Amazon Fire TV Stick HD Announced – Slimmer Design, USB Power, and Alexa+
Even if some people think there is no longer a need for an Amazon Fire TV Stick, someone must not have told Jeff Bezos, because Amazon has announced a new Fire TV Stick HD model. With the ability to turn any television that has an HDMI port into a smart TV, a Fire TV Stick can be an excellent option for accessing a variety of streaming services and content, while also offering additional features. Now, the new Fire TV Stick is USB‑powered and has a few more surprises.
Announced in a press release and now available for preorder, the new Fire TV Stick HD promises to be the company’s slimmest design yet. Amazon states that the new Stick is 30% narrower than the previous model, and the company aims for users to take advantage of its portability. Additionally, it includes new user interface (UI) elements that Amazon is bringing to other devices, along with several quality‑of‑life improvements.
Whether you choose the new Amazon Fire TV HD Stick or not, there are still plenty of accessories that can upgrade your viewing experience, though the new UI elements should also help older models significantly. As of now, the new Fire TV HD will begin shipping on April 29 to those who preorder in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Australia, and the UK. The company states that customers in France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Poland, Belgium, Sweden, and the Netherlands may visit their local Amazon page to learn more about availability.
What’s Included with the New Amazon Fire TV HD Stick
Available for preorder at $34.99, the new Amazon Fire TV HD Stick features several improvements over previous models, including the newly redesigned UI that was explored earlier this year. The software redesign includes access to shortcuts, faster speeds, and new free, ad‑supported streaming channels (also known as FAST). For customers in Japan, the new experience arrives later in April and will include an exclusive hub just for anime. The new update is also rolling out to international users at the end of April.
For the new hardware, Amazon is promising 30% faster speeds than the last generation. A major improvement is that the new Stick can be powered directly through the USB port of a television via a small cable, without the need for an additional power adapter (though that remains an option). The new Fire TV HD also includes Wi‑Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, which Amazon promises will deliver more reliable connections for users.
If you live in the UK, Canada, or the U.S., the new Fire TV HD also includes support for Alexa+, Amazon’s latest AI assistant and “entertainment expert.” Alexa+ can offer streaming recommendations, provide information about the content you are watching (such as details on a specific actor), and control smart devices. Amazon is also adding a new Adaptive Display setting that makes smaller items—such as menus and text—larger for those who may have difficulty viewing them, while scaling other UI elements accordingly.
