Amazon Turns its Fire TV Cube Into Business-Focused WorkSpaces Thin Client

Amazon has turned its Fire TV Cube streaming box into the Amazon WorkSpaces Thin Client, an affordable enterprise solution for accessing cloud-based virtual desktops. The device uses the exact same hardware as the consumer-focused Fire TV Cube, and the existing USB and HDMI ports can be used to connect to a desktop and other productivity peripherals.

“While the idea of a thin client computer isn’t new, the combination of advances in technology driven by the cloud and the shifts in work culture make the timing of the Amazon WorkSpaces Thin Client ideal,” Amazon said today. Indeed, a company that uses virtual desktops to let its employees access a limited set of applications in the cloud may not want to invest in laptops or desktop PCs that cost much more than a Fire TV Cube.

The Amazon WorkSpaces Thin Client will provide seamless access to virtual desktops powered by Amazon WorkSpaces or Amazon AppStream. Amazon created custom firmware and software to make its WorkSpaces Thin Client easy to use for employees. Moreover, IT Pros also get advanced management capabilities through the AWS Management Console.

“Customers told us they needed a lower-cost device, especially in high-turnover environments, like call centers or payment processing,” said Melissa Stein, director of product for End User Computing at AWS. “We looked for options and found that the hardware we used for the Amazon Fire TV Cube provided all the resources customers needed to access their cloud-based virtual desktops. So, we built an entirely new software stack for that device, and since we didn’t have to design and build new hardware, we’re passing those savings along to customers.”

The Amazon Workspaces Thin Client will be priced at $195 in the United States (the regular 3rd-gen Fire TV Cube hardware launched at $140 last year), or $280 with an optional hub to connect a second monitor. Customers also need to pay $6/month to monitor each device and let it access the company’s virtual desktop service. Amazon plans to expand its availability to other countries in early 2024.