Amazon Fire TV Stick in the Netherlands
Unfortunately, the introduction of Amazon's Fire TV in the Netherlands does not mean that Alexa suddenly understands Dutch. You still have to do all voice commands in English, but the Fire TV Stick now has a Dutch-language home screen to access the content, recommendations and settings. You can watch Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ and local favorites such as KIJK, NLZIET, Ziggo GO TV, Discovery+ and JUKE via this TV stick. You do need a subscription for these separate services.
Amazon is going to release two streaming sticks: the Full HD version for streaming media and the Fire TV Stick 4K Max for maximum image. Both work with Alexa and have dedicated power and volume buttons to control your TV. The TV must be suitable for this. There are over 100 million Fire TV devices in circulation worldwide. You also get access to thousands of apps, Alexa skills and channels, movies and TV episodes via Fire TV. Alexa Voice Remote allows you to search and launch content via English voice control.
Amazon Fire TV: Availability and Prices
Both sticks can be pre-ordered starting today and they will be delivered from November 17th.
The Fire TV Stick costs €39.99 and is a cheaper version. It can stream 1080p Full HD at 60 fps and is compatible with HDR content. It works with dual-band Wi-Fi on 5GHz networks and offers only Dolby Atmos support for an immersive sound. Dolby Vision is not included.
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max costs $64.99 and offers support for Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, 4K UHD, HDR and HDR10+ and WiFi 6. As with the Apple TV, your television must be compatible with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos to benefit from it. This is the first Fire TV stick with WiFi 6 support. Live View Picture-in-Picture lets you peek through your Ring video doorbell who's at the door while you continue watching your TV series.
Fire TV home screen in Dutch
Both sticks have a personal home screen in the Netherlands, with the option to pin your favorite apps so that you can quickly launch them. With App Peeks, you can explore Netflix and Prime Video content, search for content, and create profiles for a personalized experience. This is possible for 6 people in a household. They then receive tailor-made recommendations and have their own viewing history, watch lists, preferences and more. If you want to control something with your voice you have to give commands like “Alexa, find action movies”, “Alexa, fast forward” or “Alexa, play The Boys on Prime Video”.
Amazon is also developing its own TVs that will support AirPlay 2 and HomeKit. The chance that these televisions will come to the Netherlands soon is not that great.
Differences between Amazon Fire TV 4K Stick and Apple TV
Given the price, the Amazon Fire TV Stick will mainly compete with the Google Chromecast TV sticks, which have been for sale in the Netherlands for some time and cost around forty euros. In both cases, you plug a device into the back of your TV. Apple TV is a somewhat broader platform with apps, games and the ability to use as a Home hub for HomeKit. So there is more functionality, but the price is also a lot higher. Fire TV is one of the devices on which you can use Apple's TV app, so that you can see content from Apple TV+ (see also this list). If you don't have an Apple TV yet, it could be a cheap entry-level way.
Here are the main differences from the 4K Max version of the Fire TV Stick:
Appearance
The Apple TV is a TV cabinet that you place under the device, while you control everything from the couch with the Siri Remote or via an app. You can connect the Apple TV with a flexible cable and store it in a cabinet under the TV. It measures 10 x 10 cm and is 3.5 cm high and weighs almost half a kilo.
The Fire TV Stick 4K is also 10cm long, but looks like an oversized USB stick. You plug it into an HDMI port on the TV. This should be a sideways HDMI port, unless you have a lot of space behind the TV. There may be an HDMI extender in the box, if your other HDMI ports are already occupied. You also need a power connection, so there is always a cable running. It weighs just over 50 grams.
Features
The Apple TV can Play HDR, HDR10, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and more, but no HDR10+. The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max can do that: it can play all four formats: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG and Dolby Vision.
Both offer Dolby Atmos for good sound.
Apps
When it comes to apps, Apple is clearly the winner. Every conceivable streaming service is available as an app and you can add extra apps and games if you want. On both you'll find the Apple TV app and apps from Netflix, Prime Video and more. You can use VLC and Plex on both, if you have a movie library of your own. In addition, you can use Spotify, Tidal, Deezer and the like on both. The Apple TV also has Apple Music as a streaming service, the Fire TV does not.
Operation
The Apple TV has the most familiar icon menu for Apple users. You can also control with your voice via Siri, in Dutch. You also have useful extras, for example “What did he say again?” The Amazon Video app is also very clear, but you have to do voice control in English. With both devices you get a physical remote control with buttons. Universal search is not available on both devices, but you can find content from, for example, Netflix. You have to be careful not to pay for a movie on Amazon, which can be watched for free on Netflix.
If it's all about access to TV services, the Amazon Fire TV Stick is a good solution. But probably most of the TV services you need are already on your smart TV. The Apple TV has more to offer but is also a lot more expensive.
View:
- Fire TV Stick: €39.99
- Fire TV Stick 4K Max: €64.99