Amazon just refreshed one of its most popular streaming devices. The new Fire TV Stick HD is officially here, and it is the slimmest Fire TV device Amazon has ever made. At $34.99, it is available for preorder right now and ships April 29.
What’s new with the Fire TV Stick HD and how is it different?
The new model is about 30% slimmer than the previous generation. It can fit easily in the narrow space behind your TV and works with a short USB-C cable that plugs directly into your TV’s USB port for power. So you don’t need a separate wall adapter cluttering things up. However, if your TV does not have a USB port, a standard USB-C charger works just fine as a backup.
Performance has also been improved in the latest Fire TV Stick HD. Amazon says the new stick is more than 30% faster than the previous HD model, meaning apps load quicker and the whole experience feels snappier.
It also supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 for connectivity. The redesigned Fire TV interface, which launched earlier this year, comes built in with cleaner organization across movies, TV, live content, sports, and news.
What other features does the new Fire TV Stick HD have?
Alexa+ is built into the stick for users in the US, Canada, and the UK. You can ask it for show recommendations, look up actors while watching, or control smart home devices with your voice.
An Adaptive Display accessibility feature is also coming in the months ahead. It will enlarge text, menus, and on-screen elements while proportionally scaling artwork for a more balanced experience. Multiple size options will also be available for further customization.
The stick ships April 29 in the US, UK, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, with more regions to follow shortly after.