Xbox Cloud Gaming is Microsoft’s cloud-streaming service, allowing players to stream from a large library of Game Pass titles or a select number of games they own digitally. It lets users access their games across phones, PCs, tablets, streaming sticks, and more, and the service is available to all tiers of Game Pass, including Ultimate, Premium, and Essential.

The service currently supports 29 markets after recently arriving in India. Now it expands to more devices in Brazil, a key market for gaming.

Xbox Cloud Gaming offers a large library of games without needing to download or install them to your device. It lets players access games across multiple devices, giving flexibility on how and where they play, as long as the internet connection is strong enough.

What does Xbox Cloud Gaming offer?

With support for Bluetooth game controllers, including Xbox controllers and PlayStation’s DualSense, players can make the most of select LG Smart TVs and use Xbox Cloud Gaming directly on the television.

To use the Xbox app on LG Smart TVs, you will need webOS 24 or above, which includes some 2022 OLED models and 2023 models that received a firmware update.

Players in Brazil can also use the Xbox app on an Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K or another compatible Fire TV device. Both LG TVs and Fire TV devices only require a Bluetooth controller to start playing, and you can find the full list of compatible devices here.

A future without consoles?

This rollout gives players in Brazil more freedom to jump into games without needing extra hardware, and it shows how Xbox is continuing to push cloud access on everyday devices.

Being able to play through a TV or streaming stick keeps things simple, and it highlights how Xbox is focusing on convenience rather than relying only on traditional consoles.

Microsoft's Xbox Cloud Gaming service has come a long way since it launched in 2020. Over the years, it has allowed people to play hundreds upon hundreds of the best Xbox games on a multitude of devices, including consoles and mobiles, via the cloud. On top of that, Microsoft partnered with Amazon to bring Xbox Cloud Gaming to its Amazon Fire TV Stick product line.

One such product is the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, a powerful smart device capable of streaming entertainment apps at 4K resolutions with strong Wi-Fi 6E online connections. This device normally has an MSRP of $59.99 but with Black Friday on the horizon, Best Buy has lowered this price tag to $32.99, not wanting to wait until the event starts proper to host its lucrative discount deals.

🎃The best early Black Friday deals🦃

• 🎮ASUS ROG Ally (Ryzen Z1) | $349.99 at Best Buy (Save $150!)
• 💽Seagate Xbox Series X|S Card (2TB) | $199.99 at Best Buy (Save $160!)
• 📱iPad 9th Generation (64GB) | $199.99 at Best Buy (Save $130!)
• 🎮Xbox Series X (1TB) | $449.99 at Best Buy (Save $50!)
• 🖥️ABS Cyclone Desktop (RTX 4060) | $1,099.99 at Newegg (Save $400!)
• 📺HP Curved Ultrawide (34-inches) | $349.99 at Best Buy (Save $130!)
• 💽WD_Black Xbox Series X|S Card (1TB) | $99.99 at Best Buy (Save $50!)
• ⌨️Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini Wireless | $101.99 at Best Buy (Save $98!)
• 🖱️Razer Basilisk V3 Wired | $39.99 at Best Buy (Save $30!)
• 💽WD_BLACK Handheld SSD (2TB) | $179.99 at Best Buy (Save $60!)
• 🎧Astro A50 Wireless (Xbox & PC) | $149.99 at Best Buy (Save $100!)

Why should you buy the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max and why is it good for Xbox Cloud Gaming?

Amazon Fire TV Sticks are HDMI smart dongles that can enable compatible PC or TV monitors with the ability to download entertainment apps like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Xbox Cloud Gaming etc., and stream TV Shows, movies, and video games.

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the most powerful version of this product line as it has the power to stream media in 4K resolutions, store up to 16GB worth of data, and maintain stable Wi-Fi 6E internet connections (provided you position your router in line of sight of the TV Stick). Strong Wi-Fi is important for Xbox Cloud Gaming to get the best experience.

Previously, only Samsung TVs had exclusive rights to run Xbox Cloud Gaming. However, in June 2024, Microsoft announced that it would be partnering with Amazon to deliver Xbox Cloud Gaming to Amazon Fire TV Sticks. This has allowed the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max a great option for people who don't own an Xbox Series X|S and want to try out some of the best Xbox games the system has to offer before deciding to buy an Xbox console.

Additionally, Xbox players will be able to download the Xbox Cloud Gaming app into the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max's storage and take with it them, to play their favorite Xbox Game Pass titles abroad while visiting friends or traveling simply by plugging it into a compatible monitor.

You will still need one of the best Xbox controllers to play Xbox games via the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, a grand majority of them can be played with touch controls, thus circumventing the need for a controller or an Xbox Cloud Gaming Mobile controller.

The Amazon TV Fire Stick 4K Max is currently enjoying a massive 45% discount as an early Black Friday gift courtesy of Best Buy, reducing its MSRP of $52.99 down to $32.99. Amazon is also hosting a similar Black Friday deal for this product for the same reduced price of $32.99.

