HDMI input switching has never been so much fun
Voice control over your Fire TV is a great feature of Alexa. Use an Alexa voice remote or a Dot to just ask for the show you want and it will appear. But when it comes to doing important things like turning on the TV, changing the volume or switching HDMI ports, unless you have the $120 Fire TV Cube, it’s back to the remote you go.
Amazon is looking to free you from these common chores and give you complete hands-free control over your television set-up with the launch of the Fire TV Blaster.
Guide: Fire TV voice controls with Alexa
For £34.99, this 2-inch device sits on your media center and lets you turn on or off your TV, change the volume, or switch inputs, all with your voice. Remote controls your days are numbered.
An infrared (IR) companion device, the Fire TV Blaster is a simple black box with an IR blaster and Wi-Fi connectivity, there’s no speaker or microphone in here. On the back is the USB power port plus an extra port for attaching an included IR extender, if needed.
Read this: The best Alexa skills
Once plugged in to power the Blaster replaces all your IR remotes, so the soundbar, A/V receiver, TV and cable box – and anything connected to your HDMI ports – become Alexa compatible.
You can ask your favorite voice assistant commands such as:
“Alexa, turn off the TV”
“Alexa, turn up the soundbar volume”
“Alexa, switch to HDMI 2″
The Blaster requires a compatible Echo device and either a Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Stick 4K or Fire TV (3rd Gen). It will not work on its own, which seems weird. It’s also not compatible with Fire TV Edition televisions and soundbars, which seems even weirder.
The Fire TV Blaster is available for pre-order at Amazon today and costs £34.99 and ships 11 December. A bundle with a needed Fire TV Stick 4K and Echo Dot (3rd Gen) costs £86.98.
