Amazon TVs with Alexa - New Release & Features

Amazon Enters the Smart TV Market with Fire TV Omni and 4-Series

For years, a move like this seemed inevitable. Following Amazon’s 2017 collaboration with Element Electronics to produce a 43-inch Amazon Fire TV Edition, the company has been steadily integrating its voice assistant into televisions from various manufacturers.

Now, Amazon is significantly expanding its presence with the launch of two new smart TV lines: the Fire TV Omni Series and the 4-Series. These represent the “first-ever Amazon-built smart TVs,” designed from the ground up, rather than simply incorporating Amazon’s technology into existing models.

Fire TV Omni Series: The Premium Offering

The Fire TV Omni Series is positioned as the flagship product. Despite its premium features, the starting price remains competitive at $410, which is $40 less than the original Amazon-branded Element TV.

Amazon VP Daniel Rausch explained to TechCrunch that current “smart” TVs aren’t truly intelligent. He believes they lack the capabilities customers desire and often provide a complex, passive experience. Amazon aims to address this with voice control and ambient computing.

The company is entering a highly competitive market dominated by brands like Samsung and LG. However, Amazon intends to differentiate itself through deep Alexa integration. The Omni Series utilizes far-field voice technology for a wide range of functions, including TV control, music playback, and gaming.

Enhanced Alexa Experience

The new TVs feature integration with the recently launched Alexa conversations, enabling more natural interactions. Users will soon be able to ask, “Alexa, what should I watch?” and “Alexa, Play Something from Netflix,” with these features becoming available later this year and in the fall, respectively.

TikTok support is also being expanded. Following its launch in the U.K., Germany, and France, the social media platform will soon be available on Fire TV in North America, allowing users to view short-form videos on screens up to 75 inches.

Omni and 4-Series: Key Differences

The Fire TV Omni Series is available in 43-, 50-, 55-, 65-, and 75-inch models, all offering 4K resolution. It supports HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Digital Plus, with the larger models also including Dolby Vision support.

The Fire TV 4-Series, starting at $370, comes in 43-, 50-, and 55-inch sizes, also in 4K. The primary distinction lies in the voice control implementation: the 4-Series features near-field Alexa capabilities in its remote, while the Omni Series has far-field technology built directly into the TV.

New Streaming Device and Partnerships

Alongside the new TVs, Amazon has released the Fire TV Stick 4K Max. This $55 streaming stick boasts a quad-core 1.8GHz processor, 2GB of RAM, and WiFi 6 support, promising improved performance and compatibility with Amazon’s Luna gaming service.

Surprisingly, Pioneer is re-entering the TV market after discontinuing its plasma line. They will offer a 43-inch 4K set with an Alexa remote, available through Amazon and Best Buy in September, with a 50-inch version following in November.

Toshiba is also joining the lineup with a new set featuring far-field technology, planned for release in 55-, 65-, and 75-inch models in spring 2022.