Amazon and Stellantis, the auto manufacturer formerly known as Fiat Chrysler (FCA), have announced that the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer will be the first vehicles to come with Fire TV capabilities, dubbed Fire TV for Auto, built into their front and rear screens. Above is the first screenshot of the new touch-enabled Fire TV interface that will allow passengers to watch movies, TV Shows, play games, and interact with Alexa.
It’s still too early to tell for sure, but Fire TV for Auto appears to be far more than just a Fire TV streaming media player attached to the HDMI input of a car screen. The interface, which more closely resembles the old outgoing interface aesthetic than the new interface that will soon be rolling out to more devices, has been reworked to be touch-friendly, which is a first for Amazon’s streaming platform. A Fire TV for Auto-specific remote which has a microphone button for Alexa does come with the vehicle if you prefer to control the built-in Fire TV experience that way.
Image: Jeep Grand Wagoneer Concept Vehicle Front Screen. Fire TV for Auto not shown.
The included remote also has a dedicated button for Uconnect, which is Jeep’s in-house infotainment system that controls various car functionality. In the screenshot, you can see a new “Wagoneer” tab in the main Fire TV navigation menu, which is likely where the dedicated Uconnect button takes you. Fire TV for Auto is said to integrate with the vehicle’s Uconnect system to allow passengers to control vehicle features, such as climate controls and map navigation. It’s unclear if Fire TV for Auto just kicks you out to the standard Uconnect interface for these controls, or if Fire OS has its own interface for vehicle features.
Image: Jeep Grand Wagoneer Concept Vehicle Rear Screen. Fire TV for Auto not shown.
Fire TV for Auto will work on both the front and rear screens of the vehicle, either in sync with the same content playing on all screens or separately with different content on each screen. If the vehicle is not in Park, there is a “privacy filter” that is supposed to prevent the driver from viewing the front screen but allow the front passenger to enjoy the content during drives. Much like Fire tablets, Fire TV for Auto allows for compatible content to be downloaded for offline viewing, which is another first for the Fire TV platform. This will allow you to save on mobile data by downloading content while the vehicle is connected to WiFi and/or ensure you don’t run into buffering issues while driving through areas with spotty service. It’s probably safe to assume that only a small subset of apps will support downloading content.
In early 2020, Amazon revealed that Fire TV would be coming to vehicles. At the time, they said BMW and FCA would be the first automakers to integrate the new system. There’s no word on the progress of BMW integration or which BMW vehicles will get Fire TV for Auto. The Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are new large SUVs for the 2022 model year that will be officially revealed on March 11. These vehicles with Fire TV for Auto are expected to be available in Fall 2021 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
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Sadly, this will be the first “Fire TV” that I don’t buy, for obvious reasons. I’ll try to find some way to get some time with one if at all possible.
Just in: Elias Saba no longer cares about his audience! Will not buy latest Fire TV!
I knew it!!!! This guy shills out and just doesn’t care about his readers anymore!!! Pretty sad that a mere 60 grand scares off this guy from giving his readers what they want!!!11111
[Elias – Did I about hit all of the trolling tasting notes on this one? :)]
For real though, I am interested how this implementation will be received by the end users. Amazon seems to be making a real play into the automotive world now.
LOL! You’ve exposed me!
Once they’re out, I’ll see if Amazon PR can get me some time with one or at least get me in contact with someone at Jeep that can help. Otherwise, I’ll try to find one to rent for a day or maybe get lucky with a local dealership/salesman that doesn’t care if I mess with one for a few hours.
Get friendly with some of the YouTube Auto Reviewers in your area. They have good connections with the auto mfgrs. and get early access to the cars. Maybe they could let you join in on their preview of the car.
That’s a good idea, thanks!
“Privacy Filter?”
$20 says a work around for this will be posted to XDA within a week of initial public release!
On a related note, purchased my first new vehicle last year with the Android Auto Infotainment Center, was super excited.
What a turd, you literally can’t do anything with it (except navigation) what a waste of extra $$$. Much better off connecting your phone via bluetooth.
I’m curious about that filter as well. It could just be something that physically blocks the screen for all we know.
BTW, I too was disappointed when I first got my hands on Android Auto. I’d love to see Fire TV for Auto evolve to take over the car’s entire infotainment system.
I’m hoping since its starting in a FCA (Stellantis) vehicle that they’ll make it so you might be able to update other FCA vehicles, like my 2019 RAM lol, to that system or just install an update of sorts to it. I already have one of the latest infotainment system in it. The 8.4 4C NAV UAQ. That would be so awesome!!!!
Does the Jeep have it’s own cellular modem that you need a separate data plan for or do you use your smartphone for data? My experience while driving is that you can lose connectivity intermittently. I think many people would be disappointed if they try to stream on a long trip.
I think most people would have to plan ahead and download shows to view off line for seamless viewing. Another assumption is that all all passengers would have to watch the same show.
If you’ve got the money to pay for this vehicle then you probably already have smartphones for everyone in your family with a data plan so everyone can stream the shows they want to watch independently.
I want to see this android 9 styled launcher on other Fire OS 7 variant.