Voice Remote provides hands-free control to your Fire TV. Simply press a switch on the remote, and it will relay your voice commands to Alexa on the Fire TV.
In addition to launching shows, movies, and music, the remote can be used to manage Alexa compatible smart home devices, check the weather, and make orders through Amazon.
The remote also features dedicated buttons for volume and playback options. Keep in mind that while it’s fully compatible with the Amazon Fire TV stick, Amazon Fire TV Cube, and the Amazon Fire TV box, it does not work with Amazon Fire TV Edition smart TVs.
Canadian availability and price
The Toshiba Fire TV Smart TVs are available for pre-order today from Amazon and BestBuy, and will start shipping on Oct. 19. They’ll also be available in-stores exclusively at Best Buy.
Customers can pre-order the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K and the Alexa Voice Remote bundle for $69.99. The Alexa Voice Remote is available as a standalone pre-order for $39.99. Both products will start shipping on Oct. 31.
Streaming is booming
Consumers widely consider streaming support to be a fundamental feature of smart TVs. In an 2018 report, IHS Markit predicts that Smart TV market share will rise to 70% of all television segment in 2018. The report points to content and convenience as the key growth factors. Viewers are turning to streaming to watch major sporting events, news livestreams, and on-demand content. And as voice assistant integration with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa becomes commonplace, the added convenience for control further extends streaming’s appeal.
