Latest news with #AmazonFireTVSticks
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Get a 'fast and reliable' Fire TV Stick rival for £5 - but the deal is selling fast
The Roku Express HD streaming stick is one of the closest rivals to the Fire TV Stick, and in a savvy deal stack it can be bought for less than £5 - here's how Amazon Fire TV Sticks are undoubtedly some of the most adaptable devices available for those looking to enhance their smart TVs, but we've found something for a fraction of the price. Rival Roku offer the same plug-in perks, and its streaming gadget can now be bought for £5. The Roku Express HD streaming stick is one of the fiercest competitors to the Fire TV Stick due to its similarities and, naturally, its looks and appearance, but there are numerous differences to bear in mind. One of the top features shoppers favour about the Roku device is the interface. Thanks to TopCashback, shoppers can get the device for slightly less than £5. Those who buy the device from Currys but through TopCashback's links will give shoppers a proportion of their money back. Man shares 'gran's cream' that 'cleared spots and blemishes in four days' VPN fans rushing for free £50 Amazon voucher thanks to stellar NordVPN offer New TopCashback members and Currys customers will receive £4.82 back after cashback, bringing the total cost down significantly. When it comes to content, there's also a broader range of apps to choose from. It's also not part of the Amazon ecosystem, so unless shoppers are a massive fan of Alexa and being in the Amazon ecosystem, Roku could be an option. In terms of specs, the device allows viewers to watch in 1080p and has a vast range of apps and channels, including iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4, My5, UKTV Play and STV, reports the Mirror. There's also Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV, NOW TV, STV, Google Play Movies and TV, Rakuten TV, Sky Store, Sky News, Pluto TV, BBC Sport, Rakuten, Crunchyroll, and Hayu. For music enthusiasts, there's even Spotify, Deezer, Tidal and TuneIn Radio. The device boasts excellent reviews and provides an alternative to the Amazon Fire TV Stick at a higher price point. Google's 4K Streamer Kit is also available for £99.99, offering swift performance and sleek design for accessing all necessary streaming applications. The Roku Express has more than 1000 reviews from shoppers, with many praising its interface and connection. As one user said: "Roku Express is way better than its rivals. Connection to Wi-Fi is so easy and never drops out like my last streaming stick. "It is also much faster and reliable than others, and it broadcasts in HD where available". Another reviewer noted: "Good low-cost solution for streaming multiple TV services. "We especially like the simplified remote control. Set up is easy, but you do need to open a Roku account using a credit card; however, PIN protection helps limit the risk of unintended (or unauthorised) purchases." Nevertheless, some users expressed dissatisfaction with the limited functionality of the Roku remote. As one person said: "It was really easy to set up and use, as well as the simplicity of finding and setting up streaming services via Roku. "But the reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because it doesn't have a power button or volume controls, which meant I still had to" use my TV remote as well as the Roku remote, which was a bit of a nuisance having to keep two remotes handy rather than just one. Here's how to get a Roku Stick for £5 Sign up as a new member. Find Currys on the site and hit 'Get Cashback Now' Shop and check out as usual on the Currys website with the Roku stick in your basket Cashback will track and pop up in your TopCashback account within seven working days of the transaction
Daily Mirror
01-08-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Snap up an Amazon Fire TV Stick rival for £5 as deal sells fast
The Roku Express stick is only £5 if shoppers stack these two deals together Amazon Fire TV Sticks are probably some of the most versatile devices on the market for those wanting to upgrade their smart TVs. But there's a great deal that shoppers can grab on an Amazon Fire TV Stick rival for only £5. The Roku Express HD streaming stick is one of the closest rivals to the Fire TV Stick due to its similarities and, of course, its looks and appearance, but there are many differences to consider. One of the best things shoppers prefer about the Roku device is the interface. Many shoppers and reviewers claim the Roku has a much cleaner and clearer interface than the Amazon rival. When it comes to content, there's also a wider range of apps to pick from. It's also not part of the Amazon ecosystem so unless shoppers are a huge fan of Alexa and being in the Amazon ecosystem, Roku could be an option. In terms of specs, the device allows viewers to watch in 1080p and has a huge range of apps and channels including iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4, My5, UKTV Play and STV. Streaming-wise, there's also Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV, NOW TV, STV, Google Play Movies & TV, Rakuten TV, Sky Store, Sky News, Pluto TV, BBC Sport, Rakuten, Crunchyroll, and Hayu. For music lovers, there's even Spotify, Deezer, Tidal and TuneIn Radio. Thanks to TopCashback, shoppers can get the device for slightly less than £5. Buying the device from Currys, but through TopCashback's links, will give shoppers a proportion of their money back, as we explain below. Here's how to get a Roku Stick for £5: Begin by signing up as a new member via this TopCashback link. Find Currys on the site and hit 'Get Cashback Now' Shop and check out as usual on the Currys website with the Roku stick in your basket Cashback will track and pop up in your TopCashback account within seven working days of the transaction In total, new members of TopCashback and all customers of Currys will get £4.82 after cashback. For those who want to get a better upgrade for their streaming stick, the Roku 4K Stick is currently £44.99 on Argos. It has glowing reviews and offers a different take on the Amazon Fire Stick at a higher price. There's also Google's 4K Streamer Kit, which costs £99.99. It's speedy and sleek and allows shoppers to watch all the shows with all the apps they need. Reviewers have been in love with the Roku Express, with more than 1000 reviews. One reviewer said: "Roku Express is way better than its rivals. Connection to Wi-Fi is so easy and never drops out like my last streaming stick. "It is also much faster and reliable than others, and it broadcasts in HD where available". Another reviewer added: "Good low-cost solution for streaming multiple TV services. "We especially like the simplified remote control. Set up is easy, but you do need to open a Roku account using a credit card; however, PIN protection helps limit the risk of unintended (or unauthorized) purchases." However, not everyone was super pleased because of the lack of controls with the Roku remote. One shopper added: "It was really easy to set up and use, as well as the simplicity of finding and setting up streaming services via Roku. "But the reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because it doesn't have a power button or volume controls, which meant I still had to" use my TV remote as well as the Roku remote, which was a bit of a nuisance having to keep two remotes handy rather than just one.
