Amazon will be releasing a Fire TV Remote App for smartphones and tablets this Wednesday in conjunction with the release of the Fire TV Stick. The apps primary purpose is to provide voice search capability to the Fire TV Stick since the Fire TV Stick does not come with a Voice Remote. However, it seems the app has a few more tricks up its sleeve as more information has emerged regarding its functionality. Read on for a list of what we know so far about the app.
What We Know
- The app will initially be released to both the Amazon Appstore and Google Play Store, and will come to the iTunes store for iOS later.
- The app requires Android version 4.0 (ICS) or higher
- The app communicates with the Fire TV Stick over the network via Wifi; not via Bluetooth like the physical remotes and controllers.
- To initiate a voice search, you swipe down from the top and keep your finger pressed as you speak. Release your finger to end recording and see your search results.
- Multiple smartphones/tablets running the app can be paired with and control the same Fire TV Stick, however only the first smartphone/tablet paired can perform voice searches.
- The app can simulate all button presses found on the physical remote and, therefore, can even be used as a controller for games to a limited degree.
- Swiping up, down, left, or right in the center (empty space) of the app is equivalent to pressing one of the directional buttons on the physical remote. Swiping and holding is equivalent to holding down one of the directional buttons on a physical remote. Tapping anywhere is equivalent to pressing the physical remotes “Select” button.
- Back, Home, and Menu buttons at the bottom of the app will simulate the equivalent buttons on a physical remote.
- Swiping up from the bottom of the app will bring up Rewind, Play/Pause, and Fast Forward buttons.
- You can use a virtual keyboard in the app to enter text on the Fire TV Stick instead of using the Fire TV Stick’s onscreen keyboard.
Amazon has made no indication that the app will work for the Fire TV, but I’d be shocked if a future Fire TV software update didn’t add compatibility with the app. Especially since we have confirmation that the Fire TV Sticks Non-Voice Remote will work with the Fire TV.
Update
The App has now been released.
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that’s pretty awesome. Any word if you can also control the mouse pointer if apps which require one? I imagine not, since the Fire TV specific apps are obviously designed to not need a mouse, but it’s wishful thinking for those of us that have side-loaded Android tablet apps like HBO Go, Xfinity, etc.
I would be shocked if the app acts as a trackpad with a mouse pointer. While that would be awesome for people like us, it would thoroughly confuse most people. Amazon’s documentation specifically mentions swiping to navigate, and not dragging a finger like on a trackpad.
Has anyone tried the ap with fire tv that is hard wired bia ethernet cable? I cant get it to find my fire tv it just keeps searching.
DroidMote is the app that let you control mouse pointer using android phone. It costs $2.99, but its totally worth it. I ordered some air mouses but one of them drained its battery within a week so that why I went to find an alternative for that issue, and DroidMote is the best solution to that. It does require your box to be rooted to have DroidMote install.
Can I use the app if my FTV is connected to the network by ethernet?
First of all, we still don’t have confirmation that it will work with the Fire TV. But assuming it does work with the Fire TV, yes, you will be able to use it with a Fire TV connected via ethernet.
Has the app been released yet? Can’t find it in Google Play store or Amazon app store.
No, it hasn’t. I’ll be sure to write a new post once it’s released.
Text entry alone would be worth the download…assuming it will work on Fire TV. *everything crossed*
The app is out now and the description says it will work with the Fire TV after 11/26.
well, I must have been a good boy this year ’cause I noticed that I got the FTV update. Lo’ and behold, Android Fire TV Remote App working like a champ on my FireTV. w00t!
Went to get the Fire TV Remote app for my tablet (Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 running KitKat) from Google Play and it says not compatible with my device. Says app is for phones. What gives?
Strangely, searching for it on the PlayStore delivered no results, but the link at the bottom of this page did:
http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/11/19/amazon-releases-official-echo-app-and-fire-tv-remote-app/
Even more strange, I cannot find it in the Amazon Appstore on my Kindle Fire HDX! My stick will be delivered today, so I’ll soon find out. I can always sideload the APK onto the Fire, if I get antsy!
Since XBMC and other side-loaded apps could benefit from a pointing device, could a WI-Mote or similar remote control app from the Play store be employed? Having read AFTVnews guide showing the steps for using a Wii hardware, but can an android phone serve as a virtual pointing device? thanks in advance for replies
I have a fire stick. Set up of the app is asking for the four digit code on my fire TV. What code? Where do I find it?
I have a amazon fire stick,, and have lost the remote control I downloaded the app for it so I can use it, however it keeps asking me for a 4 pin code, where do I find it?