New Amazon Gaming/Video-Streaming Device to Ship Soon?

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By Trey Thoelcke Published
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Speculation is that Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) is preparing to launch a game console/TV set-top type device that will resemble the so-called Chromecast dongle. That is, the device will be less like a set-top box and more like a stick with an USB or HDMI style connector. It will run on Google’s Android software and may support streaming full PC game titles, which could allow it to compete with consoles like Microsoft Corp.’s (NASDAQ: MSFT) Xbox and Sony Corp.’s (NYSE: SNE) PlayStation.

Roku also has a device of similar design, and the Amazon device also will compete with video-streaming devices from Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG). But the way the Amazon device offers streaming gaming could provide it with a huge competitive advantage over its rivals. In addition, it could offer another incentive for users to sign on to Amazon Prime, after the company last week raised the price of an annual membership to $99 per year. And the company is likely to use this device to promote its streaming Amazon Instant Video and Amazon MP3 offerings.

The device is still in the testing stages though, so it is not yet clear what features will be included in the final version. It may ship as early April. Reportedly it will be sold not only through the Amazon.com website, but retail outlets such as Best Buy Co. Inc. (NYSE: BBY) as well.

Photo of Trey Thoelcke
About the Author Trey Thoelcke →

Trey has been an editor and author at 24/7 Wall St. for more than a decade, where he has published thousands of articles analyzing corporate earnings, dividend stocks, short interest, insider buying, private equity, and market trends. His comprehensive coverage spans the full spectrum of financial markets, from blue-chip stalwarts to emerging growth companies.

Beyond 24/7 Wall St., Trey has created and edited financial content for Benzinga and AOL's BloggingStocks, contributing additional hundreds of articles to the investment community. He previously oversaw the 24/7 Climate Insights site, managing editorial operations and content strategy, and currently oversees and creates content for My Investing News.

Trey's editorial expertise extends across multiple publishing environments. He served as production editor at Dearborn Financial Publishing and development editor at Kaplan, where he helped shape financial education materials. Earlier in his career, he worked as a writer-producer at SVE. His freelance editing portfolio includes work for prestigious clients such as Sage Publications, Rand McNally, the Institute for Supply Management, the American Library Association, Eggplant Literary Productions, and Spiegel.

Outside of financial journalism, Trey writes fiction and has been an active member of the writing community for years, overseeing a long-running critique group and moderating workshop sessions at regional conventions. He lives with his family in an old house in the Midwest.

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