The most powerful video streamer yet, Fire TV expands its reach

By Kris Wouk March 24, 2015

Amazon Fire TV Stick kit — Image used with permission by copyright holder

We called it “simply the most powerful and entertaining streaming HDMI device on the market” in our review of the Amazon Fire TV Stick. The streaming stick was a hit for Amazon, though it didn’t sell as well as Google’s Chromecast. Now Amazon is surely preparing for an uptick in sales, as the Fire TV Stick is heading to the U.K. next month.

The Fire TV Stick is set to launch in the U.K. on April 15, though pre-orders are available now. The retail price is £35, but a limited-time deal takes the price down to £19 for Amazon Prime members. If you’re not a Prime member yet, signing up for a 12-month membership knocks the price down even further to just £7. Considering the Fire TV Stick’s close ties with Prime Instant Video, membership is likely a good idea if you’re considering the purchase anyway — so this is a great deal.

Like its main competitors — the Chromecast and the Roku Streaming Stick — the Fire TV Stick can stream 1080p video with Dolby Digital sound, but that’s just where it begins. The Fire TV Stick is also a capable platform for casual games, though unlike its big brother, the Fire TV, you’ll have to purchase gaming accessories separately. The only other major differences between the Fire TV and the Fire TV Stick are the lack of an Ethernet port and voice control in the Stick, and a more powerful processor in the Fire TV.

The offers end March 26, so if you want to save on the Fire TV Stick, you’d better order it soon. If you’re still not sure, check out our review of the Fire TV Stick, as well as our comparison between it and the Roku Streaming Stick and the Chromecast.

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Kris Wouk is a tech writer, gadget reviewer, blogger, and whatever it's called when someone makes videos for the web. In his…

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