Amazon is bringing Alexa’s charms to the first-gen Fire TV and Fire TV Stick

By Kris Wouk February 3, 2016

Amazon Fire TV Stick — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The release of Amazon’s second generation Fire TV in September of last year brought a number of new features with it, but one of the most intriguing was the inclusion of Alexa, the virtual assistant that premiered with the Amazon Echo. Owners of the first generation of Fire TV devices might have felt left out, but that won’t be the case for much longer.

Today Amazon announced a software update coming to the original Fire TV and Fire TV Stick that will bring in a number of new features, the highest profile of which is Alexa. Voice search was already available in both devices, but Alexa brings a number of new functions that approximate many of those available in the Echo.

Recommended Videos

The software update also brings a feature to the Fire TV Stick that was previously only available to owners of its bigger brother: Fire TV Stick users will now be able to connect Bluetooth headphones for private listening. If you’re curious how to set this up, we’ve got a guide on how to get started.

Finally, the update brings improvements to the Amazon Video’s new add-on subscription service. Those looking to sign up for free trials of Starz, Showtime, or any of the other services offered through the bundle service can now sign up directly from their Fire TVs – no need to head to another device.

The update is free and is rolling out automatically, so all Fire TV owners need to do is wait for the new features to arrive. Amazon says the update will start today and roll out over the next few weeks, so if you don’t get the update right away, don’t fret.

Since the launch of the latest Fire TV, Amazon has been on a roll adding new features and services to the entire line of devices. In December of last year, Amazon said it had added more than 1,000 channels, apps, and games to its app store since September alone.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Kris Wouk is a tech writer, gadget reviewer, blogger, and whatever it's called when someone makes videos for the web. In his…

Audio / Video

Hisense takes its Amazon Fire TV QLED televisions to Costco

A promo lifestyle image of the Hisense QD6 television.

Let it never be said that there aren't enough smart TV available from enough retailers. To wit: Hisense is taking its QD6 series with Amazon Fire TV on board to Costco.

The range starts at $199 and comes in a spread of 43, 50, 55, 65, and 75 inches. All but the largest are available now in stores or online. The 75-incher — which tops out at just $579 — will be available on the Costco website on June 10.

Audio / Video

Is Sling TV free with Amazon Prime?

Sling TV.

If you’ve ever wondered whether Sling TV is free if you also have Amazon Prime, wonder no more. It is not. And that’s because they are two entirely separate services, each with its own subscription.

Here’s the deal: Sling TV is what’s known as a multiplatform video distributor, or MPVD, in industry parlance. You pay a fee every month, and Sling TV gives you access to a bunch of linear channels in return. It’s a bit like cable TV in that way, only via the internet, and you have a little more control over how much you spend every month, and also which channels you end up getting.

Audio / Video

Sling TV adds arcade games on Fire TV and Android TV

Sling Arcade on Sling TV.

If you've ever been watching live TV and thought to yourself, "What I'd really like to do right now, as I'm watching a basketball game, is also play some Tetris," Sling TV now has you covered. Enter Sling Arcade.

As the name implies, Sling Arcade is a smattering of arcade-style games (ask your parents, kids) that are not only available in the Sling TV app as a standalone feature, but you also can play multiview style, with the game you're playing side by side with whatever you're watching. Or if you want to play full-screen, just hit the "Arcade" playlist on the Sling TV app home screen.