Last week, Google announced that user profiles were finally coming to Google TV devices next month. TW Electronics, the manufacturer of the Google-designed G10 remote that many Android TV devices have been shipping with, has revealed in a tweet that manufacturers can actually select whether they want to include a user profile button in place of the bookmark button that has been on all G10 remotes so far. Read more ›
Ever since the 3rd-gen Alexa Voice Remote was introduced, which gains a guide button and 4 app shortcut buttons compared to the older remote, it began being bundled with more and more Fire TV models. The 3rd-gen Fire TV Stick was the first bundle to receive it and the new remote was bundled with the Fire TV Stick 4K when that model was finally released in Australia, Brazil, and Mexico. Similarly, when the Fire TV Cube was released a month later in India for the first time, it too included the new remote. More recently, Amazon swapped the new remote into Fire TV Stick 4K bundles in many countries and, of course, the new Fire TV Stick 4K Max includes it. Now, the last Fire TV model with the old remote is losing it as well, as the Fire TV Cube has now been bundled with the new remote in most countries. Read more ›
The original Fire TV Stick 4K was first introduced in 2018 alongside the 2nd-gen Alexa Voice Remote, which brought TV power and volume controls to the Fire TV lineup for the first time. Since then, Amazon launched the 3rd-gen Alexa Voice Remote with the 3rd-gen Fire TV Stick and the Fire TV Stick 4K Max. Now, Amazon has also decided to bundle the 3rd-gen Alexa Voice Remote the original Fire TV Stick 4K. The new bundle costs the same as the old bundle and the old bundle is still available if you prefer to older remote. Read more ›
While looking for more information about the unreleased “Pico” Fire TV remote that recently received FCC approval, I stumbled on a regulatory filing in Japan for a new Fire TV Smart TV remote with Japanese text on its buttons. Since Amazon does not yet sell Fire TV Smart TVs in Japan, the existence of this remote seems to suggest that Japan will soon be among the next new markets for Amazon’s line of smart TVs. Read more ›
A couple of months ago, a new Amazon remote passed through regulatory filings with Brazil and the Bluetooth organization, carrying model number P4C6EN. That same remote has now passed through FCC approval in the US, under FCC ID 2AYT9-7426. While there is still no definitive evidence that this is a Fire TV remote, that does seem to be the most likely scenario. Read more ›
Image: YouTube
The Jeep Grand Wagoneer, which is the first vehicle to have Amazon Fire TV functionality built into its various screens, has reached dealerships. With its arrival comes a bit more information about Fire TV for Auto. For starters, the remotes that come with the system are identical to the Fire TV Smart TV remotes that come with all Fire TV TVs and soundbars in the US and other regions, with the exception of a car button. We also now know how front passengers will access the Fire TV experience through what appears to be screen-sharing functionality. Read more ›
Amazon is rolling out new software updates to Fire TVs and Firesticks that add a capability customers have been wanting for a very long time. It is finally possible to lower and raise the volume of Bluetooth audio devices, such as Bluetooth ear pods and Bluetooth soundbars, using the volume buttons on the Fire TV’s remote. Fire TV devices gained the ability to connect audio over Bluetooth in 2015, but the feature has been crippled by the inability to adjust the volume unless the Bluetooth device itself had built-in volume controls. That shortcoming is finally being addressed with the latest Fire TV software update. Read more ›
The recently released 3rd-gen Alexa Voice Remote for Fire TV devices has just gone out of stock this morning in the US. The remote is also out of stock in Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK. It’s unusual for a Fire TV remote to go out of stock at all but even more unusual given that this remote was released less than 4 months ago. My guess is that either Amazon is experiencing manufacturing delays, possibly due to the global chip shortage, or the upcoming new Amazon remote that recently passed through regulatory aproval is actually destined to replace the 3rd-gen Alexa Voice Remote. Read more ›
A new remote from Amazon has just passed through regulatory approval in Brazil, first spotted by Brazilian blogger Everton Favretto who let me know about about the find. I was then able to find the Bluetooth declaration listing for the same remote, which was published yesterday. While neither listing specifically labels this remote as a Fire TV remote, the information listed does match the specifications of existing Fire TV remotes. Read more ›
Remote manufacturer Remote Solution has announced the development of a solar-powered remote for Android TV streaming devices, as spotted by FierceVideo. The remote seen above is just a reference design using Google’s G10 remote specifications and isn’t available for purchase just yet. On the underside of the remote is a small solar panel that gathers energy from sunlight and light bulbs to, presumably, charge lithium-ion batteries. As long as there is enough light in the room, and you remember to place the remote face down occasionally, you shouldn’t have to ever change or charge the batteries in this type of remote again.
@AFTVnews