Amazon unveils Fire TV Cube

Amazon has unveiled the Fire TV Cube, a hands-free 4K Ultra HD streaming media player that incorporates the same Alexa voice controls found in its Echo devices.

The Fire TV Cube is designed to make it easy for viewers to use Alexa to find TV shows and movies, hands-free from across the room.

Alexa can be used to navigate and control content in apps like Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, ESPN, Fox Now, Showtime, Starz, PlayStation Vue and CBS All Access. Amazon announced that voice controls for Netflix are now also supported.

The device is equipped with eight microphones and voice commands can additionally be used for actions like checking the weather, listening to the news and controlling compatible smart home devices.

In terms of picture quality, the device can support 4K ultra high definition (UHD) and high dynamic range (HDR) video at up to 60 frames per-second.

“We believe voice makes it easier for customers to control their entertainment systems and watch the TV and movies they care about, and it’s just the beginning. Amazon Fire TV Cube will only get better over time with the Alexa service always getting smarter,” said Marc Whitten, vice president of Fire TV.

The Fire TV Cube will be available in the US on June 21 priced at US$119.99. As an introductory offer, Prime members can pre-order the Fire TV Cube on June 7 and 8 for US$89.99.

The device joins Amazon’s line of Fire streaming devices, which in the US includes the US$39.99 Fire TV Stick and the US$69.9 Fire TV. Both these devices include an Alexa voice remote, though only the Fire TV supports 4K and Ultra HD video.