Apple TV: As per the usual, Apple TV is the most aesthetically pleasing device in its industry. The box has a black matte finish and the remote has a silver “iPod” feel to it. Costing $99, the Apple TV is Apple’s least expensive device.
The best part of Apple TV is that almost every major video app is available on it (Aside from Amazon Instant Video). Additionally, it gives you access to a large variety of applications in general. Apple has recently added HBO Go and Watch ESPN. However, the app selection isn’t as vast as other platforms such as Roku.
It makes up for its fault though by having an AirPlay mirroring option. Ultimately you can play content from any of your Apple devices on your TV. One neat feature is that you can stream Pandora from your iPod to your Apple TV. AirPlay isn’t just for apps either; it can also display web pages properly.
Perhaps the reason the Apple TV isn’t as extravagant as other devices like it, is because of how old it is now. There is rumor of a new model being released in the near future, and the potential partnership with a cable company sometime this year.
All in all, if you have a lot of iTunes content, Apple TV is definitely the way to go. But for more perks, we move along to the Amazon Fire TV.
Amazon Fire TV: First things first, there are two options, either the box or the stick. They are both ultimately the same thing, except that the stick is smaller and allows for extreme mobility. They do vary in price however, with the box costing the same as Apple TV ($99) and the stick costing just $39.
So what is the difference between the stick and the original device? Well, you do get what you pay for. The stick is said to be more plastic based rather than the beautiful matte finish the Amazon Fire TV has on both the actual device and the remote. The stick also does not offer voice search, so if you can part with that, then the stick is probably your best option.
Not only is Amazon Fire TV the fastest streaming device, but it also has as mentioned before, an effective voice-search capability as well. They have a lovely, easy-to-navigate interface and the service runs on Android. There are several categories, including apps, prime video, music, and photos. The apps section is impressive, and you can add almost anything you want. Some examples include Netflix, Spotify, YouTube and Vimeo.
Amazon additionally has a vast selection of movies and TV shows, and not to mention their expansive game selection! (Gaming remote sold separately)
Chromecast: Last but not least-The Chromecast ($35). This is ultimately comparable to the Amazon Fire Stick, as it is very mobile and is simply a stick. However, it doesn’t have a remote while the Fire TV Stick and $50 Roku Streaming stick do, all while staying just as compact as the Chromecast.
Note: Chromecast requires a micro-USB for charging.
Apps that it includes: Netflix, YouTube, HBO Go, Hulu Plus, Google Music, MLB TV, Vudu, and many more. The library of applications is expected to continue growing as well. Setup is extremely simple- you literally just plug it into your HDMI capable TV, download the app for your device, and you’re set!
Similar to the Apple TV’s AirPlay capability, Chromecast has also incorporated a streaming option. This allows you to stream content from your phones. Unfortunately this is just for Android devices, not iOS devices.
The Chromecast is ultimately a great device for the price, but you do get what you pay for. The performance and speed of the device are slow and streaming music or video from your PC is a bit of a mess.
All of these streaming devices have their pros and cons, so it’s a hard decision to make.
Which one have you or will you pick, and why?