Daily Mirror
30-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
BBC iPlayer rivals Sky TV with a vital free upgrade - check your settings now
The BBC is finally offering a boost that Sky customers have enjoyed for a while. Millions of UK homes continue to switch over to streaming content online rather than using traditional methods such as a TV aerial or satellite dish. Recent stats from Sky show that its Glass TV and Stream Box (which are both powered by broadband) make up the majority of new sales, and there's now the recent arrival of Freely as well, which offers live TV via the internet. With endless hours of content to watch, along with its ease of use and simple DIY installation, it's no surprise that the streaming revolution shows no signs of slowing. However, if you've ever tried to watch live sport, you'll know there is one very annoying issue. Services such as BBC iPlayer have a delay which can be up to 30-40 seconds. That's no issues when watching a quiz show or a movie, but it's a nightmare when tuning into football, rugby or tennis action. When something major happens during a match, those texts arriving from friends and family, or the roar from the neighbours can ruin things when your TV is so far behind. It's something Sky has already begun fixing with a new update to its streaming devices, now cutting the latency down to just a few seconds. Now, in a bid to match its rival, the BBC has confirmed that it is working on something very similar. "The delay on iPlayer has reduced significantly in recent times but is still around 40 seconds," the BBC explained. "Many streaming services today have similar delays. On our broadcast services the end to end delay is just 8-10 seconds - a significant difference. "For some content, viewers may not notice, but for live sport and for live events with a social media following, delays can detract from the viewing experience. "We are aiming to address these delays whilst maintaining a high quality of experience through our work on 'low latency streaming'." This change is currently in development with the BBC saying that it is offering iPlayer users the chance to test it out before an official release. Homes with 3rd and 2nd generation Amazon Fire TV Sticks, along with owners of Samsung's CU8000 and CU8500 TVs can head to their settings and switch on the iPlayer Beta experience. This test version will then show streams with less lag. The BBC says that the initial trial will run on BBC Two between 9am and 5pm for viewers who have enabled 'iPlayer beta' in settings and have set their location to England or Scotland. "This trial is to help us understand how well low latency streaming can cope with the real world performance of our viewers' internet connections. We are starting small but hope to expand the trial as we gain confidence in its performance," the BBC added.
