2017 Amazon Fire TV Stick | Basic Edition. Should you buy it?

The Amazon Fire TV stick has been around for 3 years now, but Canadian (and users from 99 other countries) were just given the official release in a very interesting package: Fire TV Stick Basic Edition. The same device as the 2nd Gen Fire Stick, minus the voice remote and for $10 more. This a quick review of what it's all about and what my thoughts are.

Music by Evan Schaeffer:

[mshatiproductions]

Are you planning on getting the Amazon Fire TV stick Basic edition or do you prefer the other streaming devices?

[theuberlord]

End of 2019 and only the Basic Edition is available in NZ. Sad times.

[lucifer]

Australian version has search option but not on the main screen on top left.Download the app from the play store for the fire stick.Once you have the app installed on the top pull down the little mic symbol and hold it down.Next say any thing you want. On the screen you will see the keyboard.Just type in what you want.Remember the voice opinion does not work on the Australian version.I found this by accident I was over the moon.It worked for me so it will work for you.

[katemorgan]

We just bought Amazon Prime subscription because we heard Prime Video was included with Roku.. which we use... and then we found out it is "not" included as a channel anymore. We double checked with Amazon Prime chat help and it was confirmed! So we are now leaving Amazon Prime as its not worth the expense if we cannot watch it on TV.

[thebuffalodude]

So many reviews are based on American content. With that said in Canada, Roku does not offer the Amazon Prime Video app.

[TheTubeMeister]

You say gen 1 and gen 2 are identical but then the chipset is different and people say the 2nd gen is faster. So how is it identical?

[elifancier]

How do u do a app search with the firestick basic addition I'm trying to do a search from the menu and there is no search option beside where it says home categories settings im to search for the downloader app but no search option there

[wilmerdosramos]

Hi I bought the fire stick basic edition, It doesnt have the option to "search" I have to navegate through all the apps untill I find the one I am looking for. Do you know how can I "search"?

[cryptclown]

The basic edition does not have a search button, so how did you get the hulu and hbo apps on your stick?

[nwenjack]

Thorough and well done. I understand VPNs werent compatible with the gen 1 but were an option for gen 2 - what is the situation for the 'basic'?

[totem_pole]

I don't get it. If I'm outside the US will 2nd gen with alexa won't work. I don't care about the apps, but I want Netflix, YouTube and Prime video

[TJandDally]

On roku u can't get amazon prime tv in Canada 🍁

[dkingkyle]

Just buy the 2nd gen and use it the same way. Just remove the apps that need US providers. Makes no sense paying extra for something that does the exact same thing

[lhd]

Since many of the services or shows and programs are not available in Canada, is there perhaps an open-source alternative to Fire TV? Something that can still access PlexTV, Netflix Canada and Youtube would be a bonus--something at the same price point and size (and convenience of an iOS or Android App commander) as the Fire TV Basic Edition sure would be nice. Does anyone know?

[LethargicLyon]

Can you set up the Canadian basic one to search?

[marcelona]

Hey I just got my fire TV stick basic. And it doesn't include the search option. How do u search for specific apps on the Amazon store

[celina]

How come on my amazon basic fire stick, the top left options all I have is home, categories and settings? I don’t have the search apps or anything like that

[trinhk]

Any idea how we could get US content in Canada? This stick doesn't support VPN client does it?
What would you recommend, Amazon Fire TV stick or the Roku stick?

[Hpatrik]

Since the device is identical to 2nd Gen. can you still control it with alexa from echo, or possibly with 2nd Gen. remote if you have one? Thanks!

[antoinebonello]

I need this for Kodi, does sideloading of apps work also with this basic edition?