Xbox is bringing cloud gaming straight to Amazon Fire TVs, making it possible to play console-style games without owning an Xbox at all. Starting this week, the Xbox app is now available on select Fire TV smart TVs and streaming devices, letting players stream hundreds of games over the cloud using just a compatible controller and an internet connection.
The Xbox app is rolling out to newer Fire TV devices, including Fire TV 4-Series and Fire TV Omni QLED smart TVs, along with the Fire TV Stick 4K Max. Amazon says support for more Fire TV models is planned for the future.
This update builds on Amazon‘s earlier move from July last year, when Xbox Game Pass support first arrived on Fire TV streaming devices like the Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Cube.
Once the app is downloaded from the Amazon Appstore, all you need to do is sign in with a Microsoft account that has an active Game Pass subscription to start playing.
Every Game Pass tier includes access to cloud streaming, but the size of the game library depends on the plan. The Essential plan, priced at $10/month, offers access to more than 50 games. Premium costs $15 and expands the library to over 200 titles. The Ultimate tier, now $30/month after a price hike in October, unlocks more than 500 games and includes access to EA Play and Ubisoft+.
To play, you will also need a compatible controller. Game Pass supports a range of options, including Xbox controllers and Sony’s DualSense and DualShock 4. Fire TV’s new Alexa+ integration adds a small convenience too, letting you say, “Alexa, open the Xbox app,” and jump right in.
The timing is notable. Nvidia is set to enforce a 100-hour monthly playtime limit on GeForce Now starting in 2026, making Xbox Cloud Gaming a flexible alternative for players who do not want strict caps on how long they can play. It also fits into Microsoft’s broader shift toward rethinking what Xbox is beyond consoles, as cloud gaming and subscriptions take priority.
While cloud gaming is not a full replacement for a dedicated console or gaming PC, it offers a convenient middle ground. With decent internet, a large game library, and fewer hardware demands, Fire TV owners can now play big games without extra hardware.
Instagram is making its way to yet another screen, and this time, Apple TV is getting a taste of the Reels rabbit hole. The company has launched a dedicated Instagram app for Apple TV, bringing Reels, longer videos, and live shows to the big screen. So, if watching one quick clip on a phone somehow turns into an hour of scrolling, there's now a much larger screen for that.
Instagram brings Reels and more to Apple TV
Audio-Technica, a brand well known for making some of the best studio and professional headphones on the market, has just come out with the ATH-AWX7000, which the company itself claims to be its "finest headphones ever." The new flagship closed-back headphone has debuted at an eye-watering price of $3,799. It combines hand-finished Japanese woodwork with a newly developed 58mm driver.
The earcups are made from Kiso cypress, a prized wood historically used for Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Each housing is finished by hand with traditional Echizen lacquer, which brings out the grain and is expected to darken over time. The frame and sliders are finished in a deep navy kachi-iro shade traditionally associated with samurai.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.