Summary
Summary
- Alexa+ rolls out free on compatible US Fire TV devices, though some advanced features still need Prime or a paid Alexa+ plan.
- Alexa+ finds shows via conversational search and controls smart-home gear; Gemini has richer on-screen controls.
- Amazon’s move to VegaOS blocks Android APKs and custom launchers, making Google TV a more flexible choice. Pretty much every tech company on earth is racing to attract your attention for its AI features, and Amazon is no exception. The company includes many features from its 20-buck-a-month AI voice assistance for free on certain products. According to Amazon’s official news website, Alexa+ is now rolling out at no additional cost to every US customer with a compatible Fire TV device, including current Fire TV Sticks, the Fire TV Cube, Amazon Ember TVs, and supported models from Hisense and Panasonic. However, the free Fire TV version does not include everything. A Prime membership or Alexa+ Standard Plan subscription is still required for extras including Alexa Routines, specific moments from Ring camera recordings, and advanced Home Modes. That makes Alexa+ a welcome Fire TV upgrade, but not necessarily a reason to choose Amazon’s platform over Google TV. Gemini on Google TV is already the better TV assistant It can do more than just recommending good stuff Alexa+‘s biggest selling point is its smart ways of finding something to watch. Instead of typing titles word by word, Amazon’s voice assistant shows meaningful results after listening to you describe a movie you barely remember, request recommendations based on mood or genre, or talk about your favorite actors. It can also control smart-home devices such as lights and smart locks. Unlucky for Alexa, Google TV already offers similar controls — and then some — through Gemini and its Google Home panel. Gemini for TV offers the same conversational search and recommendation basics, but its most useful abilities begin after you press play. On compatible Google TVs, you can ask Gemini to change the brightness, contrast, picture mode, volume, or sound mode using natural language. Instead of pausing a dark movie and surfing through menus, you can simply say that the screen looks too dim, and Gemini will know how to take care of that. Google recently began rolling out these Gemini-powered TV controls, although availability still depends on the device, country, and language. Moreover, the Google TV Streamer can add Google TV, Gemini support, and a Thread border router to an older television, making it a compelling alternative to the Fire TV Cube. That’s especially true if you don’t want a Prime Video-centered setup. Google TV is kind of a no-brainer Amazon’s longer-term direction gives Google another advantage. The company is moving its future Fire TV hardware to VegaOS, which closes the door on Android APKs, and custom launchers. Alexa+ may now cost nothing on Fire TV, but Google’s assistant can do more with the screen in front of you, and continues to support Android.