We analyze the best Amazon device for TV, the Fire TV Cube

If we want to have a smart TV, we have two options. The first, and the most expensive, is to buy one with an integrated operating system. The second, much cheaper, is to buy an accessory that equips our intelligence panel. For this there are many options, although the most popular are those of Google and Amazon.

We recently reviewed Google’s entry-level offering, the new Chromecast with Google TV HD, and now we’re going to jump to the other side of the spectrum, looking at Amazon’s best offering, the Fire TV Cubea device with a much higher price, but with functions that we have not seen in other decoders.

A minimalist design but with personality

The first thing that draws attention to this device is its design. Unlike the new Amazon Echo, this device is cubic, with a very good finish and a surprising weight, but that is explained by the integration of a speaker inside.

The Fire TV Cube has that name for a reason. The cube has fabric on three of its sides, leaving the back for the connectors.

At the top we have the volume buttons, the microphone mute button and the assistant activation button. And yes, you can use Alexa on this device since it integrates an Amazon Echo.

Many ports, but with potential improvements

One of the biggest differences of this product compared to other similar ones is the integration of a large number of ports.

For example, we have a USB A 2.0 port, which allows you to put a hard disk or a dongle to connect more things. The downside is that it’s not 3.0, something we can already chase for what it’s worth.

Something similar happens with the Ethernet port it has, which is 100 Mbps, which is striking since a product in this category should have a 1 Gbps one.

We have two HDMI ports, one to connect to our television and one to connect an accessory, such as a console or a decoder.

We also have a port to put an infrared extender, although it is not included in the box. Incidentally, the HDMI cable does not come either, which caught our attention, again due to its price.

It’s an Amazon Echo, with a tint

As we said, this device is a Fire TV, but it’s also a smart speaker by being able to invoke Alexa to do surveys or control the TV.

The only downside is that it doesn’t have a speaker to listen to music, and those commands will be performed on the TV, requiring you to have it turned on if you want to listen to music, which we we did not like.

A controller that, without being the best, we really like

The Amazon Fire TV Cube Remote is a competent remote, with a good finish and multiple buttons for launching content. The only complaint is that it doesn’t have any programmable buttons, like the new Pro model launched a few days ago does.

Despite this, it is a controller that works very well, and with which we can even play, even if, according to the titles, it is not the most functional in the world. But for this we have the possibility of linking Bluetooth control buttons.

visual pleasure

In the viewing section, which is the main use of the Fire TV Cube, we notice that Amazon has not failed to support HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, Wi-Fi 6 connectivity so that 4K resolution no problems, etc. .

Fire OS has standard compatibility with Netflix, Filmin, Disney Plus or YouTube, but not with HBO Max in Europe. Of course, we can install the APK manually or by changing our region to the Amazon slope, although the latter can unconfigure the Alexa devices you have linked, so we don’t recommend it.

Smooth interface but with ads

The interface is very good to have a 2 GB RAM. We would have expected a little more power in this aspect, as well as in the internal memory of 16 GB. It is true that we can expand it or use the USB port to store large 4K files, but with such a high price we would have liked the memories to be at the height of the processor, which in this case is 8 cores and fulfills its mission. .

What we didn’t like about the interface was the appearance of ads. And we’re not talking about Amazon Prime series or Echo deals, but ads for Google devices, settlements, and the like.

That’s understandable in an Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite, for example, to lower its price, but not in a device that, without offers it costs 159.99 dollars. Even so, it doesn’t become particularly bothersome, although it is noticeable.

conclusion

This device doesn’t have the same approach as other Amazon Fire TVs even though it may seem like it. It is for people who value image quality highly, want the most powerful device, and don’t lose compatibility with the Amazon ecosystem.

For them, it is an option to take into account, in particular because Alexa allows for great control of not just the Fire TV Cube, but the TV as well. And we can even stream content from our mobile without installing anything.

Hopefully next year Amazon decides to give this device a music speaker, update the rear ports and let you buy an ad-free version. It would be a practically round device.

• Buy Amazon Fire TV Cube on Amazon

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