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The Amazon Fire TV Cube combines the streaming capabilities of the company's previous Fire TV devices with the voice-activated simplicity of its smart speaker Echo line. But perhaps the most intriguing thing about the Fire TV Cube is its unique ability to control other devices in the system, including TVS, AV receivers, and even cable boxes. Instead of fiddling with a bunch of remote controls, you simply tell Alexa to turn your system on or off, change input, adjust the volume, and play specific content in a wide selection of compatible apps.
The Fire TV Cube connects to a TV, AV receiver, or sound bar via HDMI. Like amazon's Echo device, it has a built-in speaker, but the cube's default function is to send audio over a TV or sound system. An array of eight far-field microphones lets the Fire TV Cube hear you summon Alexa, even if you're blaring your favorite music or watching a loud action movie. Once you get the attention of Alexa, you can use voice commands to control a wide range of functions. For example, when you first walk into a room, you can simply say, "Alexa, turn on the TV," and the Fire TV cube will turn on your TV, receiver or speaker, as well as your cable box. If you end up watching HGTV on cable, it will start playing on your system. Then you can say, "Alexa, switch to NBC," and the channel will change immediately. (currently, the Fire TV Cube is compatible with Comcast, Dish, DirecTV and Fios set-top boxes.) You'll also say, "Alexa, play the crown on Netflix" or "Alexa, play the Mrs. Messel 'video on Alexa," and the cube will be necessary for the input and display you leave. Alexa can play music from compatible apps, such as Spotify, and can instruct you to select songs, increase or decrease volume, and then shut down the entire system when you're done.
How does Fire TV Cube control all of these devices? The box has a built-in infrared transmitter that can send control signals wirelessly, just like a remote control. If you hide your device in a closet, amazon will hide you in a closet, too. The cube ship is attached to an 8-foot cable with a separate infrared transmitter; Simply connect the cable to the cube and insert the transmitter into the box. Some devices can also be controlled through an HDMI connection using the CEC(consumer electronics control) protocol. Amazon claims that the cube now controls 90 percent of the devices used in the United States.
While the Fire TV Cube looks cool, it's not perfect. While the device offers dolby Atmos sound and 4K video, its HDR function is limited to HDR10 - no dolby vision or HDR10+. Alexa controls many of the most popular apps (including Hulu, ESPN, Showtime, Stars, PlayStation Vue, CBS All Access, and NBC), but many don't yet support voice control. That means you need to keep your Fire TV remote control handy. Unfortunately, the remote has no volume or mute button. Perhaps the biggest limitation of the cube's control power has to do with the cable box. Alexa can't control your DVR or pull up on-demand content from your cable provider. If you want to play a recorded show, or pause it, or rewind it, you need to use your cable box remote. The Fire TV Cube also can't control blu-ray players or compete with streaming devices from Apple and Roku. Unlike the apple TV 4K, it can't be connected to other speakers and can't be part of a multi-room audio system.
In addition to its limitations, amazon's Fire TV Cube offers an impressive array of features and is a big step toward a future without confusing remote controls. Future firmware updates may enhance the cube's ability to control the cable box, but even in its current state, the cube can do things that no other streaming device or smart speaker can. Will the Fire TV Cube become the cornerstone of smart home entertainment?
The Fire TV Cube connects to a TV, AV receiver, or sound bar via HDMI. Like amazon's Echo device, it has a built-in speaker, but the cube's default function is to send audio over a TV or sound system. An array of eight far-field microphones lets the Fire TV Cube hear you summon Alexa, even if you're blaring your favorite music or watching a loud action movie. Once you get the attention of Alexa, you can use voice commands to control a wide range of functions. For example, when you first walk into a room, you can simply say, "Alexa, turn on the TV," and the Fire TV cube will turn on your TV, receiver or speaker, as well as your cable box. If you end up watching HGTV on cable, it will start playing on your system. Then you can say, "Alexa, switch to NBC," and the channel will change immediately. (currently, the Fire TV Cube is compatible with Comcast, Dish, DirecTV and Fios set-top boxes.) You'll also say, "Alexa, play the crown on Netflix" or "Alexa, play the Mrs. Messel 'video on Alexa," and the cube will be necessary for the input and display you leave. Alexa can play music from compatible apps, such as Spotify, and can instruct you to select songs, increase or decrease volume, and then shut down the entire system when you're done.
How does Fire TV Cube control all of these devices? The box has a built-in infrared transmitter that can send control signals wirelessly, just like a remote control. If you hide your device in a closet, amazon will hide you in a closet, too. The cube ship is attached to an 8-foot cable with a separate infrared transmitter; Simply connect the cable to the cube and insert the transmitter into the box. Some devices can also be controlled through an HDMI connection using the CEC(consumer electronics control) protocol. Amazon claims that the cube now controls 90 percent of the devices used in the United States.
While the Fire TV Cube looks cool, it's not perfect. While the device offers dolby Atmos sound and 4K video, its HDR function is limited to HDR10 - no dolby vision or HDR10+. Alexa controls many of the most popular apps (including Hulu, ESPN, Showtime, Stars, PlayStation Vue, CBS All Access, and NBC), but many don't yet support voice control. That means you need to keep your Fire TV remote control handy. Unfortunately, the remote has no volume or mute button. Perhaps the biggest limitation of the cube's control power has to do with the cable box. Alexa can't control your DVR or pull up on-demand content from your cable provider. If you want to play a recorded show, or pause it, or rewind it, you need to use your cable box remote. The Fire TV Cube also can't control blu-ray players or compete with streaming devices from Apple and Roku. Unlike the apple TV 4K, it can't be connected to other speakers and can't be part of a multi-room audio system.
In addition to its limitations, amazon's Fire TV Cube offers an impressive array of features and is a big step toward a future without confusing remote controls. Future firmware updates may enhance the cube's ability to control the cable box, but even in its current state, the cube can do things that no other streaming device or smart speaker can. Will the Fire TV Cube become the cornerstone of smart home entertainment?
