Amazon kills its Android Appstore while Google Play remains the go-to choice


Amazon has announced that is finally pulling the plug on its Android Appstore, and that’s not all -- Amazon Coins are going down with it too. From August 20, 2025, Amazon says the Appstore on Android devices will be no more. That means no new downloads, no updates, and good luck expecting your existing apps to keep working. If you’re still relying on it, now’s the time to move on.
If you have subscriptions through the Appstore you will be able to manage or cancel them for now, but once the shutdown happens, it’s all over. That said, Amazon isn’t shutting down the Appstore entirely. It will still exist on Fire TV and Fire tablets, which makes sense since those are Amazon’s own products. But if you’re using a regular Android phone or tablet? Sorry, you’re out of luck.
TCL's 2023 Fire TV models will elevate your NFL Football viewing experience


Today we have some exciting news, fellow NFL Football fans. TCL has announced its latest TV models for the U.S. market, boasting the integration of Fire TV in both its QLED Q Class and Smart S Class series. These TVs should provide an excellent viewing experience for watching football.
The integration of Fire TV in their latest lineup offers an enriched user experience, blending a user-friendly interface with access to a plethora of entertainment options - be it streaming services with over 200,000 movies and TV episodes, Amazon Luna cloud gaming, or conventional satellite and cable content.
Want NFL Sunday Ticket without DirecTV? Amazon Prime may give you that chance


We found out a while back that the NFL will not be renewing its DirecTV Sunday Ticket deal, after a years-long run. The top-viewed sports league has decided to move on and no longer require its viewers to get a satellite dish installed just to watch their favorite team in action. Instead, the NFL is moving on to something that it hopes will attract an even broader viewership.
For a while, it seemed that Apple TV+ was the lead streaming candidate, but a new survey indicates that is no longer the case. According to The Streamable, Apple TV+ actually trails its major competitors in terms of viewer choice.
YouTube TV now on Amazon Fire TV


Back in July, the YouTube app finally returned to the Amazon Fire TV platform. This was great news for both Google and Amazon, but more importantly, consumers were the big winners. Owners of Fire TV devices finally had an official app for watching YouTube.
Google and Amazon had promised that YouTube TV -- the search giant's live television service -- would come to Fire TV too, but for whatever reason, it did not debut with the return of the regular YouTube app. Thankfully, starting today, Fire TV owners can finally access YouTube TV on their devices -- as long as they have a compatible model.
YouTube app returns to Amazon Fire TV, while Prime Video comes to Chromecast


A few months back, we shared with you some very, very good news -- Amazon and Google were burying the hatchet. You see, the two giant companies were at odds, keeping their respective video apps from each other's hardware platforms. Then in April, the two companies announced that the feud was over -- YouTube was coming back to Amazon Fire TV, while Prime Video would come to Chromecast.
Wow! Great news, right? Well, yes and no. While it was undoubtedly positive, it was not immediate -- consumers would have to wait months for this to happen, sadly. Well, folks, today it finally becomes a reality!
The Kodi Foundation DOES NOT MAKE HARDWARE!


Do you own a Kodi box? The open source home theater software runs on all manner of hardware, from Windows, Mac and Linux systems, to Kodi boxes and the Amazon Fire TV Stick.
All of the many devices running Kodi have one thing in common though -- they aren’t official Kodi products, and they haven’t been made or licensed by the Kodi Foundation.
Howard Stern SiriusXM video content comes to Amazon Fire TV


Howard Stern is arguably the greatest broadcaster of all time -- his radio show is legendary for its innovation and laugh-out-loud comedy. For well over 30 years, Stern has been broadcasting in some form -- first terrestrial radio, but since 2006, he has been on satellite (what is now known as SiriusXM).
As great as listening to Howard is, his show can be very visual too -- it can be very rewarding to actually see what is happening in his radio studio. His E! television show is long gone, as is his "Howard TV" on demand service. Thankfully, the SiriusXM mobile app for Android and iOS now offers Howard Stern video content. Of course, wouldn't it be better to watch that content on your television rather than a small screen? Starting today you can, as the video content is now available on Amazon Fire TV. Previously, the only way to get the video onto your TV was using a Chromecast dongle.
Amazon Fire TV Stick now comes with Alexa Voice Remote at same affordable price


Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos may be having a difficult time in his personal life right now, but professionally, the multi-billionaire is doing phenomenally. Amazon's stock is through the roof, and there seems to be no slowing down the online retailer. Long gone are the days when the company just sold books and other manufacturers’ products -- these days, Amazon offers its own hardware and services. Not only is its line of Echo speakers wildly profitable, but there is Kindle, Fire HD tablets, and Fire TV media devices too.
One of Amazon's greatest devices is the Fire TV Stick. This little HDMI dongle is insanely affordable at just under $40, while offering access to many popular streaming media services, like Netflix, Hulu, and its own Prime Video. Seriously, folks, even though this particular model doesn't offer 4K video playback, it is still a great value. Today, Amazon announces that the popular Fire TV Stick will soon come with the amazing Alexa Voice Remote. That must mean the company is raising the price, right? Actually...
Amazon unveils Fire TV Stick 4K with Alexa Voice Remote, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+


Traditional cable TV providers should be very worried. These days, it is easier than ever to cut the cord. Thanks to streaming media, a small box, dongle, or stick can deliver high-quality movies, TV, and music over the internet. Using myself as an example, I leverage YouTube TV, Apple Music, Amazon Prime Video, and Netflix for all of media needs. The local TV provider no longer gets my money -- except as my ISP, that is.
Believe it or not, 4K content is becoming more and more common, and lately, 4K streaming devices have become very affordable. Last month, for instance, Roku unveiled new 4K devices starting at just $39.99 -- $10 more if you want the voice remote. Not wanting to be left out, today, Amazon unveils the Fire TV Stick 4K and it looks like an insane value. Not only does it come with an all-new Alexa Voice Remote, but it features Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and HDR10+ too -- all at a rock-bottom price.
Amazon Introduces a new companion DVR -- Fire TV Recast


Amazon’s surprise hardware event in Seattle today revealed a lot of new Alexa-powered devices, but it’s the Fire TV Recast that will be of most interest to a lot of users.
It’s a new companion DVR that lets you watch, record, and replay free over-the-air TV programming on the Fire TV, Echo Show, and on compatible Fire tablet, iOS, and Android devices.
Running Kodi on Amazon Fire TV or Fire TV Stick? You're at risk from cryptocurrency mining malware


Amazon’s Fire TV products are very popular with Kodi users, because it’s easy to install the media center software on it, along with any streaming add-ons.
Users of Kodi boxes are used to hearing of potential dangers -- some threats of which need to be taken with a pinch of salt -- but there’s a new malware variant that’s infecting Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick devices globally, and which could well be on your device now.
Amazon Fire TV Cube puts Alexa in control of your home entertainment


It was only a matter of time before Amazon properly combined two of its biggest home grown product lines -- Fire TV and Amazon Echo -- and today we get to see what the end result looks like.
Amazon Fire TV Cube is a hands-free 4K Ultra HD streaming media player with Alexa built in, allowing you to control your TV from across the room. You can use your voice to play, pause, and resume content, but that’s not all.
Microsoft's WebTV returns as Firefox for Amazon Fire TV


Surfing the web on your television is hardly new. In fact, WebTV (later renamed MSNTV) launched over 20 years ago. If you don't remember that device, it was essentially a box that connected to a television and let people surf the web and access email. It was marketed towards those that were averse to buying or using a full-fledged computer, such as grandma and pop-pop. Over time, its popularity decreased, and ultimately, the service was shutdown by its eventual owner -- Microsoft.
Accessing a web browser on a TV-connected device remains an easy affair, but starting today, it may be even easier. You see, the Firefox web browser is now available for the low-cost Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick. In other words, if you know someone who doesn't want a computer but could benefit from occasional web browsing, Amazon's media box may be a great option. I guess you could say that Firefox for Amazon Fire TV is sort of the new WebTV!
Google yanks YouTube from Echo Show and Fire TV in Amazon spat


Google has announced plans to block its YouTube apps from Amazon's Echo Show and Fire TV as the situation between the two companies stepped up a notch. This is, of course, not the first time this has happened.
The bad feeling stems from Amazon's unwillingness to stock Google products such as Chromecast, Nest and Google Home, and refusing to make its Prime Video service available to uses of Google Cast. Amazon's use of a "hacked" version of the YouTube app on its hardware has also been a bone of contention.
Amazon makes Fire TV Stick available in over 100 countries


Not long after releasing the original Amazon Fire TV as a small set-top box, Amazon shrunk its player down into stick form. It's a small dongle that plugs directly into an HDMI port on your TV or monitor, or even an HDMI switch if you'd like to easily move between sources.
Now the retail giant is opening up the market for the Fire TV Stick to people around the globe, bringing entertainment to everyone.
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