Amazon's Apple TV Competitor to Launch in April as Chromecast-Like Dongle - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Amazon's Apple TV Competitor to Launch in April as Chromecast-Like Dongle

by

chromecast-stickDespite an earlier report suggesting a March launch, a new report from the Wall Street Journal now claims Amazon will start selling its video-streaming device in April through its own website and retailers like Best Buy.

The device will run a version of Android akin to the company's Kindle Fire readers and will support common media streaming services like Netflix.

The Amazon device will carry a variety of apps available on Roku Inc. and Apple set-top boxes and run on a version of Google's Android software, like Amazon's tablet computers, these people said. Roku's most popular apps include video services Netflix and Hulu Plus and music service Pandora, as well as Amazon's own video-streaming service.

An earlier report from TechCrunch claims the Amazon device will have a stick form factor similar to Google's Chromecast and will plug into the HDMI port of any HDTV. These same sources believe the device will support online gaming, streaming top-tier titles to the device at 30 frames per second from Amazon's servers in a manner similar to remote gaming service OnLive.

Pricing for the Amazon device is not yet known, but it is expected to be consistent with competing devices which are priced under $100. Google's Chromecast is the cheapest option at $35, while Roku's new Streaming Stick is priced at $49. Sources claim Amazon Prime customers will receive extra incentives for purchasing the device.

Top Rated Comments

161 months ago
Amazon- a company that tries everything and is good at very few things.

In other words, Amazon, just sell what people give you to sell and stop trying to make your own junk.

What have they made that hasn't been good or successful? The only true flop they've had would be the original Kindle DX.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rdlink Avatar
161 months ago
Actually when my AppleTV is acting up, I switch to the Chromecast for Netflix. It just works.

It's amazing how often AirPlay or Apple TV just fail to work, yet switching to Chromecast I get no issues.

What am I doing wrong? My ATV just always seems to work. I Airplay movies from every device in my house. I stream music from iTunes Radio from ATV, my iOS devices, my Macs using the Remote App. I watch movies and TV shows. I Netflix all the livelong day. Did I somehow get the only Apple TV that was built correctly? :rolleyes:
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
taptic Avatar
161 months ago
How so? Have you tried reading a book on a display? Your eyeballs want to bleed after quarter of an hour. The e-ink models are designed to be much easier on the eye like a normal book would be.

Did you even read my comment?

I was saying the e-ink ones are OK, it's the kindle fire and stuff that I can't stand.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
161 months ago
Actually when my AppleTV is acting up, I switch to the Chromecast for Netflix. It just works.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
roadbloc Avatar
161 months ago
In my opinion all kindles suck. bad. except the e-ink display ones.
How so? Have you tried reading a book on a display? Your eyeballs want to bleed after quarter of an hour. The e-ink models are designed to be much easier on the eye like a normal book would be.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
161 months ago
I hope they do better than Google in allowing the dongle to get the power through the HDMI port versus having a power cord connected to it -- that is ugly and kind of defeats the point of a dongle IMO.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iCloud iPhone 17 Pro

iPhone Users Who Pay for iCloud Storage Get Two New Perks on iOS 27

Thursday July 2, 2026 6:10 am PDT by
If you pay for certain iCloud+ storage plans beyond the 5GB that Apple offers for free, you will receive two more perks on iOS 27 at no additional cost. A summary of the two new iCloud+ perks on iOS 27:Increased daily usage limits for some new Apple Intelligence features, including image generation in the revamped Image Playground app. HomeKit Secure Video cameras receive generated video...
Apple Event Logo

Apple Just Released a New Product

Thursday July 2, 2026 8:04 am PDT by
Apple's first product release of summer 2026 occurred this week, but do not get too excited, as it is merely the Beats Solo Buds in a new color. Beats Solo Buds are now offered in orange through Best Buy in the U.S., with availability set to expand to 7-Eleven stores in Japan on July 4. Apple already offered orange Solo Buds in India for free with the purchase of an iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 ...
iPhone 4 on Black Feature

Apple Facing One of Its Worst Leaks Since the iPhone 4

Thursday July 2, 2026 9:53 am PDT by
Apple supplier Tata Electronics recently suffered a cyberattack that resulted in thousands of confidential files being published on the dark web, and this reportedly included some photos and documents related to the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro. We have elected not to share any of the leaked photos in this story due to the illegal nature in which they were obtained, but they can easily be found...