Amazon debuts new look user interface for Fire TV media streamers, adds features

Amazon is rolling out a new user interface for its Fire TV devices. Already available on the 4K Fire TV media streamer, it will migrate to the Fire TV Stick and the first generation Fire TV in early 2017. The design moves away from the original vertical design to a new a home screen with widescreen image area which sits atop navigable bars of themed content. 

A cinematic rotator presents video content for trailers and clips which autoplay when a show or movie is highlighted, as well as screenshots. There’s also now a customisable apps list on the home screen. Users can pin their content to the ‘My Apps & Games’ row, which is permanently fixed on the home page for quick access.

Users with visual or hearing impairments have enhanced functionality through the VoiceView screen reader. The VoiceView screen reader includes settings such as Reading Speed and Speech Volume. While navigating movies and TV shows, after a short pause, VoiceView will speak details about the selected item such as the rating, length and description.

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The platform also has enhanced search. As well as voice searching content in Amazon’s own video library, cross-app search pulls voice search results from Netflix. Amazon says more content services will be integrated over time. Content also benefits from new detail pages.

The new Fire TV is available for the Fire TV with 4K UHD now, and will be available for Fire TV Stick and the first generation Fire TV in early 2017.