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Amazon releases thin client

by on28 November 2023


Desktop-as-a-service based on Fire cube

Amazon Web Services has announced the WorkSpaces Thin Client -- a device dedicated to connecting to its WorkSpaces desktop-as-a-service offering based on Amazon's own "Fire Cube" smart TV box.

The $195 machine has an eight-core Arm-powered Amlogic POP1-G SoC, 2GB of LPDDR4 RAM, 10/100 ethernet, and a single USB-A 2.0 port. Bluetooth is included to connect other peripherals. A second HDMI output can be added by acquiring an $85 hub with four more USB ports. Like the Fire TV Cube, the Thin Client runs a modified version of Android.

But this is not a Firebox, as its consumer device bits and bobs have been ripped out, and any software designed solely to make a secure connection between the device and desktops running in the Amazonian cloud where most of the fun stuff will take place.

AWS decided to base the box on the Fire Cube because, according to a corporate blog post, AWS customers desire cheaper, easier-to-maintain client devices. The Fire TV Cube was already being made at scale and in-house.

Amazon wants to use the device in the enterprise PC market: call and payment processing centers, and other environments with many users and high staff turnover due to seasonal demand.

Last modified on 28 November 2023
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