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Sarah Tew/CNET
Today Amazon launched the Fire TV streaming media box .
Its standout features include an extensive library of games, an optional game controller ($40), voice search via a mic on the remote, an “ASAP” function that’s said to launch certain videos immediately, and a “Free Time” function that allows parents to limit their kids’ media consumption, much like on Amazon’s Kindle Fire tablets.
It also offers a lot of content options.
So without further ado, here’s a comparison of the four major streaming devices as they stand today.
| Amazon Fire TV | Chromecast | Roku | Apple TV | |
| Price | $99 | $35 | $49 – $99 | $93 |
| Form factor | Box | Stick | Stick or box | Box |
| Video apps | Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Instant, Hulu Plus, Showtime Anytime, Crackle, Vimeo, more | Netflix, YouTube, HBO Go, Hulu Plus, Vudu, Crackle, more | Netflix, YouTube, HBO Go, Amazon Instant, Hulu Plus, Showtime Anytime, Vudu, Crackle, M-Go, Vimeo, PBS, PBS Kids, Disney Channel, Redbox Instant, Time Warner Cable, Slingplayer, more | Netflix, YouTube, HBO Go, Hulu Plus, Crackle, Vimeo, PBS, Disney Channel, more via AirPlay |
| Audio apps | Pandora, Vevo, Qello, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, more | Pandora, Rdio, Vevo, Songza, more | Spotify, Pandora, Rdio, Mog, Amazon CloudPlayer, Vevo, Qello, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Slacker, more | Vevo, Qello, “radio” |
| Major proprietary apps | None | Google Play Movies & TV, Google Play Music | None | iTunes Movies and TV shows, iTunes Music, iTunes Radio |
| Sports apps | Watch ESPN, NBA League Pass, “many more” | None | Watch ESPN, MLB.TV, NBA League Pass, NHL Gamecenter, more | Watch ESPN, MLB.TV, NBA League Pass, NHL Gamecenter, more |
| Games | Yes, playable via remote, tablet/phone, or optional controller ($40) | Yes, playable via tablet/phone | Yes, playable via remote | No |
| Control | Voice search, physical remote, app | App only (no physical remote) | Physical remote, app | Physical remote, app |
| Screen mirroring | via Kindle Fire HDX only | via Chrome browser | No | via AirPlay |
| Photo, video and music files | via Plex, Amazon Cloud | via Plex, other apps | via Plex, other apps | via AirPlay, native Mac and iOS support, iCloud |
| Cross-platform search | No | No | Yes | No |
| Parental Controls | Free Time (app- and time-based restrictions + walled garden) | No | No | Basic per-app passcode restrictions |
Note that the apps for Amazon’s Fire TV come via the official product page, which says “many more” are coming. Major missing services at launch include HBO Go, Vudu, and most subscription music services like Spotify.
Update April 03: Updated Chromecast section to include additional apps.
Sarah Tew/CNET
