What to choose: Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV?

Our colleagues from iMore.com wrote interesting article about Amazon Fire TV, which examined in detail all the nuances of the new Extender and drawing parallels with respect to Apple TV, compared the two products. We decided to translate it for you, dear readers.

Fire TV from Amazon - is the answer to apple Apple TV and competitors' products, like the Roku 3 and Google Chromecast. Extender provides access to proprietary features Amazon, as the Instant Video, Showtime Anytime, as well as a variety of games on the big screen of your TV. Of course, she will not be able to play content from iTunes, and it means the futility of all your movies, music and apps purchased on the iPhone or iPad. However, if you do not have a large "legacy» iTunes or you want to try something new, you have a choice!

Apple TV vs Amazon Fire TV: Design and initial configuration

After opening the box with the Fire TV, I was surprised by the small size and flat form factor. She's a little more than Apple TV sizes, but thinner than the last. Thanks to it, console looks very cool, and most importantly, it does not take much space and can be placed on any surface. To start using the Fire TV simply plug in the power cord and HDMI cable.

In the case of Apple TV setup process is completely analogous, connect two cables and you're done.

Winner: tie.

Fire TV vs. Apple TV: Remote control

Ease of use extender, depends largely on the remote control. Personally I can not stand remote from the Apple TV, for what he always slips and lost among the blankets and cushions. As a result, it is necessary to always put the "face down" somewhere in the living room. However, it is very convenient and easy to use. Also, Apple TV plus a variety of shortcuts that allow you to quickly navigate between popular features. And do not forget about Remote.app application, cool facilitate text entry and control gestures.

Remote from the Fire TV, compared with Apple looks thicker, but it seems to me - it's more a plus. It is much easier to hold in your hand and it does not get stuck in the cushions. But the key fichey panel Fire TV, without a doubt, is the voice control. You can use the search by the TV series, movies, actors and more. Want to see all movies with Christian Bale? No problem, just say the name and the Fire TV will give you the full list. The only downside is that at the moment, the prefix is ​​looking for information on Amazon services only. That is, even if you are logged into the Netflix or Hulu Plus, by using voice control to find them it will not work - will have to be sought in the hand, with the appropriate applications.

Both units are easy to learn and easy to use, but the Fire TV can offer more opportunities "out of the box", to install additional applications unnecessarily. We believe this is a plus, because the voice search is easier than the manual text input.

Winner: Amazon Fire TV.

Fire TV vs. Apple TV: Interface and Design

on the Apple TV interface, navigation is performed using a list of icons that can be configured in the settings. The top row remains unchanged and includes shortcuts for quick access to the iTunes Store, iTunes Radio, music and media files with other computers on your home network (via iTunes of course). All other icons you can arrange as you wish or even hide. Everyone who has used iOS-devices - will be familiar to Apple TV interface.

Fire TV also uses a vertical menu, divided into categories on the left side of the screen, leaving the lion's share of space to preview the content that is contained in each section. Scrolling up or down immediately displays the whole content of the respective category. This interface is very intuitive and more precisely focused on the content, which is always in front of your eyes. Sometimes, when you move on Apple TV menu, it's a little retarding, Fire TV also does not have this disadvantage, that can not but rejoice.

Apple TV interface is a little outdated (but this should fix the future update approx. per.). But the Fire TV shell on the contrary, was for me a welcome breath of fresh air.

Winner: Amazon Fire TV.

Fire TV vs. Apple TV: Movies and TV shows

And iTunes and Amazon offer a huge selection of movies and TV shows. What better service is right for you depends on your preferences and ecosystems, which you find yourself surrounded. If you have an Amazon Prime subscription, you can watch movies for free Amazon Instant, and they're often available sooner than iTunes.

On the other hand, if you buy years of content in iTunes, it will be fully accessible on Apple TV via iCloud. Music and movies from all your iPhone, iPad and Mac, will also be available from anywhere.

Both services are good and can offer content for all tastes, so it all depends on who you prefer to give their money.

Winner: tie.

Fire TV vs. Apple TV: Music

Apple TV gives you access to the iTunes Radio and all content from iTunes Match - hundreds of radio stations to suit all tastes are always at your disposal. If you have an iPhone or iPad, you'll be using AirPlay to stream music with them from any service directly to Apple TV.

