In a bid to compete with devices like the Google Chromecast, Roku and mainly the Apple TV, Amazon today announced the Amazon Fire TV. According to chairman Jeff Bezos, the Fire TV “is a tiny box that plugs into your HDTV. It’s the easiest way to enjoy Netflix, Prime Instant Video, Hulu Plus, WatchESPN, low-cost video rentals, and more. With instant access to over 200,000 TV episodes and movies, plus all your favorite subscriptions and streaming services, you can watch what you want, when you want.”

In addition, if you’re a Prime member “you get unlimited access to thousands of popular movies and TV shows, including exclusives like Downton Abbey, The Americans, Alpha House, and Under the Dome.” All in 1080p, of course.

Bu wait, there’s even more. “Fire TV has voice search that actually works. The old way of searching with a TV remote—scrolling and clicking one letter at a time on an alphabet grid—is painful. With Fire TV you simply speak the title, actor, or genre into the remote and you’re done.”

The internal specs of the Fire TV are impressive as well. The device features a quad-core processor, dedicated GPU, 2 GB of memory, and dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi. It also features a new buffering system which will supposedly help eliminate any streaming lag. Of course, your mileage may vary.

The device also plays games. Titles at launch include Minecraft, The Walking Dead, Monsters University, the Amazon exclusive Sev Zero, and many other free games available to Prime Members.

The Amazon Fire TV is $99.00 and ships today. The optional game controller will set you back another $39.99.

If you’re already taking advantage of Amazon’s Prime service, this is a post for you. And if you’re not, it might be a good idea to pay attention too. Why?

Well, the company announced today they are raising prices on their Prime service to $99 from its current level of $79. Students will pay $49, up from $39.

New members have until March 20 to sign up for $79, according to the company, while current members will see the price increase to $99 at their next renewal. Guess they’ve gotta pay for those drones somehow, right?

Members whose accounts are set to renew before April 17 will be charged $79. Lucky them.

Currently, members get unlimited free two-day shipping on eligible items, free streaming of movies and TV episodes, and free e-book borrowing from Amazon’s library of more than 475,000 titles. It’s expected that Amazon will offer additional services and perks to help soften the blow of the price increase. But so far, no word on what those might be.

In the meantime, if you haven’t signed up yet, now would be a good time. Check out more at the official Amazon Prime page.

It pretty much goes without saying that Star Wars, and all its many incarnations, are cultural icons of great significance. But, we’ll say it anyway. Why not?

It also pretty much goes without saying that Star Wars is hugely popular entertainment that have captivated audiences all around the world. Live action movies, toys, animation and more.

But it’s animation we’re talking about today with a preview of the upcoming Netflix exclusive series Star Wars: Clone Wars Lost Missions. Here’s more:

In these eagerly anticipated episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, some of the deepest mysteries of the conflict between the light and the dark sides of the Force are revealed. An intrepid clone trooper discovers a shocking secret; Anakin Skywalker’s closest relationship is tested to its limits and what Master Yoda discovers while investigating the disappearance of a Jedi could forever change the balance of power in the galaxy

Check out the preview after the break. Look for Star Wars: The Clone Wars Lost Missions to arrive on March 7.

Much as it did with The Killing and Arrested Development, Netflix has decided to give a cancelled series a new lease on life. Well, for at least one more season anyway. That series? Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

That’s right, the streaming service will unleash a 13-episode sixth season of the animated series next month. The season will be called Titled The Lost Missions which promises to reveal “some of the deepest mysteries of the conflict between the light and the dark sides of the Force leading to a series finale.”

“An intrepid clone trooper discovers a shocking secret, Anakin Skywalker’s closest relationship is tested to its limits, and what Master Yoda discovers while investigating the disappearance of a Jedi could forever change the balance of power in the galaxy.”

Sounds good, right? We really hope this is a success because then it could open up other opportunities for canceled series that didn’t get a proper send off.

Firefly anyone? Let’s make it happen Netflix.

Look for Star Wars: The Clone Wars to debut in March 7.

This will be a welcome announcement for the thousands (or more) of you using an Apple TV. HBO Go and Watch ESPN are now available via that device.

“HBO GO and WatchESPN are some of the most popular iOS apps and are sure to be huge hits on Apple TV,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “We continue to offer Apple TV users great new programming options, combined with access to all of the incredible content they can purchase from the iTunes Store.”

In case you didn’t know: HBO GO users get unlimited access to their favorite HBO shows, including HBO original programming, hit movies, sports, documentaries, comedy specials and more. This includes full seasons of the best of HBO, plus bonus features and special behind-the-scenes extras. HBO GO on Apple TV requires a subscription to HBO through participating television providers.

Here’s all the technical details too, just in case: Apple TV requires iTunes 10.5 or later. Apple TV requires an 802.11g/n Wi-Fi network or Ethernet network, a broadband Internet connection and a HD TV capable of 1080p or 720p and an HDMI cable that is sold separately. Third generation Apple TV hardware is required to play 1080p video. HBO GO, Watch ESPN, SkyNews, Crunchyroll and Qello require Apple TV software version 5.3 available as a free software update for second and third generation Apple TV users.

Truth be told, this is great news. We love our Apple TV and now we don’t have to fire up the XBox 360 or PS3 just to watch repeats of Game of Thrones. Thanks Apple.