Ok...for the tech stups out there....includes me .....what exactly do all these things do??
The Amazon Fire TV, the Apple TV, and the Roku, are all set-top boxes that connect to the Internet via either Ethernet or WIFI to stream video content from a subscription from Netflix, Vudu, Apple's iTunes, Podcasts, AmazonPrime, Hulu, HBO Now, YouTube, Vimeo, various other streaming services, as well as rent on-demand movies and TV shows. Some of those services are now offering content that is not available from any other source, such as Amazon's Bosch based on John Connolly's novels featuring Heironymous Bosch, a LA Police Detective (Excellent). Some of the newer versions of these set-top boxes offer video gaming through downloadable apps available through an app store, access to the Web, buying services (Especially Amazon), and control of your appliances and house through your control panel. Some of the newer units have voice control and voice search for content.
The Apple TV allows mirroring of Apple devices including Mac computers, iPhones and iPads, as well as playing games available on those devices on a big screen TV with multiple players using multiple devices, through AirPlay. Games played on the device can be switched seamlessly to the big screen without losing place or interruption, and vice-verse. Similarly, movies resident on the storage or HDs of those devices can be played through Apple TV with sound and full 1080HD via AirPlay.
The Roku can do some of that from Android and iOS devices, but more limited through apps available on both platforms.
Same for the Amazon Fire. . .
The Amazon Fire TV, the Apple TV, and the Roku, are all set-top boxes that connect to the Internet via either Ethernet or WIFI to stream video content from a subscription from Netflix, Vudu, Apple's iTunes, Podcasts, AmazonPrime, Hulu, HBO Now, YouTube, Vimeo, various other streaming services, as well as rent on-demand movies and TV shows. Some of those services are now offering content that is not available from any other source, such as Amazon's Bosch based on John Connolly's novels featuring Heironymous Bosch, a LA Police Detective (Excellent). Some of the newer versions of these set-top boxes offer video gaming through downloadable apps available through an app store, access to the Web, buying services (Especially Amazon), and control of your appliances and house through your control panel. Some of the newer units have voice control and voice search for content.
The Apple TV allows mirroring of Apple devices including Mac computers, iPhones and iPads, as well as playing games available on those devices on a big screen TV with multiple players using multiple devices, through AirPlay. Games played on the device can be switched seamlessly to the big screen without losing place or interruption, and vice-verse. Similarly, movies resident on the storage or HDs of those devices can be played through Apple TV with sound and full 1080HD via AirPlay.
The Roku can do some of that from Android and iOS devices, but more limited through apps available on both platforms.
Same for the Amazon Fire. . .