Recognition: Eric Zeman / Android Authority
- Amazon has improved live viewing on Fire TV.
- Alexa can hear shows based on their names, not just based on their channels.
- You’ll also see new channels from IMDb, Xumo and (soon) Plex.
Now, your Fire TV device is even more useful when you prefer to watch real-time sports and shows instead of waiting for the reruns. Amazon is upgrading the Fire TV experience that will allow you to both watch live shows and find more content.
Above all, Alexa can now set shows not only by channel, but also by name. For example, you can ask Alexa to “play the Eagles game” when the big NFL match begins. The addition can be especially helpful if you don’t remember that the network was broadcasting a particular program, and it probably corresponds to the way you think about broadcasting traditional shows.
Connected: The best Amazon Fire TV apps
Accordingly, live shows are displayed in the App Peek function of the new Fire TV interface. Move the mouse pointer over an app like Pluto TV and you will get an insight into the broadcast without starting the app itself.
There are also more choices for live footage on Fire TV, and you don’t have to pay for it. Amazon is adding free, ad-supported channels for IMDb TV, Xumo and its own news app to the live suite of its platform. The recently launched service from Plex is also “coming soon”.
Not all functions are generally available yet. App peeks for live shows are currently limited to the third generation Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick Lite. Other devices will be supported later in March. However, this could make Amazon’s media centers far more compelling if you’re interested in more than the usual on-demand movies and TV series.