Amazon’s Fire TV Cube would now be able to be connected with a webcam for video chats on your TV screen. The new component is accessible beginning today and is restricted to the more up to date second-age model of the Cube. Yet, it permits proprietors of that item to begin two-way video calls with “any Alexa-enabled device with a screen, including tablets, phones and devices like the Echo Show.” another product update that empowers video calling will start turning out today through the coming a long time in the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain.
For a webcam to be viable, as per Amazon, it must “support UVC with at least 720p resolution and 30fps,” but you’ll get a “better experience” from “webcams with 1080p resolution and 60 to 90-degree field of view from 6 to 10 feet away from the TV.” 4K webcams “are not recommended.” To make the entire cycle somewhat less difficult, Amazon has put out elite of prescribed webcams to begin from, including a few Logitech models:
- Logitech C920
- Logitech C922x
- Logitech C310
- Aukey PC-LM1E
- Wansview 101JD
Yet, there is one other little tangle you’ll need to manage: since the Fire TV Cube just has a Micro USB port on the back, you’ll need a USB-A to Micro USB connector to get this webcam usefulness going. Amazon likewise has a few picks for those:
- Startech.com
- UGREEN
- CableCreation
These video calls all beginning with video off naturally. In the event that there’s an approaching one, you’ll see the guest ID on-screen, and Alexa will stand up the guest’s name. You can reply by saying, “Alexa, answer.”
Amazon says it’s doing this to help facilitate an eccentric Christmas season where numerous individuals probably won’t see each other face to face. “Forget holding up a phone for 30 minutes, or cramming everyone in to see who’s on screen. With video calling on Fire TV Cube, you don’t even have to leave the couch to catch up with friends and family.”
There are also new upcoming features for other Fire TV devices that Amazon announced:
Ring Doorbell Camera Notifications
With holiday shopping likely to generate a flurry of package deliveries this month, Fire TV owners will be able to receive notifications on their Fire TV screen when the doorbell rings and watch the security camera video in full-screen by saying “Alexa, show me [Ring device name],” or “Alexa, talk to [Ring device name].” Fire TV devices can receive doorbell notifications for Ring doorbell devices only; Fire TV Cube (2nd generation) is not supported. Learn more about linking Ring products to Fire TV devices here.
Alexa Responses While Watching TV
Customers will be able to ask Alexa on Fire TV devices about the weather or for general information without interrupting the TV viewing or browsing experience. Responses will be answered by Alexa on a partial screen overlay on top of full-screen video playback or the Fire TV browse screen background. To get started, simply ask, “Alexa, how is the weather?” or “Alexa, how far is planet Mars?” This feature will be available on all Fire TV devices, excluding 1st Gen Fire TV Stick and 1st Gen Fire TV.