There's never been a better time to experience the wonders of Xbox Cloud Gaming than right now. Not only has Microsoft's answer to NVIDIA GeForce NOW accumulated a ton of games to its backlog, but Microsoft has recently announced the long-requested "Stream Your Own Game" feature for Xbox Cloud Gaming.

This feature allows people to purchase and stream a selection of Xbox games via Xbox.com/play and web apps on Meta Quest VR headsets, Amazon Fire TV Sticks, and Samsung TVs, even if they aren't subscribed to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. There are currently 50 games available for purchase via "Stream Your Own Game" with more that will be added in the future.

The first wave of "Stream Your Own Game" titles includes modern hits like Baldur's Gate 3, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster Collection, Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake, and many more.

So if you're an Xbox gamer looking to play your favorite Xbox titles at 4K resolutions while traveling and watch your favorite TV shows and movies on Netflix, Disney+, or Hulu as a nice bonus, the Amazon TV Fire Stick 4K Max is for you.

It is also a solid option for people who have never played Xbox games before and want to try them out via Xbox Cloud Gaming before committing to buying an Xbox console, especially thanks to the new "Stream your Own Games" features so they can play games without needing to subscribe to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

I'm a big fan of Xbox Cloud Gaming, even if it rarely gets any time in the spotlight from Microsoft. If you have a fast enough downstream speed through your Internet service provider, somewhere around 20Mb/s or above, you can stream some of the latest Xbox releases without owning a console.

Now, if you don't own so much as a compatible controller, you can pick up Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K bundle for $74.99 and get an official joypad alongside a month's subscription to Game Pass Ultimate (required for Cloud Gaming).

I know it's worth it because I bought one myself, and I've been enjoying laid-back guilty pleasures like Train Sim World and Star Trucker from the comfort of my bed. October Prime Day is over, but the deal is still live, so don't miss out!

The total value of the Xbox Core Wireless Controller ($69.99 MSRP), Fire TV Stick 4K Max ($59.99 MSRP), and one month of Xbox Game Pass ($20/month) equals out to $139.98. As such, getting all three of these things for just $74.99 is an awesome bargain — that's basically $64.99 in savings, which is nearly half off.

Even when factored in the very best Prime Day discounts for Xbox Core Wireless Controllers ($43.93 best deal price for the black version) and the Fire TV Stick 4K Max ($34.99 best deal price), this bundle deal still saves you $23.93 in total. That's pretty sweet.

Of course, one of the best things about this deal is that you get to choose between seven different controller colors, some of which weren't currently selling at very good discounts for Prime Day. So depending on the color you choose, you could get more than $23.93 in savings even with the best Prime Day deals applied for that Xbox controller.

Color-wise, you get to choose from the beautiful see-through Sky Cipher Special Edition, Velocity Green, Pulse Red, Deep Pink, Electric Volt, Robot White, or Shock Blue Xbox controllers.

• Shop all October Amazon Prime Day deals

🎃The best early Black Friday deals🦃

• 💾Seagate Xbox Expansion Card (1TB) | $129.99 at Best Buy (Save $70!)
• 📺Amazon Fire TV Stick | $24.99 at Amazon (Save $25!)
• 🎮ASUS ROG Ally (Z1 Extreme) | $499.99 at Best Buy (Save $150!)
• 💻Lenovo IdeaPad 1 (Ryzen 5) | $329.99 at Best Buy (Save $250!)
• 💽AMD Ryzen 7 5800X CPU (8-core) | $164 at Amazon (Save $285!)
• 📺LG C4 OLED 4K TV (42-inches) | $899.99 at Best Buy (Save $500!)
• 💻Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge (X Elite) | $799.99 at Best Buy (Save $550!)
• 💻Dell XPS 13 (X Elite) | $999.99 at Best Buy (Save $500!)
• 🎧Sony ANC Wireless Headphones | $228 at Walmart (Save $122!)
• 💻HP Envy 2-in-1 14 (Ryzen 7) | $649.99 at Best Buy (Save $400!)

Is Xbox Cloud Gaming actually good?

To keep your expectations grounded, I can tell you that no matter how fast my connection is or what upgrades Microsoft makes to its servers, Xbox Cloud Gaming will never be completely latency-free — but it's incredibly close. Things improved by an incredible amount around the time dedicated handhelds launched, like Logitech's G Cloud, and incremental upgrades to streaming technology have reduced input delay enough that most games are playable.

However, I won't pretend that playing Xbox games over my Fire TV Stick 4K is synonymous with booting up my Xbox Series S or Series X consoles. Trying to have a serious fight in Mortal Kombat 11 or a firefight in Fortnite feels too frustrating when one or two critical inputs are detected slightly too late. Still, surprisingly, races in Forza Horizon 5 feel fine. It's a game-by-game difference, but first-person shooters are pretty much out of the question for now, even on my speedy Wi-Fi 6 mesh setup.

