While there have been several smart TVs that have adopted Google TV, the version of Android TV that uses Google’s newer interface, the only stand-alone streaming media player running Google TV has been the 2020 Chromecast with Google TV. That changes with the release of a new streaming stick from Realme in India this week. Additionally, there are a couple of new features coming to Google TV next month. Here’s an overview of the new streaming device and those new Google TV features. Read more ›
Amazon has just released the Fire TV Cube in India. This is the first time Amazon’s flagship Fire TV model has been available in India, where, before today, the Fire TV Stick 4K was the best Fire TV model one could buy. In another first, the Fire TV Cube for India is being bundled with the new Alexa Voice Remote which, unlike past remotes, includes app buttons. This is the first time the Fire TV Cube in any region has been bundled with the new remote. Read more ›
Croma, a popular electronics retailer that is part of the Tata Group, has just released 5 new Fire TV Edition televisions in India. The new models range in size from 32 inches to 55 inches and include 720p, 1080p, and 4K resoultion sets. The new models start at ₹17,999 (~$248 USD) and top out at ₹46,499 (~$641 USD) for the 55 inch TV with Dolby Vision. Read more ›
Amazon has announced that it will begin manufacturing Fire TV Sticks in India. This will be the first Amazon device to ever be made in India. Fire TV Sticks will be made by Foxconn subsidiary Cloud Network Technology in Chennai, India. Amazon says that it will “be able to produce hundreds of thousands of Fire TV Stick devices every year.” Considering Amazon sells “millions of Fire TV devices” globally on Prime Day alone, it seems as though the “hundreds of thousands” of Fire TV Sticks made in India will be sold in India, while the rest of the world’s Fire TV Sticks will still be made in China. Read more ›
Amazon Prime Video has teamed up with Airtel, India’s second-largest mobile carrier, to announce Prime Video Mobile Edition in India, the streaming service’s first mobile-only subscription plan. The base subscription costs just Rs 89 (about $1.22) per month and includes 6GB of data, with more expensive plans available that include additional perks. Read more ›
Amazon has just launched its first Amazon-branded Fire TV Edition televisions using its AmazonBasics private label in India. The first two TVs being released, among several in the series, are a 55-inch model for ₹34,999 (~$480 USD) and a 50-inch model for ₹29,999 (~$410 USD). Both sizes are 4K UHD TVs with support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG high dynamic range formats, as well as Dolby Atmos audio. Read more ›
A few months ago, Amazon made Echo devices available in India for the first time, but as tends to be the case whenever Alexa arrives in a new country, the devices were only available by invitation. Amazon has now removed the invitation requirement, making Echo devices available to everyone. The Amazon Echo (₹9,999 or ~$150), Echo Dot (₹4,499 or ~$70), and Echo Plus (₹14,999 or ~$230) are available, as well as 3rd-party Alexa smart speakers such as the Harman Kardon Allure (₹22,499 or ~$350).
Amazon is continuing their expansion of Alexa and Echo devices to new countries. They announced a couple of days ago that Alexa and Echos were coming to Japan later this year and now have announced that they’re also being made available in India. The Echo devices are available by invite only starting today at an introductory price with a free year of Prime membership included. Read more ›
The Amazon Fire TV Stick has just launched in India, making it the 5th country where a Fire TV device is officially sold. The Fire TV Stick is priced at ₹3,999, which is about $62. Although it comes with a voice remote for basic voice searching, not surprisingly, Alexa is not available in India yet. It took Alexa over a year to make it to the UK and Germany after first appearing on US Fire TV devices. I wouldn’t expect Alexa to take that long to be made available on Fire TVs in India, but the voice assistant is not present at launch. Notably, the Fire TV set-top box is not being made available in India. I see this as a very good sign that a new 3rd-generation Fire TV, in addition to the “AFTN” device I discovered, is in the works. Read more ›
There have been several signs that India will be the 5th country to official see a launch of the Amazon Fire TV and/or Fire TV Stick. Last year I discovered that Amazon’s India site had a placeholder for an upcoming Fire TV page, which was promptly removed once I wrote about it. Then last month I noted an influx of India apps for the Fire TV, which is a sure-fire sign the device’s release in the country was imminent. Thanks to a tip, I’ve now found what I believe to be confirmation that the Fire TV is launching in India. Read more ›
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