Amazon's latest streaming stick eliminates wall adapters entirely by drawing power directly from TV USB ports. The new Fire TV Stick HD launched today as the company's slimmest device ever, measuring 30 percent narrower than the previous generation.
Priced at $35 with pre-orders starting immediately, the stick ships with a USB-C cable that plugs into television USB ports instead of requiring a separate wall adapter. Amazon calls this Direct Power feature, which alerts users on-screen if their TV doesn't supply sufficient electricity and offers troubleshooting options.
The design makes the device particularly suitable for travel and hotel rooms where outlet access is limited.
"It's a pretty capable thing to upgrade any TV in your house," said Aidan Marcuss, director of product management for Fire TV at Amazon. "If you've got the kitchen TV that's perfectly placed for where it is, here's a way to upgrade it."
Beyond physical dimensions, Amazon claims performance improvements averaging 30 percent faster than the previous HD model. The stick includes Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity alongside compatibility with Alexa Plus, Amazon's AI-enhanced voice assistant previously reserved for higher-end 4K streaming devices.
Accessibility features expand with an upcoming Adaptive Display setting that will enlarge text and menus while proportionally scaling artwork. The feature arrives in coming weeks through a software update.
Shipping begins April 29 to customers in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. The launch coincides with a broader Fire TV platform refresh introducing free ad-supported streaming channels across categories including news, comedy and cooking.
Amazon also announced availability for its Ember Artline televisions revealed at CES earlier this year. The 55-inch and 65-inch models start at $900 with shipping scheduled for April 22 in North America.
