Amazon unveils Fire TV Stick 4K Select, Vega-powered budget 4K stick

Amazon introduced a new budget 4K streaming stick on Tuesday, unveiling the Fire TV Stick 4K Select at its fall hardware event. The device is available for preorder for $39.99 and is scheduled to ship on October 15, joining a refreshed Fire TV lineup that includes redesigned Omni QLED televisions and updated Alexa features announced at the same event.

Amazon said the Fire TV Stick 4K Select supports 4K Ultra HD and HDR formats and runs on a new platform called Vega, which the company described as responsive and efficient. The company promoted the device as delivering fast app launches and improved interface performance at an entry-level price. Amazon also said Vega-ready versions of major streaming apps will be available and that, for security reasons, only apps distributed through the Amazon Appstore can be downloaded onto the new stick.

The Select is positioned below Amazon's existing Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Stick 4K Max in the product range. It retails for $10 to $20 less than the listed prices of those models, but several of the older sticks are currently on steep sale ahead of Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days. Amazon's standard 4K stick has been discounted to as low as...