The Amazon Fire TV Cube (2nd Gen): Is This Alexa-Powered Streaming Box Worth It?
Amazon’s Fire TV Stick range has become synonymous with affordable streaming solutions in India, but for those seeking a more powerful and feature-rich experience, the Amazon Fire TV Cube (2nd Gen) offers a compelling alternative. This Alexa-enabled streaming box combines the intuitive interface and extensive app library of the Fire TV with the hands-free convenience of an Echo smart speaker, positioning itself as a premium option for the tech-savvy home theatre enthusiast.
But does the Fire TV Cube’s unique blend of features justify its hefty price tag? Let’s delve into the details and see if it truly lives up to the hype.
Who is the Amazon Fire TV Cube (2nd Gen) Meant For?
Unlike the budget-focused Fire TV Sticks, the Fire TV Cube (2nd Gen) caters to discerning viewers who demand high-quality entertainment. This device boasts the ability to stream up to Ultra-HD resolution with support for all major HDR formats, including Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG. It even throws in Dolby Atmos support, making it a suitable source for those with high-end audio systems.
The Fire TV Cube’s design reflects its intended position as a central hub for your home entertainment system. Unlike its stick counterparts that typically remain concealed behind a TV, the Fire TV Cube is meant to be placed on a table within your entertainment setup, resembling a cross between a Fire TV and an Echo speaker.
You’ll find physical buttons on the top for volume control, muting the microphone, and invoking Alexa manually, while all ports are placed on the back, including HDMI, power input, a 3.5mm socket for the included infrared extender accessory, and a Micro-USB port for the included Ethernet adapter. The inclusion of wired Ethernet connectivity is a notable feature, unavailable on the Fire TV Stick range without an optional adapter.
How Does the Amazon Fire TV Cube (2nd Gen) Work?
Underneath its sleek exterior, the Fire TV Cube (2nd Gen) packs a punch. It features a hexa-core processor (four cores at up to 2.2GHz and two more cores at up to 1.9GHz), an integrated Mali G52-MP2 GPU, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, and dual-band Wi-Fi. This potent combination ensures smooth performance and lightning-fast app loading times.
The device also supports HDMI CEC, simplifying setup and allowing you to control your TV, speaker system, or soundbar directly through the Fire TV Cube.
Included in the package are the Fire TV Cube itself, a power adapter, an Ethernet adapter, an infrared extender, and the Alexa voice remote. The remote, familiar to those acquainted with Fire TV devices, features a D-Pad for navigation, volume and playback buttons, quick Home and Back buttons, and hotkeys for Prime Video, Netflix, and Amazon Music. A dedicated button lets you access the app drawer, which is particularly helpful with the new Fire TV UI that displays only a limited number of apps on the home screen.
What Can You do with the Amazon Fire TV Cube (2nd Gen)?
At its core, the Fire TV Cube (2nd Gen) is a video streaming device, and it excels in this area. It runs the Fire TV OS, providing access to a wide array of popular apps and streaming services, including Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+ Hotstar, YouTube, Apple TV, and many others.
The Fire TV Cube (2nd Gen) now comes with the revamped Fire TV UI, a significant improvement over previous versions. Although it still emphasizes Amazon Prime Video content, the new UI makes it easier to discover other content and navigate system settings.
While the remote provides control over most functionalities, the Fire TV Cube’s highlight feature is its hands-free Alexa integration. This allows you to control the device and other Alexa-enabled devices in your house using voice commands. You can turn on/off your TV, select specific content, adjust the volume, and even interact with your smart home appliances, all with just your voice.
Performance and User Experience
The Fire TV Cube (2nd Gen) is remarkably swift and responsive, delivering a largely lag-free user experience. Content across apps and services loaded quickly, even at high resolutions, ensuring smooth playback. However, I encountered a few issues while using the device with an LG 48CX television.
Specifically, I had to constantly adjust the display settings on the Fire TV Cube depending on the type of content I was watching, whether it was Ultra-HD standard dynamic range or HDR content. Certain settings prevented HDR10 or Dolby Vision content from displaying properly, while others displayed Ultra-HD content at full-HD resolution, forcing me to continually switch based on my desired viewing experience.
While switching these settings wasn’t overly difficult, the inconsistency felt like a software bug that might not be easily identified by everyone. It’s possible that such issues are specific to individual televisions, but my experience wasn’t as smooth as I would have hoped.
Alexa Integration: A Game-Changer?
Alexa on the Fire TV Cube (2nd Gen) goes beyond providing basic voice responses. It lets you control connected smart home appliances, including the Fire TV interface and your television itself. This hands-free integration offers a convenient way to interact with your entertainment system, particularly when multi-tasking.
It’s important to note that while the Fire TV Cube has a built-in speaker for Alexa’s voice responses, it cannot be used to play music or other content. Audio output is routed to your connected television’s speakers or a home theatre setup.
Wrapping It Up: Is the Amazon Fire TV Cube (2nd Gen) Worth the Investment?
The Amazon Fire TV Cube (2nd Gen) stands out as the most powerful device in Amazon’s Fire TV lineup, effectively merging the strengths of the Fire TV and Echo product lines. Although its core functionality doesn’t drastically differ from the more affordable Fire TV Stick 4K, the addition of hands-free Alexa voice controls, enhanced connectivity options, and a responsive UI justify its premium price for advanced users.
If you’re seeking a feature-rich streaming experience with the convenience of voice control, the Fire TV Cube (2nd Gen) is a compelling choice. However, for less discerning viewers, the Fire TV Stick 4K or Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen) might be a more budget-friendly alternative, offering similar core functionality. If you’re considering an Apple TV 4K, the Fire TV Cube’s hands-free voice control capabilities give it a significant advantage, particularly in the Indian market where it sets itself apart from other premium streaming devices.
Price: Rs. 12,999
Pros:
- 4K streaming with support for all major apps
- Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support
- User-friendly UI and smooth performance
- Hands-free Alexa integration for voice control
- Excellent remote
- Wired Ethernet connectivity
Cons:
- Expensive compared to other Fire TV devices
- Built-in speaker can’t be used for audio content
- Some software bugs
Ratings (Out of 10):
- Design and specifications: 8
- Features: 9
- Value for money: 7
- Overall: 8
Ultimately, the decision boils down to your individual needs and preferences. If you value hands-free convenience, a powerful streaming experience, and the latest audio-video technologies, the Amazon Fire TV Cube (2nd Gen) delivers a compelling package. However, for those seeking a more budget-friendly option, the Fire TV Stick range, with its impressive features and affordable price tags, remains a solid choice.
