The Amazon Fire TV Stick has been backordered ever since pre-orders began in October of last year. Offering the device to Prime members for just $19 pushed shipping estimates into 2015 overnight. Orders for the Fire TV Stick continued to outpace production figures through January and into February. Yesterday, the Fire TV’s little brother was still displaying an estimated shipping date of February 17th. Today, nearly 3 months since the device began shipping to customers, the Fire TV Stick is finally, for the first time, listed as in stock and ready for immediate delivery. Production was probably increased, and perhaps switched from sea freight to air freight, in anticipation of the ongoing offer which is giving Fire TV Sticks away for free to Sling TV subscribers.
I really like my Fire TV Stick, for $19… I wouldn’t buy it for $40 though. However I’d probably spring for the regular Fire TV next time it’s down to $79.xx as the benefits of Ethernet/Optical out with the better remote would totally make the extra $ worth it. Not to mention it’s faster w/ better support and has a USB port.