Amazon Fire TV Coming to More Cars in 2022

Amazon Expands Fire TV Integration into Additional Vehicles

Amazon announced today at CES that its Fire TV streaming platform is experiencing broadened availability within the automotive industry. Stellantis was the initial automaker to incorporate Fire TV for in-car entertainment, beginning with the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer in the last quarter of the previous year.

This entertainment functionality is now being extended to the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chrysler Pacifica models. Furthermore, Amazon confirmed that the 2022 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator will also feature built-in Fire TV capabilities.

Customization Options for Automakers

Vehicle manufacturers have the ability to tailor the Fire TV experience. This includes integration with the vehicle’s existing audio systems and comfort controls. Such customization allows for the creation of unique features specifically designed for each vehicle type.

Hands-Free Control and Passenger Entertainment

The automotive version of Fire TV leverages the hands-free functionality of Alexa. Passengers, or parents seeking entertainment for children, can effortlessly initiate content playback using voice commands.

Content selection can be managed from the front seats for rear passengers. If multiple screens are present in the rear, the same content can be simultaneously displayed on all of them.

Alternatively, Fire TV allows rear passengers to enjoy individual content on each screen, resolving potential disagreements over viewing choices.

Audio can be delivered through Bluetooth or wired headphones, or via the vehicle’s speaker system, depending on preference.

Alexa Integration and Additional Features

Users can utilize Alexa on Fire TV to view live feeds from their Ring doorbell. Simple voice commands, such as “Alexa, show me the front door,” enable this functionality.

Content Availability and Offline Viewing

Fire TV users in the U.S. have access to a library exceeding 1 million TV episodes and movies, including content from Prime Video. Recognizing the potential for unreliable cellular signals during travel, Fire TV for autos supports offline viewing through downloadable content.

Upcoming Updates and Personalized Experiences

The system is scheduled to receive updates aligning it with the home Fire TV experience. This includes support for personalized profiles, tailored recommendations, and a refreshed home screen interface.

These updates will enable users to seamlessly resume viewing content in the car where they left off at home, according to Amazon.

Historical Partnerships and Expansion Efforts

Amazon has been actively pursuing expanded Fire TV integration in automobiles for some time. In 2020, partnerships were established with BMW and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to offer hands-free Alexa and Fire TV streaming capabilities.

New auto-focused Alexa voice commands were also introduced, such as “Alexa, pay for gas,” facilitating payments at over 11,500 Exxon and Mobil stations.

Plans were also announced to integrate both Alexa and Fire TV into Rivian’s electric vehicles and other models.

Sales Milestones and User Engagement

At CES, Amazon revealed that over 150 million Fire TV devices have been sold globally as of the fourth quarter of 2021. While sales figures are substantial, the number of regular platform users is lower.

Previously, Amazon reported 50 million monthly active users as of December 2020. User engagement is expected to have increased, particularly following record sales of Fire TV smart TVs and the Fire TV Stick during Black Friday 2021.

*Please note: Amazon has corrected its initial blog post to specify the Ford Expedition SUV, rather than the Ford Explorer SUV, as the vehicle supporting Fire TV integrations.