Amazon Fire TV: An OLED display with Alexa microphones
5.9.2019
Translation: machine translated
Amazon is pushing its Fire TV software with two new OLED TVs. One model even has Alexa microphones built in - for more convenience and hands-free TV control.
So far, TVs equipped with Amazon's Fire TV software have been limited to LCD technology. Now, in partnership with Grundig, Amazon is announcing the first OLED TV including Amazon Fire TV and - if desired - built-in Alexa microphones. The model without built-in microphones comes with the Alexa Voice Remote as standard.
Mute function possible
Are we really ready for TVs with built-in microphones? The world is in the middle of a fundamental debate: should smart home devices be allowed to listen in or not? And yet Amazon has announced a TV that offers precisely this feature: Microphones that are eavesdropping and just waiting to take commands from your voice.
A button under the screen can be used to mute the microphones if desired. Incidentally, the microphones are built into the speakers of the TV. Grundig confirmed to The Verge that LG OLED panels with Wide Colour Gamut (WCG) are used and that HDR10 and Dolby Vision are supported.
55 and 65 inch
The Grundig OLED TVs with Amazon Fire TV and with or without Alexa microphones will be available in 55-inch and 65-inch versions. The microphone models in the smaller version will cost 1299 euros - those without this function will cost around 100 euros less. In addition, all TVs offer Dolby Vision HDR and will include a 10-speaker system that is Dolby Atmos-capable. All versions will be available from 21 November and initially only in Germany and Austria.
In addition to the OLED devices, Grundig will launch a further eleven LCD TVs with integrated Fire TV software. This partnership is the first step in Amazon's major internationalisation plan. JVC-branded TVs with 4K and HDR are also planned for the UK. However, there is no release date for this yet.
Amazon Fire TV as far as the eye can see
The Amazon Fire TVs work almost identically to the Fire TV sticks or streaming boxes. Compared to the sticks and boxes, however, they are optimised for television via antenna, among other things: The TVs then automatically open a menu to set the whole thing up effortlessly.
It seems that with all this news, Amazon is trying to get a Fire TV into your living room at all costs. In addition to the new Fire TVs, an Anker soundbar that includes the Fire TV software has also been announced. An upgraded version of the Fire TV Cube with Dolby Vision support was also unveiled. <p
Header image: Amazong's Fire TV stick: has it had its day thanks to the partnership with Grundig? Source: Digital Trends
Raphael Knecht
Senior Editor
raphael.knecht@digitecgalaxus.chWhen I'm not stuffing my face with sweets, you'll catch me running around in the gym hall. I’m a passionate floorball player and coach. On rainy days, I tinker with my homebuilt PCs, robots or other gadgets. Music is always my trusted companion. I also enjoy tackling hilly terrain on my road bike and criss-crossing the country on my cross-country skis.