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

157 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
157 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
157 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)
157 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
157 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)
157 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

iOS 26

iOS 26.4 Adds Two New Features to CarPlay

Tuesday March 24, 2026 1:55 pm PDT by
iOS 26.4 was released today, and it includes a couple of new features for CarPlay: an Ambient Music widget and support for voice-based chatbot apps. To update your iPhone 11 or newer to iOS 26.4, open the Settings app and tap on General → Software Update. CarPlay will automatically offer the new features so long as the iPhone connected to your vehicle is running iOS 26.4 or later....
Apple Business hero

Apple Unveils 'Apple Business' All-in-One Platform

Tuesday March 24, 2026 8:53 am PDT by
Apple today announced Apple Business, a new all-in-one platform that unifies device management, productivity tools, and customer outreach features. The service is designed to be a consolidated replacement for several of Apple's existing business-focused offerings, including Apple Business Essentials, Apple Business Manager, and Apple Business Connect. It provides organizations with a single...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Tuesday March 24, 2026 12:31 pm PDT by
Apple today released new firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and the AirPods 4. The firmware has a version number of 8B39, up from 8B34 on the AirPods Pro 3, 8B28 on the AirPods Pro 2, and 8B21 on the AirPods 4. There is no word on what's included in the firmware, but Apple has a support document with limited notes. Most updates are limited to bug fixes and performance...