If you want to dabble in slower-paced games like Core Keeper or Legend of Mana, then Xbox Cloud Gaming is beyond perfect. Just open the Xbox app on Amazon's Fire TV Stick OS, sign into your Microsoft account, activate your Game Pass Ultimate subscription, and start playing. Of course, there is a whole catalog of "normal" uses for a Fire TV Stick, like watching movies and shows, so you could always kick back with some episodes of the Emmy Award-winning Fallout TV show.

More Prime Day deals and anti-Prime Day deals

We at Windows Central are scouring the internet for the best Prime Day deals and anti-Prime Day deals, but there are plenty more discounts going on now. Here's where to find more savings:

• Xbox controller deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg
• Xbox SSD storage deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg
• Gaming headset deals: Walmart | Dell | Target | Best Buy | Amazon
• MicroSD storage deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg
• Gaming handheld deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg
• Laptop deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg
• Copilot+ AI laptop deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg
• Monitor deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg
• Mini PC deals: Walmart | Target | Best Buy | Amazon | Newegg
• Gaming keyboard deals: Walmart | Best Buy | Amazon | Dell | Newegg
• Gaming mice deals: Walmart | Best Buy | Amazon | Dell | Newegg

If you've never owned an Xbox Series X|S, the perfect option for trying out some games has arrived. 

Thanks to Xbox Cloud Gaming being available through select Amazon Fire TV Stick models, a newly-discounted bundle lets new subscribers pick up an Xbox controller, an Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, and a month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate all for just $78.90 at Amazon! This is over $40 off compared to the usual bundle price, which is itself a discount compared to buying everything separately. This deal won't last long, so if you're interested, grab one quickly.

Important: If you buy this deal, you'll get the Xbox controller and Amazon Fire TV Stick shipped to you. The Xbox Game Pass Ultimate code will be sent to your email, and is ONLY VALID FOR NEW SUBSCRIBERS.

TODAY'S TOP AMAZON PRIME DAY DEALS

• Xbox Series X console | was $500 now $450 with $50 gift card at Best Buy
• Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (3-months) | was $49.99 now $33.29 at CDKeys
• Starfield for Xbox Series X|S | was $70 now $44 at Amazon
• 2TB Seagate Expansion Card SSD for Xbox | was $360 now $230 at Best Buy
• Logitech MX Master 3S wireless mouse | was $100 now $86 at Best Buy
• EVGA X20 wireless gaming mouse | was $70 now $20 at Newegg

Why I recommend grabbing this deal

If you've never subscribed to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate before, this is the perfect way to check out the Xbox platform and games without spending a ton of cash. You'll be getting a controller, an Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, and a month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate all for under $79. That's basically the price of one brand new big game after taxes, and it's a bundle that is usually listed at $120!

While Xbox Cloud Gaming is available across a number of devices, such as Android phones and Windows PC, having it set up through a Fire Stick thanks to Amazon and Microsoft's partnership means an easy way to keep all your entertainment in one place. You'll be able to check out hundreds of games with this bundle, including some heavy-hitter Xbox console exclusives. That means games like Halo Infinite, Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, Starfield, and more.

It's worth mentioning that Microsoft recently adjusted how some Xbox Game Pass tiers work, but nothing has changed at the highest-end. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate still gets you Xbox Cloud Gaming, and it still brings you day one first-party games, including upcoming titles like Avowed and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle from across Xbox Game Studios and Bethesda Softworks.

Even if you try this out and then decide you'd rather have a console, you're still being set up for success. All your game progress will remain thanks to Cloud saves, and you'll have an extra controller if you then decide to purchase an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S console. 

What if I'm already an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriber?

Even if you're already an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriber, you'll still save a bit of money with this deal bundle. The Amazon Fire TV 4K Max is usually $60 by itself, and while the best deals on Xbox controllers fluctuate month to month based on what's in stock, you're looking at at least anywhere from another $50 to $60 for a white controller. 

As such, this is still a great deal if you're interested in checking out what a Fire TV can offer you and if you want an additional controller. It's just not as big of a deal as it is for someone that is completely new to the Xbox ecosystem.

What is Amazon Prime Day?

Amazon Prime Day brings plentiful discounts across items and products in essentially every category that the gargantuan retailer can stock. It's a good time to find discounted copies of games, deals on tech, and slashed prices on accessories. While it used to just be Amazon, other retailers are now getting in on things, providing their own competing sales.

If you are planning to do a lot of shopping and you want to make sure you're getting the best prices across retailers, it's well worth looking at getting a My Best Buy membership, Walmart Plus membership, or a Target Circle membership.

One of Amazon's most famous in-house products is the Amazon Fire TV Stick, a line of HDMI dongles that has the power to turn any compatible PC monitor or TV display into a smart device, capable of streaming TV shows or movies in 4K. Not only that, they have recently gained the power to stream Xbox games via the cloud, since Microsoft has announced that the Xbox Cloud Gaming beta is now available to download on said Amazon Fire TV 4K Sticks.

To celebrate the occasion, Amazon is hosting special discount deals for its Fire TV Sticks. The standard Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K model has had its MSRP of $49.99 slashed to $24.99 while the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max has had its MSRP of $59.99 reduced to $34.99.

