New Amazon Fire TV gets 4K support

PanARMENIAN.Net - The long-awaited Apple TV revamp might only have been announced last week, but it's already facing renewed competition as Amazon unveils its second-generation Amazon Fire TV, Digital Spy reports.

The online retailer-turned-hardware pusher's popular set-top box has been given a specs boost, adding 4K content support in the process.

Offering access to its already blossoming array of Amazon Prime-based UHD content, Fire TV's day-one 4K line-up includes movies such as Elysium, Fury and Ghostbusters 2, while UHD TV shows are covered off by the likes of Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, The Blacklist and the full fleet of Amazon Originals.

Content aside, the new box retains the same physical design and interface as its predecessor, with the changes coming under the hood.

The new model has added 75% more power thanks to a new 64-bit, quad-core MediaTek processor, with Wi-Fi strength being improved along the way.

The box's voice-controlled remote has also jumped on the Wi-Fi bandwagon, ditching its former Bluetooth-loving ways for a low-latency, battery-friendly connection.

With 8GB of internal storage, heavy gamers can now expand the device's storage capacity - up to 128GB - thanks to the use of a microSD card.

"The team has packed an incredible amount of technology and innovation into a tiny package," Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos said of the device. "The new Fire TV includes 4K support, more processing power, great selection, and exclusive features - for less than £80."

Available to order from September 17, the second-gen Amazon Fire TV set-top box, which comes with a free month of Amazon Prime access, will set wannabe owners back £79.99.

The device will start shipping out to customers from October 5.