A new version of Amazon’s premium streaming device will include upscale technology that will make low-resolution content look like it was shot and produced in ultra-high definition (UHD/4K), the company announced this week.
The next-generation Amazon Fire TV Cube will incorporate “Super Resolution Upscaling,” which will convert high-definition content into UHD for better detail, contrast and clarity, the company said in a statement.
“With Super Resolution Upscaling, content — from movies originally made in HD to grainy family photos — will look sharper on a 4K display,” an Amazon spokesperson said in a statement.
The $140 device is currently available to pre-order on the Amazon website and will be released on October 27.
In addition to the upscale technology, Amazon says its next-generation Fire TV Cube has a few more tricks up its sleeve, including support for the new wireless data standard Wi-Fi 6E, which promises faster video streaming on Internet connections that support it.
The Amazon Fire TV Cube also includes an HDMI input, which allows streamers to control their cable boxes, Blu-Ray players and other devices with their Alexa remote. The remote is getting an upgrade too: Amazon is bundling the new Fire TV Cube with its Alexa Voice Remote Pro, which includes backlit keys, a dedicated button for pairing Bluetooth headphones and two customizable shortcut buttons.
One thing the Fire TV Cube won’t come with is an HDMI cable for connecting the device to a television set — customers will have to buy that separately. Thankfully, Amazon’s own line of HDMI cables cost just a few dollars and come in a wide variety of lengths.
The Alexa Voice Remote Pro is also compatible with many of Amazon’s line of Fire TV devices, including its popular Fire TV Sticks and the older-generation Fire TV Cube. Streamers can buy the Amazon Voice Remote Pro separately for $35, though it won’t be released until mid-November.