MORE GREAT GAMING DEALS

• Amazon Games Promotion | Buy two, get one free
• JSAUX 90 Degree USB-C Adapter: $8.99 at Amazon
• JSAUX Docking Station: $35.99 at Amazon
• Dream Vapor Special Edition Xbox controller:  $47.99 at Target
• Anker Power Bank 25600mAh: $119.99 at Amazon
• Nintendo Switch Lite Aloha Edition: $159 at Walmart

Why should you buy Amazon Fire TV sticks?

Amazon is known as the biggest online retailer in the world and the creator of some of the biggest entertainment streaming apps on the planet capable of rivalling Netflix and Spotify, Prime Video, and Prime Music. In recent years, Amazon has even been dabbling into the world of video games, publishing titles like Lost Ark and even partnering with Microsoft to allow players to stream Xbox Cloud Gaming titles on Amazon Fire TV Sticks.

The Amazon Fire Stick 4K models support Xbox Cloud Gaming, owing to more potent radio signals than previous models. Naturally, cloud gaming and cloud streaming can be pretty intensive on your internet connection, and you'll get the best experience if you're wired in, or using something like Wi-Fi 6 or 6E or above. Positioning your router within line of sight of your Amazon Fire Stick will also help, too. 

The standard Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K model is down to $24.99, and supports Wi-Fi 6. The new model is also almost half off, Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K MAX is typically $59.99, but now reduced to $34.99. The main difference with the MAX model and its cheaper brethren is boosted internal storage, up to 16 GB, and the inclusion of Wi-Fi 6E. Wi-Fi 6E is supposed to offer a more stable wireless internet experience than Wi-Fi 6, but the difference in real world use is relatively minimal I've found. Plus, you're unlikely to need onboard storage if you're simply streaming, although more storage would give you the ability to download some shows to watch offline if you planned on taking the Fire Stick to a hotel or something. 

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K is a great option for those who want to add Xbox Cloud Gaming to a non-Samsung TV, since right now, Samsung has some form of exclusivity deal with the service. Connect a Bluetooth Xbox controller to the Fire Stick, log in to your Microsoft account, and you'll have access to hundreds of games via Xbox Game Pass. 

What you need to know

• Microsoft recently announced a partnership with Amazon to provide Xbox Cloud Gaming through certain Fire TV Stick devices.
• Starting today, players can download the Xbox Cloud Gaming app through a Fire TV Stick 4K Max or Fire TV Stick 4K. 
• Xbox Cloud Gaming requires an active Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership and a Bluetooth-enabled gaming controller.

There's a new way to play Xbox games. 

Players can now download the Xbox Cloud Gaming beta app through specific Amazon Fire TV Stick models, Microsoft shared on Monday through an ad spoofing horror films. 

The company previously announced a partnership with Amazon that would allow players to use certain Fire TV Sticks to access Xbox Cloud Gaming, a move that came as something of a surprise given Microsoft and Amazon's historic hostility as Cloud rivals. Right now, Xbox Cloud Gaming is available through the Fire TV Stick 4K Max and Fire TV Stick 4K models.

What do I need to play Xbox Cloud Gaming on my Amazon Fire TV Stick?

In addition to one of the aforementioned Fire TV Stick models, anyone who wants to jump into Xbox Cloud Gaming will need a Bluetooth-enabled gaming controller, such as an Xbox Series X|S controller or PlayStation 5 DualSense controller. Players will also need to be subscribed to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate in order to access the game streaming service. Finally, players will naturally need a modern monitor or TV to plug in the Fire TV Stick and actually play games. 

Xbox Cloud Gaming includes a number of titles, including Xbox first-party games like Fallout 4, Sea of Thieves, Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2, and Starfield from across Xbox Game Studios and Bethesda Softworks.

Analysis: A neat expansion of Xbox services

This is cool to see, and it's also good that it's rolling out so quickly after the initial announcement. Xbox Cloud Gaming updates stalled out for a couple of years, with Microsoft slowing progress down to essentially nothing while it was embroiled in its efforts to acquire Activision Blizzard. 

With that gargantuan task firmly in the rear-view mirror, updates have started up again, such as seeing some games available through Xbox Cloud Gaming get mouse and keyboard support.

I don't see this move to bring Xbox Cloud Gaming to Fire TV Sticks suddenly resulting in millions upon millions of new players, but given the work that is once again going into Xbox Cloud Gaming as a whole, it makes a great deal of sense as an expansion point for the service. 

It's also interesting to see Microsoft snuggling up closer with Amazon like this. I do have to wonder if the success of the Prime Video Fallout series (which is coming back for a second season) played a role in discussions.

What you need to know

• Xbox Cloud Gaming is a $15 per month service bundled with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate that lets you stream hundreds of games to mobile, PC, and the web. 
• As of right now, to get Xbox Cloud Gaming on a TV, you need to use an attached Xbox console (which can run games natively anyway), or own an oft-pricey Samsung TV. 
• Today, Microsoft and Amazon announced a partnership to bring the Xbox Cloud Gaming app to Amazon Fire TV devices, vastly expanding the accessibility of the platform. 