Fire TV supports Pandora, iHeartRadio, TuneIn Radio, VEVO and some other services. But given its recent release in the near future we can expect an even greater number of broadcast streaming services. In the meantime, thanks to the support of the iTunes, the leader without doubt remains Apple TV. Also, I wonder why Amazon still has not introduced its own music store and services.

Taking into account the integration with iTunes and support the AirPlay, which opens access to a variety of alternative services, this paragraph wins Apple TV.

Winner: Apple TV.

Fire TV vs. Apple TV: Applications

In the case of Apple TV, you get only the applications that come "out of the box." Sometimes Apple negotiates sodrudnichestve with new partners, and all of a sudden you are new applications and support new services. Although the list is quite extensive, Fire TV offers us an excellent alternative. Already at the time of launch, there are hundreds of applications, and there will be more soon. All applications for the Fire TV, is essentially the same Android-applications that are scaled to fit the screen size. However, they are not bad dovolno look and work perfectly.

Also do not forget about Amazon Coins, which are charged when you purchase content and that can be spent for your future purchases. This is a great way to get a legitimate applications and games for free. Who will refuse from this?

Apple has a good position in the battle for applications on mobile devices, but on the Extender is currently the leader Amazon.

Winner: Amazon Fire TV.

Fire TV vs. Apple TV: Games

Amazom optionally equips its Fire TV special game controller. Now there are quite a number of games, and they will be even more in the future. For these games you do not necessarily have a gamepad, as they can play and use kompletnogo remote control. I do not think that Amazon is going to offer Xbox game level (especially for such money), but to non-gamers gaming features Fire TV will suffice.

There are rumors of an SDK for developers of games and applications for Apple TV, but at the moment we are only "box" applications described above. Although if you have an iPhone or iPad, via AirPlay, you can easily play any of ustannovlennyh games on the big screen.

Winner: Amazon Fire TV (AirPlay does not count).

Fire TV vs. Apple TV: Universal Access

Thanks for VoiceOver, Apple TV has a fairly ample opportunities for univesalny access. This function has virtually none, not only among mediapristavok, but also among mobile devices. You can run any application or shortcut in one touch. When VoiceOver is on, the name of each menu will be spoken. All this allows people with visual impairment to use the Apple TV without any inconvenience.

The Fire TV I could not find any additional Universal Access options. Both consoles support subtitles, but this is unlikely to help visually impaired users. If you find this is critical, Fire TV is not the best choice.

Winner: Apple TV.

Who should buy the Apple TV?

Apple TV is about to be renewed, but the current generation is not worth to write off. All users are tied to the Apple ecosystem will preferably function that is exactly Apple TV: iTunes Match, iTunes Radio, iCloud - it all works fine. Also, it is very advantageous to use Apple TV to mirror your iPhone and iPad to the big screen. For people with visual impairments, it will be the best option, thanks to Voice Over function.

If you already have other products from Apple and you often buy content or have subscribed in iTunes - Apple TV will be best for you to purchase.

$99 — Buy now

Who should buy Amazon Fire TV

Anyone who has an Amazon Prime subscription, or Kindle Fire, no doubt, like the Fire TV. Despite the fact that this is only the first release - it can now offer a fairly wide opportunities. Immediately after the launch, Amazon was able to provide users with a variety of content, including applications and games. If you are not tied to the iTunes ecosystem, and Apple - Fire TV can be a great addition to your home entertainment system.

$99 — Buy now
$39 — game controller (Optional)

Who should buy two consoles?

At a price of just $ 99, many users can afford to buy both at the same Extender. This will be the ideal option, in which you get the best of the two ecosystems. Perhaps you prefer to buy your movies and music in iTunes, but you have an Amazon Prime subscription to save on shipping goods. This means that you have also access to Amazon Instant Video. If you are a shopaholic, and at the same time want to buy movies and music at the lowest prices - do not deny yourself the pleasure to have both consoles.

What would be your choice? Apple TV, Fire TV, or anything else?

Apple TV, Fire TV, of course, not the only extender in the world. Apart from these, there is Google Chromecast, Roku 3 and many others. If you already purchased for yourself one of them, tell us in comments what determines your choice?

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