If you have an older TV and want to turn it into a smart one without spending much money, Amazon has a new option for you. The company just released the Fire TV Stick HD, and it costs $35(~Php2,000).
The biggest change with the new Amazon Fire TV Stick HD is how it gets power. Older versions needed a wall adapter and a long cable. This new one does not come with a power adapter at all. Instead, it uses a short USB cable that plugs right into your television. Amazon designed it to pull power directly from the TV’s own USB port, which means less clutter behind your screen.
If your TV does not have a spare USB port, you can still use any old USB-C phone charger and a regular wall plug to power it.
The new Amazon Fire TV Stick HD is also noticeably smaller. Amazon says it is roughly 30 percent narrower than before. That makes it easier to hide behind a wall-mounted TV or squeeze into tight spaces.
Performance has gotten a boost as well. Amazon claims the new stick is more than 30 percent faster than the previous version. This means it starts up quicker and loads apps without as much waiting. It also now supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, which are the newer standards for faster wireless connections.
The remote works with Alexa+. So, if you pay for a Prime membership or subscribe to Alexa+, you can ask it to suggest shows, dim smart lights, or resume a movie you were watching on another compatible TV in your home.
People in the US, the UK, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand can order it starting April 29. Other parts of the world will get access at a later date.