Xbox Cloud Gaming is a great option for those who don't fancy shelling out for a pricey video game console or gaming PC, offering hundreds of games for a $15 per month fee bundled with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Playable on Android devices, iOS via the web at xbox.com/play, Xbox consoles, and Samsung TVs, Xbox Cloud Gaming streams Xbox games over the internet, bypassing the need for powerful local hardware. 

Xbox games are still designed for television screens, however, and playing many cloud games on a phone can be a fiddly affair, even with the best Xbox cloud gaming mobile controllers. Even if you don't have an Xbox console, Xbox Cloud Games play best on a TV, but up until now, only Samsung TVs had the privilege. Samsung TVs with the necessary gaming hub feature can be quite pricey too, but what if there was a cheaper way?

Now, you can use a $40 Amazon Fire TV stick and connect it straight up to any monitor, and instantly gain access to Xbox Cloud Gaming. That's right, the big tech cloud rivals are unexpectedly partnering up for Xbox Cloud Gaming, offering a native solution for the first time. 

"The expansion of Xbox gaming to Fire TV devices offers players another option for enjoying their favorite games using devices they already own," said Ashley McKissick, who leads Xbox cloud gaming as Xbox CVP for Xbox experiences. "For those who don’t own an Xbox console, this provides an affordable and convenient way to get started. With Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, there's something for every type of player. We look forward to having more people join the Xbox gaming community."

"We’re committed to making it easy for customers to access their favorite entertainment experiences with Fire TV," said Daniel Rausch, vice president of Fire TV and Alexa. "We’re excited to work with Microsoft to bring the Xbox app to select Fire TV devices so customers can enjoy a vast library of high-quality games, allowing them to play amazing titles without the need for a console."

Initially, Xbox Cloud Gaming will be available on the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K and Amazon Fire Stick 4K Max models, before potentially expanding to the cheaper HD Amazon Fire Stick Lite model later on. The slightly more expensive Max model supports Wi-Fi 6E, which should give it an edge in connectivity over the 4K Wi-Fi 6 model, should your home network solution support Wi-Fi 6 and 6E, that is. 

It seems that Xbox Cloud Gaming on Amazon Fire TV will be available in every region where Xbox Cloud Gaming is currently available, too. Naturally, you will also need a Bluetooth Xbox Series X|S controller to connect up and play via your Fire TV, too. 

An unlikely partnership in the cloud

Amazon and Microsoft are often bitter cloud rivals when it comes to business service applications, going as far to sue each other to gain favor for lucrative governmental contracts. Amazon Gaming and Xbox seem a little more chill, though. Microsoft partners extensively with Amazon's Twitch and Prime Gaming platforms, for example, and Amazon is bringing its New World MMO to Xbox later this year. At the end of the day, it's all just business, and this partnership stands to be mutually beneficial for both. 

Amazon has its own nascent cloud gaming platform dubbed Amazon Luna, and you'd think they'd want to proliferate their own service on their own hardware. But cloud gaming is hard, and Microsoft already owns all the pieces of that puzzle since picking up Activision-Blizzard, Bethesda, and various other major global franchises. Microsoft has already started supporting Amazon Luna with its content too anyway, adding Fallout titles to the platform. Of course, Amazon has been instrumental in causing the Fallout franchise to utterly explode in popularity thanks to the Amazon Fallout TV show. So, I'd say that relationships between the two firms are probably quite peachy right now. 

What is more interesting is the fact Microsoft is still intent on growing Xbox Cloud Gaming. For a time, it felt as though Microsoft might've been backing away from it. Server capacity has still been an issue in some regions, although Microsoft has gradually worked to repair the delta. NVIDIA GeForce Now has also given Microsoft incredibly strong competition in this space, given that its tech is just so good that it regularly beats Xbox Cloud Gaming for latency and connection stability. Although recently, I've found NVIDIA GeForce Now has had some queue issues of its own.

It was already sort of possible to side-load Xbox Game Pass onto a Fire TV, but being able to get it straight from Amazon's app store will deliver it to a whole new audience. It's also fortuitous timing, since my colleague Zac Bowden discovered a patent for Microsoft's own cancelled Fire TV-like Xbox Keystone just yesterday. 

Though, with Microsoft adding an entire new platform into the mix with Amazon Fire TV, I do wonder how server capacities might be impacted. I also wonder what investments Microsoft is making to bring the latency of their experiences up to par with their PC-first brethren. Xbox Cloud Gaming servers are built using Xbox Series X hardware, after all, which aren't necessarily spec'd with video encoding in mind.

In any case, it's great to see Microsoft isn't backing down here. I'm eager for more information on exactly when we'll be able to bring our own games to Xbox Cloud Gaming, though.