Daily Record
27-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
'Brilliant' 4K HD TV that's 'effectively a Firestick' slashed from £280 to £170
"Love this TV. I can't believe how much spec and apps you get with it, especially for the price." Next week, the first generation of Amazon Fire TV Sticks will lose access to Netflix. These small devices are a relatively cheap way to access all your favourite streaming services, but this sudden change may push some users into finding a more secure alternative. One way to do this, though slightly more expensive, is to buy a smart TV. And depending on which one you buy, it may come with Fire TV built in, which will give shoppers access to their favourite TV shows and movies without the fear that popular apps will disappear when they are no longer compatible. For those looking for a bargain, Amazon currently has a cracking deal on the TCL 43-inch 4K Ultra HD TV. Normally retailing for the relatively cheap price of £279, savvy shoppers can now grab this quality TV for only £170.10 - saving over £100. As one of the tellies equipped with Fire TV, shoppers will be able access Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV+, Disney+ and so much more all on one TV. Additionally, the TV comes with Freely, which gives users access to their favourite Freeview channels without having to battle with an aerial to keep a strong connection. In terms of visuals, the TCL TV is equipped with 4K HDR as well as Dolby Vision, which uses cinema technology to transform the TV experience to deliver brighter brights, deeper darks and a wider range of colours. The audio is also boosted by Dolby Sound to complete the immersive experience. Additionally, if users want to be extra lazy, they are able to control the TV with their voice. Simply press the Alexa button on the remote and ask Alexa to open your latest binge watch. This means shoppers will be able to save time on mindlessly scrolling through all the apps to find something to watch. However, if shoppers are wanting to have a look around before making their purchase, Amazon has also dropped the price of the Hisense 43-Inch 4K QLED Smart TV. Normally retailing at £259, for a limited time only shoppers will be able to snap this TV for £220. For shoppers looking for a larger Smart TV, Argos is selling the Toshiba 65-inch Smart 4K HDR Freely TV for £359. However, this can be reduced down to £323.10 if shoppers add the code RED10 at checkout. It should be noted that shoppers will need to be quick to make their purchase though, as the discount ends on June 3. Back on Amazon, this TCL Fire TV currently has a 4.2 star rating, with many shoppers saying they were impressed by the quality and apps they received from the budget TV. One shopper happily praised: "This is a good television, it's easy to use and is good entertainment value. I would highly recommend this television." With another shopper writing: "Amazing quality television for the money. If you use a Firestick at all then this TV allows you to release it for another TV as it effectively is a Firestick in a TV. 10/10" However, a few shoppers noted some issues, as one person wrote: "I bought two of these TVs, one for me and one for my in-laws. My TV has worked without issue, but the other TV has issues in that the satellite stations keep disappearing and it requires a retune each time. "Amazon were very responsive and are sending out a replacement TV. Hopefully we will have better luck with that. Other than that the TV is great for the price. If I were to pick holes I would say the sound is weak." Another shopper followed on saying: "This isn't an expensive TV. The picture quality is ok. The sound is very tinny. The addition of a cheap sound bar improves it no end. I'm only installing this as a guest TV in the bedroom, isn't getting used on a daily basis." Despite this, another shopper was blown away by the TV, writing: "Love this TV. I can't believe how much spec and apps you get with this TV, especially for the price. I thought I'd have to buy a new indoor aerial for this TV but it works from your WiFi so no cable all over the place. "Loads of apps. An app for your phone to control from, also voice activated through the remote. Best TV bought to date. Brilliant. AI technology for colour and screen sizing . No lagging, very slim and looks great." A five-star reviewer also commented: "Giving this review after 1 week of using. Really great for the price. I had a doubt how the setup will work but its really smooth, connected to wifi easily, able to installed the apps and there you are.. all set! Picture quality is very good, sound is okay, loved it." Click HERE to buy the TCL 43-inch 4K Ultra HD TV. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Netflix to stop working on two Amazon Fire TV Sticks in DAYS – check to see if you're affected before shutdown
Last year, the Netflix app vanished from dozens of Sony and Apple TV models that were also roughly a decade old NOT-FLIX Netflix to stop working on two Amazon Fire TV Sticks in DAYS – check to see if you're affected before shutdown Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NETFLIX will reportedly stop working on three Amazon Fire gadgets soon, as the devices age into retirement. From 3 June, two Fire Sticks and a Fire TV box will lose Netflix forever - so you better cancel that subscription, or upgrade your devices. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 First-generation Fire TV Stick Credit: Amazon 2 First-generation Fire TV box Credit: Amazon The shutdown affects the original Fire TV box, the first Fire TV Stick, and the Fire TV Stick with Alexa voice remote - Amazon's oldest Fire TV products. These first-generation gadgets are now all over a decade old, having first hit shelves in November 2014 (in the US). Brits, however, were able to get their hands on the devices in April 2015. If your OG Fire Stick is still alive and kicking, you should have received an email from Netflix warning of the change, according to PC World. Affected viewers have two choices: buy a newer Fire TV gadget (or a telly streaming rival like a Roku Stick or Google Streamer) and continue streaming Netflix just like before. Or, alternatively, viewers can wave goodbye to Netflix and cancel their subscription. The first-generation Fire TV devices will still have all the other apps, such as BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4, Prime Video and Disney+ - for now. But other platforms may too decide to pull their services from ageing tech later down the line. Last year, the Netflix app vanished from dozens of Sony and Apple TV models that were also roughly a decade old. Amazon Fire Stick trick lets you find lost remote instantly using hidden 'ringer' The streaming giant hasn't said why exactly it's pulling support for older devices. However, it's likely down to newer video standards, which help deliver better picture quality to Netflix subscribers paying for Premium packages, a report from CordBusters noted. Amazon has also stopped supporting these first-generation Fire TV devices - meaning they no longer receive software or security updates. So not only are they a security risk, these older gadgets are struggling to keep up with modern streaming demands.
