US online retailer Amazon has commenced offering its Fire TV stick in Germany and Austria.
The streaming media dongle which is plugged into the TV set’s HDMI slot takes TV and video offerings from the internet to the TV screen, for example video-on-demand services, catch-up TV platforms and music portals. The internet connection is established through the household’s local Wi-Fi network.
Part of the lineup are, for example, the catch-up TV services from German public broadcasters ARD and ZDF, Amazon Prime Instant Video, Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, Putpat TV, TuneIn and Clipfish. Navigation is through the included remote control or a smartphone app.
The Fire TV stick which competes with Google Chromecast complements the streaming media box Amazon Fire TV which Amazon launched in Germany in September 2014.
The device in the size of a chewing gum package can be ordered from Amazon for €39. New Amazon Prime customers signing up for a 1-year subscription pay only €7 while existing Amazon Prime customers pay €19. Delivery to customers will commence on April 15, 2015.
The Fire TV stick will also be available in the local shops of retail chains Media Markt and Saturn.