Amazon Big Deal Days are coming, and we're already getting a sneak peek on what deals will be available from October 10 to October 11. The best deals, as ever, are invite-only and at a limited amount, but this one is worth getting your lottery ticket for. Register now for an invite to purchase this incredible 50-inch 4K Alexa-powered Fire TV — for only $149.99.

Yep, it's a whopping 60% off and packed with features that will make it a great companion for your Xbox Series X or other console of choice. Less than $150 for 50 whole inches of real estate to play Starfield or Forza Motorsport. It's a tempting offer, and frankly, you'd be crazy not to try and get on this deal.

• Amazon has already slashed prices on official Xbox controllers

The Amazon Fire TV 50-inch Omni Series 4K UHD Smart TV is available at  $226 off as part of an invite-only deal to select customers, so not everyone will secure this price, but if you want to be one of the few, you'll need to get signed up to Prime now. 

This TV is absolutely perfect for gaming, and 2023 has been a bumper year for big launches. If you already have an Xbox and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, this will pair perfectly and give you a beautiful display for your games. The Fire TV supports vivid 4K Ultra HD, HDR 10, and HLG for a bright and vibrant picture.

You don't even need to use the remote; for ultimate laziness, this TV has a built-in microphone to find, launch, and control your apps. Relive the glory days of the Xbox Kinect through Alexa. Switch inputs and ask Alexa to show you the weather, sports scores, news headlines, and anything else you need. You can access many apps and streaming services with the Fire TV OS, including Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, and more. You can also watch live TV and sports with subscriptions to Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and Youtube.

The one and only downside to this TV is it doesn't have Dolby Vision, that's reserved for the larger models. But at $149.99, it's still a steal.

The 50-inch Fire TV with Alexa has a powerful quad-core processor that ensures fast performance and smooth streaming. In game mode, reviews have measured it to have an input lag of just 2.6 milliseconds. 

You can also hook up your Xbox console to one of the four HDMI inputs, one of which supports eARC for connecting soundbars or other audio gear. Don't forget too that Amazon Luna lets you stream games directly through your television from the cloud. If you’re a gamer who wants to score some amazing deals on Prime Day, you’ll need to have an Amazon Prime account before you can request an invite or buy anything else Prime Day related.

Don’t worry. You can sign up for a free 30-day trial and cancel anytime. Then, you can request an invite for this insane offer by clicking the link above and hitting the “Request Invite” button below the price while logged into your Amazon account. 

If you get lucky, you can buy one of these awesome TVs for only $149.99 on Prime Big Deal Days. We saw a very similar deal last Prime Day at $99 but for a 43-inch model, so you are getting incredible value with this deal for a 50-inch 4K unit. Good luck out there bargain hunters, and don't forget to check out our round up of all the early deals available right now. 

The Annual Amazon Prime Day deal fest is nearly here, and the deals are already coming thick and fast in the run-up to the big day. The spiciest discounts, however, are reserved for invite-only deals, and this hot TV deal is no exception. I'm actually angry I'm a UK customer because this price of $99 for a 43" 4K Alexa-powered TV is frankly insane. This TV is affordable and packed with features that make it ideal for gaming.

• THESE are the 7 best deals on gaming TVs for Amazon Prime Day

The Amazon Fire TV 43" Omni Series 4K UHD Smart TV is available at a whopping $300 off as part of an invite-only deal to select customers, so not everyone will secure this price, but if you want to be one of the few, you'll need to get signed up to Prime now. 

So why is this perfect for gaming? I'll tell you. First, this TV has a stunning 4K Ultra HD display with brilliant picture quality and vivid colors. It also supports Advanced HDR and HDR10+ Adaptive, which means you can enjoy more realistic and immersive scenes. Whether you’re blasting enemies in a fast-paced shooter like Call of Duty or exploring the magical world of Ori and the Will of the Wisps, this TV will make you feel like you’re in the game. It's worth noting that the listing states this TV has Dolby Vision. However, that only applies to the larger models. 

Secondly, this TV has a powerful quad-core processor that ensures fast performance and smooth streaming. You can access many apps and streaming services with Fire TV OS, including Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, and more. You can also watch live TV and sports with subscriptions to Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, YouTube TV, and others. 

Thirdly, after digging, we found out that this TV has a super low input lag of 2.6 ms in Game mode, which means you can play your games without any lag or stutter. You can also hook up your Xbox console to one of the four HDMI inputs, one of which supports eARC for connecting soundbars or other audio gear. 

You can use the mics on the TV or the Fire TV Alexa Voice Remote to turn on the TV, find, launch, or control content, switch inputs, and more. You can also ask Alexa to show you the weather, sports scores, news headlines, and other cool stuff. You can even connect Alexa to your Xbox and boss it around like the good old days of the Kinect (RIP).

If you’re a gamer who wants to score some amazing deals on Prime Day, you’ll need to have an Amazon Prime account before you can request an invite or buy anything else Prime Day related.

Don’t worry. You can sign up for a free 30-day trial and cancel anytime. Then, you can request an invite for this insane offer by clicking the link above and hitting the “Request Invite” button below the price while logged into your Amazon account. 

