Amazon is launching a new Alexa Voice Remote for Fire TV devices, as spotted by AFTVNews. The new remote looks a lot like its 2020 predecessor, although it adds four new app buttons.
This is the first time that Amazon has included app buttons on the remote for its Fire TV player, although they do feature on the remote that ships with the Fire TV Edition television and sound bar. App buttons allow users to rapidly open the app that they correspond to.
App Buttons May Vary
The app buttons vary based on location. In the United States, the new controller includes buttons for Prime Video (no surprise there!), Netflix, the ultra-popular upstart Disney+, and Hulu. However, in Canada and Germany there is a button for Amazon Music. In India, one of the buttons is labelled “Apps.”
There is also now a blue Alexa-themed button for starting voice commands, replacing the previous black microphone button. Finally, there are the words Fire TV added at the bottom of the remote. On the previous version, it simply read Amazon.
Currently Unavailable
It is not clear whether Amazon plans to debut any additional new hardware to accompany the new remote control.
It is currently listed on Amazon, although its present availability is described as “Currently unavailable. We don’t know when or if this item will be back in stock.”