In the latest of our Technology Product Reviews, Joe Lonergan in the NCBI
Labs team provides us with an insight into the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Ultra
HD with Alexa Voice Remote, a streaming device from Amazon that plugs into
your TV's HDMI port to give you access to your favourite TV shows, movies,
and subscription services.
Item Name: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K
Reviewed by: Joe Lonergan
Description
The Amazon Fire Stick 4K with Alexa voice remote is a digital streaming
device that plugs into the back of your TV through a HDMI port. It is an
accessible streaming device with a screen reader called VoiceView. It has
high contrast and a magnifier for low vision users. Initial set up was
difficult so I chose to have sighted help to set up the device especially
when it came to picking a language and the Wi-Fi network. Also, I needed
help linking some of the apps that I subscribe to such as Disney Plus,
Netflix and Apple TV Plus, mainly because I used the QR code option to link
the accounts and it was difficult to get the QR code into the camera square
without sighted help, but once initial set up was complete I was mostly able
to use all of these apps and access content.
VoiceView can be turned on by pressing the back and menu buttons for a few
seconds. After VoiceView started, the Fire TV launched a brief tutorial to
show you how to use VoiceView. You can exit this if you prefer.
The remote is really good because it has an Alexa button. It is easy to use
because there is not too many buttons, and it has a big directional button
with a select button in the middle. After a while it is quite intuitive to
use. I also linked it to my smart speaker. This was not difficult as I was
able to discover devices with a voice command and it found the fire TV on my
network.
I can give voice commands such as launch Netflix, Play Paddington on Amazon
Prime, play Ted Talks on YouTube and so on. If you choose to link your video
doorbell to the device, you can say Alexa show me the front door on Fire TV
and you will get a view of what is happening at your front door on your TV
screen. You can also turn off the TV if you are in a different room using
Alexa.
Unboxing / What are my first impressions of the item?
At first, I plugged it in but did not get any guidance with set up from the
device, so I needed some assistance. But after setting up I was very
impressed, and I was able to use most apps straight away. Also, it was a
pleasure to be able to find content with a voice command using Alexa.
I have been using this for a few days, how do I feel about it?
After a few days I got the hang of most features and I found myself using
the Alexa button to do a lot on the device like launching apps such as
Disney Plus or asking for programs by name. Naturally enough I found it
tried to use Amazon Prime as its default for most programs.
A lot of programs have Audio description on apps like Netflix, Prime, and
Disney Plus. This can be turned on universally in Settings> Accessibility
and audio description and select it to on.
Is it accessible?
Yes, it is fully accessible after set up.
What did I like?
I liked how easy it is to use after setup. I loved that I could connect it
to my Alexa smart speakers for handsfree use with voice commands. The voice
remote was good and easy to use. The remote also had an Alexa button which
is very handy.
It can turn your old TV into a smart TV.
What didn't I like?
I would have liked if it were easier to set up. The remote is not very good
when it comes to inputting text like passwords, but you can connect a
Bluetooth keyboard if you have one available.
Did it meet my expectations?
It met my expectations.
What improvements, if any, would I like to see in this product?
I would like if it were more accessible at the set-up stage.
Is there other/competing technology you have tried, similar to this item?
Yes, the Chromecast with Google TV. Both devices are so similar I am not
sure which one I prefer. They both support the same streaming apps. I seem
to remember the Google TV was easier to set up.
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