Amazon has announced it’s rolling out an update for the Fire TV and Fire Stick streaming devices that improves voice search and offers more personalised recommendations from top apps.
Amazon says the OTA update now enables universal search voice commands with more than 75+ apps, including Netflix, which is more than rivals such as the Apple TV and Roku.
Apple has worked hard to sell fans on the concept of Universal Search within the 4th-gen Apple TV, but has so far been stingy when it comes to opening it up to developers. There are currently only 35 apps that work with the Siri remote in the US.
Related: Amazon Fire TV Stick review
Speaking of Netflix, the Fire TV devices now includes personalised recommendations from the pre-eminent streaming service as well as HBO GO (and soon HBO Now).
Finally, the update – which is rolling out today – enables users to request sports scores from the Alexa assistant, providing they’ve set it up within the Alexa app for Fire tablets, iOS or Android.
Amazon is feeling particularly bullish about the Fire TV devices at the moment, claiming its the most reviewed produt in the e-commerce site’s history.
It currently stands at over 100,000 reviews, with Amazon claiming it to be the best-selling streaming media player in the US.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
