Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K gains Miracast screen mirroring with latest software update

Posted by Elias Saba on — 26 Comments

The new 6.2.6.3 software update that is currently rolling out to the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K has added support for screen mirroring through the Mircast standard. This allows customers with compatible phones, tablets, and computers to wirelessly mirror their device’s screen to the Fire TV Stick 4K, as if it were an attached monitor. Screen mirroring support was available on earlier Fire TV models, such as the Fire TV Stick 2 and Fire TV 2, but was dropped when Fire OS 6 arrived on the Fire TV 3. This latest Fire TV Stick 4K software update marks the first time screen mirroring has been made available on modern Fire TV hardware and Fire OS 6. Read more ›

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Software update 6.2.6.3 is rolling out to the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K

Posted by Elias Saba on — 31 Comments

A new software update is currently rolling out to the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K. The update carries software version 6.2.6.3 and a build value of NS6263/2349. Amazon is already listing the new update on their Fire TV Device Software page and it’s only listed as the latest version for Fire TV Stick 4K, so it does not seem like other models will be receiving this new update at this time. I haven’t spotted any changes with this update yet, but please let everyone know in the comments below if you notice any changes after receiving the update.

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Amazon Fire TVs can now automatically connect to Wi-Fi without you needing to enter your Wi-Fi password

Posted by Elias Saba on — 4 Comments

The new 5.2.6.9 software update for older Fire TVs and 6.2.6.0 software update for newer Fire TVs has added support for Amazon Wi-Fi simple setup. The feature is part of Amazon’s “Frustration-Free Setup” program that debuted with the Amazon Smart Plug and has since been added to newer Amazon Echo devices. Its goal is to get a new Amazon device up and running with as little customer input as possible. Wi-Fi simple setup on Fire TVs means the next Fire TV you purchase can automatically connect to your Wi-Fi network without you needing to enter a password, that is, if you opt into the feature ahead of time. Read more ›

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New color format option on Amazon Fire TVs will automatically select whether RGB or YCbCr is best for your TV

Posted by Elias Saba on — 1 Comment

The new 6.2.6.0 software update that is rolling out to the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, Fire TV Cube, and Fire TV 3 (pendant) is adding a new third “Auto” option to the existing Color Format setting, which previously only allowed customers to select from “RGB” or “YCbCr.” When set to Auto, which is the new default configuration, the Fire TV may decide to switch its color format setting if one is better than the other for your particular TV model. Read more ›

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Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, Fire TV Cube, and Fire TV 3 are receiving software update 6.2.6.0

Posted by Elias Saba on — 27 Comments

A new software update is currently rolling out to the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, Fire TV Cube, and the Fire TV 3 (pendant). This update carries version number 6.2.6.0 and a build value of NS6260/1840. This updated is essentially the Fire OS 6 version of the 5.2.6.9 software update that has been rolling out to Fire OS 5 devices, which are the Fire TV 1, Fire TV 2, Fire TV Stick 1, and Fire TV Stick 2. I’m told these updates are not rolling out to any Fire TV Edition televisions at this time. Like the 5.2.6.9 update for older models, this 6.2.6.0 update for newer models removes the ability to move apps on the home screen / app grid screen and replaces it with a new pinning option. Read more ›

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Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K receives first software update since launch with audio fixes and improved DVR options

Posted by Elias Saba on — 64 Comments

A new software update is currently rolling out for the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K. This is the first updated the new streamer has received since it launched a month and a half ago. The update brings the operating system up to version 6.2.5.8, which is the same version that the Fire TV Cube recently received, but the Fire TV Stick 4K has a slightly different build value of NS6258/1604. Amazon has not yet said anything about this update, but several customers are reporting that it has fixed an audio dropout issue that they were experiencing with the Fire TV Stick 4K. The update also modifies the Fire TV Recast menus slightly to make it easier to manage DVR settings and recorded content. Read more ›

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Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Teardown reveals Dual Antenna “Bricks” and Thick Metal Heatsinks

Posted by Elias Saba on — 13 Comments

My hardware comparison of the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K gives you an idea of how much Amazon’s streaming sticks have grown over the years. What it doesn’t reveal is how much they’ve changed under their unassuming black plastic housing. I cracked open one of the 4K Firesticks and was surprised to find that it’s nearly covered from head to toe in thick metal heat sinks on both sides. The teardown also gives us a look at the hardware behind the antenna technology that Amazon invented for their new compact media player. Read more ›

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Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K supports external USB drives and USB peripherals via an OTG cable

Posted by Elias Saba on — 54 Comments

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K doesn’t officially support connecting anything to it except Amazon’s Fire TV Ethernet Adapter, but, using an inexpensive OTG cable it’s possible to use USB peripherals, such as keyboards and wired gamepads, as well as external USB drives. The support for USB drives, in particular, isn’t as thorough as the Fire TV Cube, which does officially support external storage, but it’s much better than the Fire TV 3 (pendant), which the Fire TV Stick 4K has replaced, so it’s a step in the right direction. Read more ›

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Kodi, Downloader, and APK Sideloading work just fine on the new Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K

Posted by Elias Saba on — 15 Comments

For those who want explicit confirmation, the new Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K has not made any changes regarding to installing 3rd-party apps. You can sideload APKs in the exact same way as with any other Fire TV model. My Downloader app works on the new Fire TV Stick 4K and the same developer options, which let you allow apps from unknown sources, are present on the device. Kodi, the most popular app to sideload, works as expected and the Kodi icon appears on the home screen in both the Recent and App rows. To install the latest stable version of Kodi, enter bit.ly/kodi176 into the URL field in my Downloader app, or enter bit.ly/kodi18beta4 for the latest v18 Beta 4 version of Kodi.

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Fire TV Stick 4K Benchmarks — The most powerful streaming device in Amazon’s lineup

Posted by Elias Saba on — 77 Comments

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K has been released and what people want to know most is how powerful it is compared to previous Fire TV and Fire TV Stick models. I tested the Fire TV Stick 4K and all other Fire TV models with several popular benchmarking tools and have learned that it’s easily the most powerful streaming device in Amazon’s current lineup. Here are the results. Read more ›

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