$32.71
$42.19
I am not even going to lie; I no longer have a cable connection to my TV – because “what’s the point?” I mean, think about it: we can access all the cable channels on stream, BBC, Channel 4, ITV, etc. and whatever you cannot find on cable… you can find through streaming Netflix, Disney, Amazon Prime… So, in a world where streaming content has become the norm, the Amazon Fire Stick emerges as a tiny yet mighty device that has revolutionised the world for those who have not yet been able to buy a Smart TV. Let’s have a look at why this Firestick is my go-to.The Perfect Size First things first, let’s talk about the Fire Stick’s size. It’s small. Really small. It’s about the size of a normal USB drive (fractionally bigger), which makes it incredibly portable. You can easily take it if you are jumping in between homes or when you go on holiday to ensure you never have to stop streaming. No more cable channels in languages you promised yourself you’d learnt but never got around to.Setup, Fuss-Free? Setting up the Fire Stick should be a breeze. All you need is an HDMI port and a Wi-Fi connection, and you’re good to go. Plug it into your TV, follow the on-screen instructions, and you’ll be scrolling through your favourite streaming apps in minutes. But when has anything been that simple? All I know is that technology can be super temperamental and that it took me over 2hrs to get through it. I wouldn’t say I am tech-savvy, but I do know how to follow instructions… or so I thought! The pain was worth it, though – try it out, and please do let me know where I went wrong! Another thing about the setup I don’t necessarily like is the fact that it needs to be plugged in – a part of me wishes it could be battery-powered, but I know that comes with its own headaches, so I am unsure whether it is something I dislike or something I find mildly annoying.Alexa, play despacito! One of the most popular features is Alexa. You can activate this voice assistance by following the on-screen instructions. And then… just press the microphone button on the remote and ask Alexa to find your favourite show, play some music, or even order pizza. It’s like having your own personal assistant right there on your couch. Plus, it should understand natural language, so for all of those with strong accents, you are in luck! I personally don’t have it on, but I do have an Alexa Dot, so… I am kind of covered anyway. Alexa lives “almost” rent-free at my house!Endless Streaming Options I can’t say I have needed an app that this Firestick hasn’t got. It supports all the major streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney , and, of course, Amazon Prime Video. With thousands of apps available, you’re sure to find whatever app you need.Smooth Performance Don’t let its size fool you; the Fire Stick packs a punch when it comes to Performance. Like anything, a lot of it will depend on your internet connection, but from what I have experienced, it delivers smooth, lag-free streaming, even in high-definition or 4K. The adverts for it will tell you that it is thanks to its quad-core processor, but I do take it to faith.Semi-customisable Experience Personalisation is key, and the Fire Stick kind of understands that. So a big thumbs up is that you can arrange your favourite apps on the home screen, also offering recommendations based on your viewing history – BUT – it does not allow you to have two Amazon accounts at once. Let me explain that: my partner pays for Amazon Prime – I don’t; I pay for Amazon music, my partner doesn’t. So if I have access to Amazon music, I need to be in my account, but if I want to stream through Amazon Prime, I have to log out of my Amazon account and re-customise everything on my partner’s account – a bit of a pain BUT not a major issue.Price Perhaps one of the most appealing aspects of the Fire Stick, at least for me, is its price. It won’t break the bank, and it really helped me when all I could do was afford a £40 TV (which was a gift, by the way; talk about being broke!)So… would I recommend you to buy the Amazon Fire Stick? Absolutely yes. It is a small and mighty device that allows me to stream and watch everything I want without having to be glued to my laptop and/or phone. So join me, and let me know how it goes!
Electronics Dept