If you get lucky, you can buy one of these awesome TVs for only $99.99 today and tomorrow But hurry, this is a one-time deal, and it’s hotter than any Black Friday deal I’ve ever seen.

This Insignia Class F30 4K smart Fire TV from 2020 is on sale for $469.99 as part of Amazon's deals of the day. This deal isn't the lowest price we've ever seen, that would belong to last year's Black Friday shopping event. However, outside of that, this is the lowest we've seen. The 65-inch TV normally sells for around $500 and even jumped as high as $570 at the beginning of the year. The deal price vanishes at the end of the day.

Not only can you watch your content in 4K pixel resolution, but the TV has a smart processor that can help upscale all the media you consume to 4K or as close as possible. With HDR10, it supports HDR content for an even better image quality. You also get three HDMI ports and a USB port so you can hook up peripherals and accessories or even connect a console or laptop. Plus, with the VESA 400 x 300 mounting pattern you can forgo the stand altogether and mount this TV to your wall.

With Fire TV built right in, the TV gives you access to all your favorite streaming apps from a super easy-to-use platform. Access Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and a whole bunch of other popular apps. It also has Alexa-enabled skills and can work with the included voice remote. The remote lets you talk to Alexa, search for titles, switch inputs, control your smart home and more. If you have an HDTV antenna like this one you can integrate the over-the-air channels with your streaming channels. Put it all on one screen so you can switch between it easily.

This is covered by a one-year warranty from Insignia.

Amazon's Fire TV family isn't exactly built for gaming, but thanks to its Android base, there are some casual games on its store for you or your kids to enjoy. Controller support is built-in, and you don't need to use Amazon's own (which itself isn't supported by some of the latest devices). Luckily, it's super simple to pair an Xbox One controller. Whether you want to game or just control the Fire TV, it's simple to do with your existing Xbox controller.

Products used in this guide

• Affordable video streamer: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K ($50 at Amazon)
• Best controller around: Xbox One Controller ($53 at Amazon)

How to pair an Xbox One controller to Amazon Fire TV

A caveat: if you're using the original, first-gen Xbox One controller or the first-gen Xbox Elite Wireless controller, you won't be able to do this. Neither of those controllers support Bluetooth, which is necessary for pairing. The current standard controller, as shipped with all consoles from the Xbox One S launch, and the Series 2 Elite controller are fine.

Similarly, if you're using a third-party controller that is wired or simply doesn't support Bluetooth, you cannot use it here, either.

1. On your Fire TV scroll over to settings.
2. Select remotes & Bluetooth devices.
3. Select game controllers.
4. Select add new game controller.
5. Next, make sure your Xbox One controller is turned on.
6. Press and hold the pair button until the Xbox logo button flashes steadily.
7. When the Fire TV detects your controller, choose it from the list.

You can now not only use your Xbox One controller to play games but to navigate the Fire TV and control media playback. It's even supported for entering PIN codes for access to restricted content. The B button is recognized to go back as it would be on the Xbox One, and the only differences in function to the Alexa Voice Remote are the lack of direct volume control and access to Alexa voice search.

Our top equipment picks

Amazon's newer Fire TV devices support the Xbox One controller, but if we were picking one, it'd be the affordable Fire TV Stick 4K.

For a double whammy, you can also run the Fire TV Stick 4K into the HDMI input on your Xbox One and view it through the TV app, saving space on your actual TV. But if you're using a controller with it in this way, you'd have to have a second one connected only to the console.

Additional Equipment

Any current generation official Xbox One controller will work with the Fire TV, but if you're in the market for a new one, there are plenty of designs from which to choose. This grey/green combination is one of our current favorites.

Xbox One controller ($53 at Amazon)

Control your Xbox or your Fire TV in some serious style with the grey and green Xbox One controller.

If you didn't upgrade your TV over the Black Friday weekend, don't worry. You haven't missed your chance. Right now, Best Buy is running a one-day sale on a variety of Toshiba and Insignia Fire TV Edition models with savings of up to $150 to be found. Whether you want a small HD TV set for a bedroom or a 55-inch 4K smart TV to replace your aging living room TV, this sale has got you covered. Shipping is free.

The most affordable option in the sale is the 32-inch Toshiba Fire TV Edition at $119.99. It usually goes for nearer $180. It offers a 720p resolution so is probably best suited to a bedroom or kids play room rather than your living room, but it has all of the Amazon smarts and even support Alexa skills via the included voice remote. As far as super-affordable TVs go, this one is a smart choice.

If you want to bump up the screen size and resolution, the 43-inch Insignia 4K Fire TV Edition is worth a look at $199.99. At $100 off, it's a really affordable UHD smart TV. There's a 50-inch Insignia model for just $50 more which matches the lowest that model has ever gone before, or you can go all the way to 55 inches for $280 — $150 off its list price. It supports 4K HDR and has 3 HDMI ports and a USB port for hooking up your existing tech. Toshiba offers similar sets in these same sizes, though the prices tend to be a tad higher.

