New Hardware and Enhanced Remote Design

Just in time for its October Prime Day event, Amazon has introduced a new Fire TV Stick 4K. Like the Fire TV Stick HD released earlier this year, this device transitions away from the traditional Android-based kernel, instead utilizing Amazon's proprietary Vega OS.

Under the hood, the new stick features a quad-core 1.7 GHz processor, 8GB of storage, Wi-Fi 6 support, and Bluetooth 5.3. Amazon claims this iteration offers a performance boost of 20 to 40% over leading competitors. The device supports a wide range of video formats, including HDR10, HDR10+, and AV1, outputting resolutions up to 2160p at 60 fps.

The stick comes bundled with a redesigned remote featuring an asymmetrical shape—thinner at the top with a rounded back. Notable improvements include a metallic Home button and indented buttons for better tactile navigation. It also includes a customizable 'Star' button for quick access to preferred apps.


The New 'Find My' Remote Feature

While the standard remote ships today, Amazon is also planning a more advanced version: the Fire TV Remote Plus. This premium accessory will feature an aluminum housing and backlit buttons. Most significantly, it introduces a 'Find My' capability. Users can simply ask, «Alexa, find my remote,» and the device will emit a sound to help locate it—a long-awaited feature that brings Amazon in line with competitors like Apple and Google.

However, users will need to exercise patience; the Fire TV Remote Plus is not scheduled for release until January 2027, and pricing remains unannounced.


AI-Powered Discovery with Alexa+

Amazon is also rolling out 'Alexa+' to improve content discovery. This AI-driven upgrade allows the assistant to process complex queries by analyzing awards, cultural contexts, and the user’s personal watch history. Example requests include:

  • «Alexa, I'm diving into the Marvel universe. Show me the movies in the universe timeline order.»
  • «Alexa, find shows that were nominated for the recent Emmys but got snubbed.»
  • «Alexa, show me the highest-rated book-to-screen movie adaptations.»

To encourage usage, a new Alexa+ hub will be integrated into the Fire TV interface, allowing users to track and continue previous AI conversations across various Amazon devices.


Availability and Pricing

The standard Fire TV Stick 4K carries a list price of $59.99, though it is currently discounted for October Prime Day. Regarding the new AI features, the rollout will begin in the U.S. this November for existing high-end devices like the Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen) and Fire TV Cube, while the new hardware and international markets will see these updates early next year.