This is part 2 of a 4 part look at will in 2016.
Of the top-4 set-top streaming boxes, the Fire TV is the newest player on the market. Having been released in 2014, the Fire TV has become a serious competitor for your living room. How can the Fire TV overtake the traditional powerhouses of Roku and Apple TV to win your hard-earned money?
Here are our top 5 reasons why the Fire TV will dominate 2016.
1st: Side-Loading Apps
Of the top streaming devices on the market today the Fire TV is the only device that allows you to side-load unofficial apps that are not made for their device. Yes, Roku allows you to add unofficial channels, but these channels are still made for Roku. The Fire TV lets you add any Android .apk app to your Fire TV from the world of android apps.
The ability to add thousands of Android apps gives the Fire TV a huge leg up. For many, the only reason they want to do this is Kodi, which still offers many other great apps to pick from.
2nd: Amazon’s 5,000-Pound Gorilla
Amazon is quickly becoming a major player in the content distribution end of the battle for your living room TV. This dominance allows Amazon to get some exclusive content that is not available on other devices.
For example, when we interviewed the President of Fox Digital Distribution we asked him why Fox Sports GO was only on the Fire TV. He responded that they have a close relationship with Amazon, and it made the move an easy decision. Also you can see that HBO NOW came to the Fire TV before the Roku likely because of their already-existing relationship with Amazon Prime Video.
We believe we will see more Fire TV exclusives in 2016 that will help the Fire TV stand out.
3rd: Hello Alexa
The Fire TV was the first major set-top box with built-in voice. It is our understanding the Fire TV stick is the only stick with voice built in to the remote at this time. Amazon also seems to be the dominant leader in voice compared to other boxes like Roku and, surprisingly, even the Apple TV.
The ability to ask for a movie or the score to a game is a huge addition to the Fire TV. Amazon is also improving voice search every week with new features and bug fixes. The Fire TV not only answers your questions with a voice reply but additional details shown on screen to the Fire TV stands out.
4th: Gaming
Whereas all the other major streaming devices offer gaming, only the Fire TV offers an official gaming controller. This may seem silly to list as a reason they will win; however, it’s no small detail. The fact that programmers know what controller to program for allows more detailed designs and better game play.
Unlike the Roku and Apple TV that require you to use the remote that came with the device to play games, the Fire TV allows game designers to make games that only work with the game controller. This makes the Fire TV the best gaming box of the top-4 streaming devices.
5th: Inexpensive
The Fire TV is the least expensive 4K streaming box of the top-4 media players. 4K TVs are quickly growing on the market with an ever-increasing number of them sold every month. With limited options for 4K content on cable TV, a streaming box really is your best bet.
The Fire TV also has a powerful, less expensive streaming stick that is not 4K but makes a great streaming media player. All together if you want inexpensive without giving up power the Fire TV is the box or stick for you.
Conclusion
Amazon has set up the Fire TV to become the leader in online streaming video. In just a little over a year after it came out it jumped Apple TV in sales, and the Fire TV may see continued skyrocketing growth in 2016.
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