Every Fire TV Edition set has Amazon's Fire OS built-in which saves you needing an extra device like the Fire TV Stick to gain access to all of the smart functionaltiy and streaming media you'd expect these days.

These deals all end when the day does, so don't miss your chance to place an order at these low prices.

With Disney+ just over two months away from its debut, it's time to give a little love to any room in your home with a TV that's unprepared to stream all the upcoming original shows, movies, and classics that the service will contain. Thanks to a new offer at Amazon, you can score $20 back when you purchase two of Amazon's Fire TV Stick streaming media players at $39.99 apiece and activate one before September 13. You'll need to add two to your cart for this deal to take effect. This offer is also available on the Fire TV Stick 4K, though it doesn't look as if you can buy one of both to redeem this deal.

Once one of the Fire TV Stick devices has been activated, meaning once it has been turned on for the first time and set up, a $20 promo credit will be automatically applied to your Amazon account which can be used towards anything shipped and sold directly by Amazon.com. It expires on October 13, so be sure to use it before then!

The Fire TV Stick is Amazon's most affordable streaming device that provides quick and easy access to popular services like Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Netflix, and more. Its remote is also Alexa-enabled, which means that you can speak to it and play your favorite shows without having to search for them manually. The device supports a picture quality up to 1080p and features Dolby Audio.

If you hurry, you can even score 33% off your Disney+ membership for three years! That would bring its cost down to just $3.92 monthly, though you would have to pay for the full three-year subscription in advance.

Have you ended up with a new Fire TV device since Prime Day? Now's the time to pull it out and get it all set up as Amazon is offering a $5 promo credit to those who do so before August 30. The credit is stated to be applied to your account within 10 days after registering your Fire TV device, after which you can purchase anything shipped and sold by Amazon.com (not a third-party seller) and receive $5 off your order.

The deal given is no longer valid and we do not have a better one. However, we have found some similar deals

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The Fire TV Cube is one of the most powerful Fire TV devices so far, and it's also the first-ever hands-free streaming media player with Alexa. That means it has the power to be controlled using only your voice, and you can even control compatible smart home devices with it too.

If your home is still without a Fire TV device, Amazon also has a deal where you can score a $20 promo credit with purchase of two of the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K or two of the standard Amazon Fire TV Stick at their normal prices.

Amazon is partnering up with Best Buy once again to begin offering its Fire TV functionality built-in to Insignia televisions. Earlier during 2018, Best Buy announced that it would start selling Toshiba Smart TVs with the Fire TV experience built-in, and they were such a success that a new line of TVs from Best Buy's private label, Insignia, has been unveiled.

The original Toshiba Fire TV Edition televisions started at $329.99 and came in sizes of 43 inches, 50 inches, and 55 inches, while today you could snatch one from Amazon starting at $300. The new Insignia Fire TV Edition televisions don't vary here; they'll be available at the same $329.99 starting price and in the same sizes.

Similar to the Toshiba line of televisions, the Insignia Fire TV Edition will offer 4K UHD resolution while integrating live, over-the-air channels with streaming channels such as Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video. You won't need to plug in any dongles or anything like that; simply connect the TV to your home's Wi-Fi network and you'll gain access to thousands of channels, apps, and even the Amazon Alexa smart assistant. You'll also receive a Voice Remote with Alexa that makes it easy to locate titles, apps, or music; it can even control your smart home devices.

The new Insignia Fire TV Edition televisions are priced at $329.99 for the 43-inch version, 50-inch for $379.99, and 55-inch for $449.99. You'll find them now available exclusively at Best Buy's website and Amazon's, while physical Best Buy stores are slated to receive stock soon.

See at Best Buy

If you enjoy mirroring your Windows Phone to your TV, the Fire TV Stick is a great option for doing so. And it has so many benefits over a Miracast adapter, especially if you don't use any other set-top boxes or something like an Xbox One.

I'll admit I didn't look into any details on the Fire TV Stick before picking one up. Aside from knowing it runs Android, has a bunch of UK specific on-demand content apps, Netflix and all the Amazon digital ecosystem, it's just a low-cost way of having said services in my bedroom. So imagine the surprise when I discovered it's also a pretty nifty way to mirror my Windows Phone to the TV. If this sounds tempting, here's how you do it. Do note that not all Windows Phones support screen mirroring.

1. On the Fire TV Stick, hold down the Home button on the remote.
2. Select the "Mirroring" option to prepare the device.
3. Open up "Settings" on your Windows Phone.
4. Scroll down until you find the "project my screen" option.
5. You should now see your Fire TV Stick as an option to pair with.
6. Tap to pair and you should see your Windows Phone display appear on your TV!

Miracast dongle's aren't the most common thing around and when you consider Microsoft's own will set you back £60 in the UK, the current promo price of £25 (regular RRP is £35) makes this all the more tempting. And you have the added bonus of being able to do a whole bunch of stuff (even play Crossy Road) on the Fire TV Stick without your phone attached.

• Buy an Amazon Fire TV Stick from Amazon (U.S.), (UK) ($39/£25)