Amazon Fire TV: An OLED display with Alexa microphones
Amazon is pushing its Fire TV software with two new OLED TVs. One model even has built-in Alexa microphones – for greater convenience and hands-free TV control.
Previously, TVs equipped with Amazon's Fire TV software were limited to LCD technology. Now, in partnership with Grundig, Amazon is announcing the first OLED television that includes Amazon Fire TV and—depending on your preference—built-in Alexa microphones. The model without built-in microphones comes standard with the Alexa Voice Remote.
Muting possible
Are we really ready for TVs with built-in microphones? The world is in the middle of a fundamental debate: Should smart home devices be allowed to listen in or not? And yet, Amazon is announcing a television that offers exactly this feature: microphones that listen and wait to receive commands from your voice.
The microphones can be muted via a button under the screen if desired. Incidentally, the microphones are built into the television's speakers. Grundig confirmed to The Verge that LG OLED panels with Wide Color Gamut (WCG) are used and that HDR10 and Dolby Vision are supported.
55 and 65 inches
The Grundig OLED TVs with Amazon Fire TV, as well as those with or without Alexa microphones, will be available in 55- and 65-inch versions. The microphone models in the smaller size will cost 1299 euros, while those without this feature will cost about 100 euros less. In addition, all TVs offer Dolby Vision HDR and will include a 10-speaker system that is Dolby Atmos capable. All versions will be available starting November 21st and, for the time being, only in Germany and Austria.
In addition to the OLED devices, Grundig will launch eleven more LCD TVs with integrated Fire TV software. This partnership is a first step in Amazon's major internationalization plan. JVC-branded televisions with 4K and HDR for the UK are also planned. However, there is no release date for those yet.
Amazon Fire TV, as far as the eye can see
The Amazon Fire TVs function almost identically to Fire TV Sticks or streaming boxes. Compared to the sticks and boxes, however, they are optimized for television via antenna, among other things: the TVs then automatically open a menu to set everything up effortlessly.
It seems that with all these new developments, Amazon is trying at any cost to get a Fire TV into your living room. In addition to the new Fire TVs, an Anker soundbar was also announced that includes the Fire TV software. A revamped version of the Fire TV Cube with Dolby Vision support was also introduced.
When I'm not stuffing my face with sweets, you'll catch me running around in the gym hall. I’m a passionate floorball player and coach. On rainy days, I tinker with my homebuilt PCs, robots or other gadgets. Music is always my trusted companion. I also enjoy tackling hilly terrain on my road bike and criss-crossing the country on my cross-country skis.
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