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Are you still using your remote to control your TV? How quaint. First, you have to find the thing. Then you have to pick it up. Then you have to look at it and choose which buttons to push. Forget quaint; that’s downright archaic!
OK, maybe it’s not quite a Job-level hardship, but wouldn’t it be easier (and arguably more fun) to control your TV using just your voice? That’s one of the key benefits to using Amazon’s Fire TV Cube, currently the only Fire TV device that supports hands-free Alexa commands. (Actually, there’s a caveat to that; read on.)
Normally $120, the Amazon Fire TV Cube is currently on sale for $70, the lowest price on record.
True to its name, the Fire TV Cube is, well, a cube. That means it doesn’t hide away behind your TV like Amazon’s Fire TV Sticks; rather, it’s designed to sit beside it, mostly so its eight (!) built-in microphones can more easily detect your voice.
In other words, think of this as an Amazon Echo, but for TV. (It even has Echo-like control buttons on the top: volume, microphone on/off, etc.)
It does include a traditional Fire TV remote as well, of course; not everyone wants to use voice commands all the time. What’s not included, annoyingly, is the HDMI cable you’ll need to connect it to your TV. (Here’s a 5-footer for just $4, in case you don’t have an extra lying around.)
Like all Fire TV devices, this one can stream from just about any service: Amazon (natch), Hulu, Netflix, HBO and so on. It also supports games and other apps, one key advantage over Roku streamers.
And speaking of advantages, the Fire TV Cube offers a rare one: an Ethernet adapter, meaning it can plug directly into your modem or router. That could be important if Wi-Fi connectivity in your house isn’t great.
If that’s not something you need, I’m going to make the case for choosing the Fire TV Stick 4K Max instead. Currently on sale for just $45 (save $10), it works with next-gen Wi-Fi 6 and has a remote that supports push-button Alexa commands. Want Cube-like hands-free operation? Any Alexa device you might already have — like one of the aforementioned Echo smart speakers — can take that on.
Plus, the Fire TV Stick plugs directly into the back of your TV, so you don’t have to look at it. (The Cube is cute but maybe not so decor-friendly.) No HDMI cable required, either.
Ultimately it’s your call; either of these would deliver a great streaming upgrade to your TV.
Looking for more great Amazon deals? Check these out:
TV deals:
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TCL 50-inch Class 4-Series 4K UHD Smart Roku LED TV, $330 (was $500), amazon.com
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Hisense 43-inch Class R6090G Roku 4K UHD Smart TV, $300 (was $400), amazon.com
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Sony X85J 85-inch 4K Ultra HD LED Smart Google TV, $1,798 (was $2,500), amazon.com
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Vizio 58-inch V-Series 4K UHD LED HDR Smart TV, $398 (was $530), amazon.com
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Amazon Fire TV 43-inch 4-Series 4K UHD Smart TV, $260 (was $370), amazon.com
Headphones and earbud deals:
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Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G Factory Unlocked Android Cell Phone, $500 (was $700), amazon.com
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Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earbuds, $180 (was $250), amazon.com
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Fitbit Luxe Fitness and Wellness Tracker, $100 (was $150), amazon.com
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Beats Studio3 Wireless Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones, $199 (was $350), amazon.com
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Garmin vivoactive 4S Smaller-Sized GPS Smartwatch, $250 (was $350), amazon.com
Smart home:
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Facebook Portal, $79 (was $179), amazon.com
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Ohlux Smart WiFi LED Light Bulbs 4-pack, $28 (was $40), amazon.com
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ecobee SmartThermostat, $199 (was $249), amazon.com
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Amazon eero 6 dual-band mesh Wi-Fi 6 system, $195 (was $279), amazon.com
Video game deals:
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SkyTech Archangel 3.0 Gaming Computer PC Desktop, $1,400 (was $1,600), amazon.com
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NBA 2K22 for PlayStation 4, $20 (was $60), amazon.com
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Razer Basilisk X Hyperspeed Wireless Gaming Mouse, $35 (was $60), amazon.com
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Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle for Nintendo Switch Standard Edition, $20 (was $60), amazon.com
Vacuum deals:
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Samsung Jet 75 Stick Cordless Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner, $399 (was $499), amazon.com
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eufy by Anker BoostIQ RoboVac 11S (Slim), $158 (was $230), amazon.com
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Coredy R750 Robot Vacuum Cleaner, $210 with on-page coupon (was $321), amazon.com
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OKP Life K2 Robot Vacuum Cleaner, $115 with on-page coupon (was $300), amazon.com
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eufy by Anker, BoostIQ RoboVac 11S MAX, $170 (was $250), amazon.com
Fashion deals:
Kitchen deals:
Beauty deals:
Bedding deals:
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MooMee Bedding Queen Duvet Cover Set, $60 (was $80), amazon.com
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Utopia Bedding Queen Comforter Duvet Insert, $30 (was $39), amazon.com
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Intelligent Design Queen Cozy Comforter, $50 (was $90), amazon.com
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Abco 7-inch Bed Wedge Pillow, $30 (was $40), amazon.com
Health and Wellness
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Touchless Forehead Thermometer for Adults and Kids, $19 with on-page coupon (was $30), amazon.com
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Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes Fresh Scent 10-pack, $13 (was $18), amazon.com
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Yiderbo Black KN95 5-Ply 50-piece Disposable Face Masks, $40 (was $50), amazon.com
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femometer Touchless Thermometer, $19 with on-page coupon (was $30), amazon.com
Sports & Outdoors
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NordicTrack Commercial Studio Cycle, $1,500 (was $2,199), amazon.com
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Kan Jam Original Disc Throwing Game, $34 (was $40), amazon.com
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Gaiam Yoga Mat, $24 (was $35), amazon.com
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Sport Squad 2-in-1 Football Toss and Flying Disc Toss Backyard and Lawn Game, $43 (was $60), amazon.com
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Xterra Fitness FB350 Folding Exercise Bike, $147 (was $200), amazon.com
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