Amazon FireTV Stick announced

[ApK]

That may effect the streaming server's bandwidth requirement, it does not impact any single viewer's bandwidth requirement, does it?

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by ApK

That may effect the streaming server's bandwidth requirement, it does not impact any single viewer's bandwidth requirement, does it?

It shouldn't do even that.
What increases, and probably a lot, is the computing power needed to create the stream in real time as opposed to streaming pre-created files already on the system.
In fact, streaming live channels with multicast probably requires less server-side bandwidth than streaming on-demand files. But the bandwidth for the fast moving sports stream are likely to be more bandwidth demanding, as I noted above.

It really shouldn't be an issue if the app uses the best available streaming tech.

The big unknown is cableco throttling in retaliation or wireless operators blocking the service. This could annoy some cellphone network operators if it goes mainstream.

[ApK]

?? OK, what was the question, again?

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by ApK

?? OK, what was the question, again?

Question? There was a question?
When can we read ebooks on the Fire stick?

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

When can we read ebooks on the Fire stick?

When Amazon adds a 0.6" x 2.4" eInk display on it

[QuantumIguana]

I don't know if many people would want to use their TV to read books, but having Audible support for audio books would be very nice.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by QuantumIguana

I don't know if many people would want to use their TV to read books, but having Audible support for audio books would be very nice.

I don't make a habit of it, but web surfing on a big screen TV is actually very easy on the eyes.

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by QuantumIguana

I don't know if many people would want to use their TV to read books, but having Audible support for audio books would be very nice.

Until recently, I thought there is no way that that an e-book could come close to replicating the experience of browsing a paper coffee table book. Now, based on what I've seen of some illustrations in regular books on a Nook HD+, I'm guessing that a properly done book displayed on a 60" 4K TV would blow the paper coffee table book version away.

[QuantumIguana]

I suppose if enough people wanted to read books on their TVs, Amazon could add it. Of course, not everyone has a 60" 4K TV, most people have smaller sets that are 1080p. But it probably wouldn't be difficult for Amazon to create an app. Personally, I wouldn't like it for the same reasons I don't care to read books from a computer monitor. I like to be able to hold the book and position it where I want it, as opposed to positioning myself around the monitor. But my preferences really don't matter, if enough people want books on the TV, there's no reason they shouldn't be able to have it. The only downside I could see is that some people might find it a disappointing experience, so if they do add this, Amazon might be wise not to oversell it.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by ApK

?? OK, what was the question, again?

I think it was answered in a yes and no fashion.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by QuantumIguana

I don't know if many people would want to use their TV to read books, but having Audible support for audio books would be very nice.

Yes I see this added later down the line. Audible already has streaming in place.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by GA Russell

I've read that the industry's big secret is that while the popularity of sports and ESPN are well known, there are a huge number of Americans who don't care about sports, and would drop the sports channels and their high fees if they were given the opportunity!

Raising hand here. As long as I could get my local baseball broadcasts, I'd happily ditch everything else.

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by QuantumIguana

I suppose if enough people wanted to read books on their TVs, Amazon could add it. Of course, not everyone has a 60" 4K TV, most people have smaller sets that are 1080p. But it probably wouldn't be difficult for Amazon to create an app. Personally, I wouldn't like it for the same reasons I don't care to read books from a computer monitor. I like to be able to hold the book and position it where I want it, as opposed to positioning myself around the monitor. But my preferences really don't matter, if enough people want books on the TV, there's no reason they shouldn't be able to have it. The only downside I could see is that some people might find it a disappointing experience, so if they do add this, Amazon might be wise not to oversell it.

Almost no one has a 60" 4K TV yet. I just wanted to give an example of an e-book completely blowing a coffee table p-book away. But prices are coming down, and 40" up close would be just as good.

An e-book comparable to a coffee table p-book would be good enough. At what screen size for 1080p that would happen, I can't say. For me, it would probably need to be portrait orientation, which few TV stands cater to.

It's off topic for fire stick, but I think a 10" to 13" 1600x2560 tablet could do justice to any coffee table book.

[leebase]

We all want ala cart choices. Just give me the channels I want. And someday that will likely become the reality. I bet, though, when that comes to pass...we'll end up paying more than we do now.

It won't work like "take my current cable price and just remove the price of the sports channels". It will be $5 to the ABC Family, $5 for the Oprah Channel, $5 for ABC, $5 for NBC, $5 for CBS and so on.

Right now everybody is subsidizing the options for everyone else. The non-sports watchers are subsidizing the sports channels. The households without kids are subsiding the price of the kids programming. The action loving people are subsidizing the women's oriented channels.

CBS just released their own app...$6 a month just for CBS content. I already pay $8 month for netflix and $100 year for Amazon prime which gives me a lot of content. I do like some shows on CBS but not enough to add another $6month charge.

Probably in the future I'll switch month to month. Keep netflix while I binge watch Dexter. Drop it and add CBS Now for binge watching some other show. Etc.

[Blossom]

I bought a Digital Antenna for $10 at Amazon and get my locals for free. We mainly use Streaming Netflix or Amazon Prime. We cancelled Hulu Plus as we got the locals so no need for it.