Tomasz Wadowski
Will the upcoming Fire TV Stick models change the way we use our TV? Everything points to yes. Amazon, according to leaks and developer documents, is working on a new generation of its popular TV "thumb drives". The devices are set to operate on Android TV 14, with the main star of the update being… artificial intelligence.
What do we know for sure?
A fascinating trace has appeared online – in the official Android 14 documentation for developers, there is a section dedicated to “creating applications for Fire TV devices with Android 14”. This is a strong hint that work on new models is already at an advanced stage. Although Amazon is keeping its cards close to its chest, experts primarily expect a refreshed 4K version, which debuted in 2023. Interesting fact: the last addition to the lineup, the Fire TV Stick HD, was released a year ago. Is it now time for something more than just better resolution?
Alexa with a "brain" like ChatGPT?
Here we come to the juiciest bit. On 26 February, Amazon is holding a conference where – as industry sources speculate – it will unveil Alexa 2.0. The assistant is set to gain generative artificial intelligence capabilities, similar to those known from ChatGPT. Can you imagine asking the TV: "Hey, find that series I was watching on Thursday – it had that actor with the beard…”, and Alexa not only understanding but also providing the title? Sounds like sci-fi, but apparently, it’s on the way.
Hook? It's going to be more expensive.
Unfortunately, technological progress can come at a price. According to information provided by HDTV Test UK, access to advanced Alexa features may require a subscription of between 5 and 10 dollars a month. That’s a significant burden on the wallet, especially since the Prime service already costs money. Will users agree to pay extra for "smarter" voice commands? That's a question we will likely have an answer to with the launch.
And how do you see it? Would you like to see such intelligent features in this year's television models, especially from Panasonic? The brand that has been synonymous with quality for years is now facing an uncertain future following the announcement of plans to sell its television division. Perhaps integrating advanced AI solutions like Alexa with the new Fire TV could be their lifeline? Or is it already too late to turn things around? Let us know what you think!
