Chromecast launched in the UK this week and now details of an Amazon competitor are beginning to seep through the cracks. The Wall Street Journal claims a video-streaming device will be available from April through the site itself.
It is also rumoured to be available from retailers such as Best Buy. It’s currently not certain whether it will launch in the UK and if so, when.
Amazon’s dongle will run Android much like Kindle Fire devices. It will also support a number of media streaming services such as Netflix.
The Wall Street Journal reports, “The Amazon device will carry a variety of apps available on Roku Inc. and Apple set-top boxes and run on a version of Google's Android software, like Amazon's tablet computers, these people said. Roku's most popular apps include video services Netflix and Hulu Plus and music service Pandora, as well as Amazon's own video-streaming service.”
We’d also think LoveFilm or Amazon Instant would be tightly integrated in the service considering it’s the same company. Amazon has now linked up its Prime service with free streaming on Amazon Instant, it’s possible the company could bring about a deal with a dongle and a streaming subscription in the same package.
One report from TechCrunch says the Amazon device will come in stick form which plugs into the HDMI port on a HDTV. It’s also believed it will bring about online gaming support in a similar service to gaming service OnLive.
No word on how much an Amazon dongle will cost either. Apple TV comes in at £99 while Chromecast is only £30. It’s likely to sit in between those two prices but could cost even more if it comes with an Amazon Instant subscription.
by jamesp via Featured Articles
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