Amazon has released a new 2nd generation version of the Alexa Voice Remote Lite that is bundled with the Fire TV Stick Lite. The new remote is identical to the previous version, which debuted in 2020, except the new version now has four app shortcut buttons along the bottom. Also changed on the new 2nd-gen remote is the voice command button which has been changed from a black button with a microphone icon to a blue button with the Alexa logo.
With the arrival of this new remote, and the remote being swapped into the Fire TV Stick Lite bundle, all current Fire TV models now have remotes with app shortcut buttons. The transition to Fire TV remotes with app buttons began with the release of the 3rd-gen Alexa Voice Remote early last year. It was immediately bundled with the 3rd-gen Fire TV Stick. The newer remote was included with the Fire TV Stick 4K Max when it was announced late last year and then slowly made its way into the rest of Amazon’s premium Fire TV models. The Fire TV Stick 4K was bundled with the new remote next and then the Fire TV Cube saw it added next.
1st-Gen (left) and 2nd-Gen (right) Alexa Voice Remote Lite.
With only the Fire TV Stick Lite left with a remote that didn’t have app shortcut buttons, it was inevitable that a new remote would be released. The new 2nd-gen Alexa Voice Remote Lite, which carries model number E4GE9R and appears to be code named “Eiger,” first appeared in regulatory filings last month. Oddly, Amazon does not sell either of the Alexa Voice Remote Lite remotes separately. You can only get it when you purchase a Fire TV Stick Lite, but Amazon does still sell the older Fire TV Stick Lite bundled with the older remote as well. I expect that will end once Amazon sells out of its current supply of older remote bundles.
The difference between the regular Alexa Voice Remote and the new Alexa Voice Remote Lite is the inclusion of power and volume buttons on the regular Alexa Voice Remote for controlling your TV, soundbar, and more. In order to release the Fire TV Stick Lite at just $29.99, compared to the regular Fire TV Stick at $39.99, cuts had to be made and the remote’s additional functionality took the brunt of that cost reduction. The addition of app shortcut buttons on the new 2nd-gen Alexa Voice Remote, which are said to be paid for by streaming services, Amazon’s profit margin for the Fire TV Stick Lite should increase slightly.
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Hello,
I have gotten a Fire-TV Cube whose performance is absolutely superb to the Fire-TV Gen2. I have already disabled Alexa with the top button, however, it is very dangerous since it can be re-enable literally “by the touch of a button”.
Is there any more permanent way than the top button to disable Alexa on the Fire-TV Cube device?
No, that’s the only way.
If you really want to get rid of the button cut the top of the button off with a razor knife and put black tape over the hole.
I got my Lite during the $4.99 deal but I won’t buy another FTV without a volume control, that’s just too convenient so I’ll pay more for it, I’ve learned my lesson.
I’ve taken the batteries out of the fire remote and chucked it in a drawer. Everything can be controlled from the TV remote anyway.
I got the new remote with the firestick 4k max.
The remote that comes with the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is different from this new remote that just got released. Your remote has TV power and volume buttons, while this new remote does not, since it’s meant to only be included with the much less expensive Fire TV Stick Lite.