It's all too easy to overlook the quality of the remote control when picking a streaming device, as I've written before. You might not realize it from the price tag, for instance, but the $180 Apple TV 4K has one of the worst remotes on the market. The slim design too easily slips between couch cushions, and its trackpad-based controls have a steep learning curve. Conversely, the $29 Roku Express seems like a great value until you realize that its remote lacks basic TV controls. What's a cord-cutter to do, then? If you're stuck with a bad remote, consider a third-party replacement instead of buying an entirely new streaming device.

A good remote can make all the difference with a streaming device, adding control and convenience to the cornucopia of content options available. Now, Amazon's Fire TV lineup is adding much more power to its viewing experience with a slick new remote, and you can grab one today for just $15, a unheard-of 50 percent drop from its list price of $30. This remote is easy to use but comes with plenty of bells and whistles, including Amazon's Alexa digital assistant built-in for voice control. To take that even further, you can also connect this remote to an Amazon Echo. If you use it to control a Fire TV Stick (note that it won't work with the 1st-gen edition), you'll finally be able to manage volume and power from your remote, with an infrared emitter that allows it to control your TV, A/V receiver, or soundbar.

On Wednesday, Amazon did what it probably should have done a while ago: It announced a Fire TV that plays 4K HDR video. The new Fire TV costs $70 and begins shipping on October 25. While it's not the first Amazon device to stream in 4K resolution--the now-discontinued Fire TV box has done so since 2015--it's the company's first to play high dynamic range video, whose greater color detail is more noticeable than 4K alone. Although Amazon has included 4K HDR content in its own Prime Video service for two years, it now has the hardware to go with it. But 4K HDR is no standout feature, even at Amazon's low prices.