Amazon launches smaller Fire TV Stick HD in Australia
Amazon has launched the Fire TV Stick HD in Australia, priced at AUD $79.
The new model is about 30 per cent smaller than Amazon's previous HD stick and is designed to draw power through a television's USB port rather than a wall adapter. It is available for pre-order now, with shipping due to begin on April 29.
The launch adds a lower-priced option to Amazon's Fire TV line-up in Australia as streaming hardware makers compete for space in living rooms and for travellers seeking a portable way to access subscription services on different screens.
Amazon says the Fire TV Stick HD is more than 30 per cent faster on average than the previous-generation HD stick. It also supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, which should improve connection reliability.
Design changes
The new stick is narrower than the previous model, which should help it fit more easily into crowded HDMI ports on the back of televisions. The direct USB power option also means users may not need a separate power adapter, provided the television has a suitable USB port.
If a television does not have a USB port, the device can also be powered with a USB-C cable and a wall adapter. Amazon says this is intended to make the product easier to use both at home and while travelling.
The device will also introduce a redesigned Fire TV interface. Users will be able to pin more apps to the home screen, while navigation and recommendations have been reorganised to make titles easier to find.
Broader push
Streaming devices remain an important part of Amazon's consumer electronics business, alongside smart speakers, tablets and connected home products. In Australia, the market includes television operating systems built into smart TVs as well as separate streaming products from rivals such as Google and Apple.
With its smaller form factor and simpler power set-up, Amazon appears to be targeting households looking for an inexpensive upgrade for older televisions as well as customers who carry streaming devices between locations.
Amazon also flagged a software update for the Fire TV Stick HD in the coming months. A feature called Adaptive Display is due to enlarge smaller on-screen elements such as text and menus while also scaling larger artwork, with the aim of making browsing easier to see and navigate.
The device will also be sold through Australian retailers including JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks and The Good Guys. Amazon says 99 per cent of the Fire TV Stick HD packaging is made of wood fibre-based materials from responsibly managed forests or recycled sources.