X

Amazon is reportedly working on a new DVR

The device, currently nicknamed Frank, would connect to a Fire TV streamer.

Ben Fox Rubin Former senior reporter
Ben Fox Rubin was a senior reporter for CNET News in Manhattan, reporting on Amazon, e-commerce and mobile payments. He previously worked as a reporter for The Wall Street Journal and got his start at newspapers in New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Ben Fox Rubin
2 min read
66-amazon-fire-tv-cube

Amazon's Fire TV Cube, which is a video streamer and Alexa-powered smart speaker.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Amazon is looking to dominate your home entertainment system.

The online retailer is developing a new digital video recorder, nicknamed "Frank" within Amazon, according to a report Friday from Bloomberg. The device would include physical storage, have the ability to record live TV and connect to Amazon's own Fire TV streaming boxes, the report said, citing an anonymous person familiar with the plans. Fire TV streamers can already play live TV through the Amazon Channels service, but they don't work as DVRs.

Watch this: A look at Amazon's rumored DVR device

Amazon representatives didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

If the new device exists and Amazon decides to start selling it, the DVR would become another piece of Amazon's growing list of products and services it's using to expand its influence in the living room. The company already sells Fire TV streamers, the new Fire TV Cube and TVs from Toshiba that have the Fire TV interface built in. It also created Prime Video, a library of streaming TV shows and movies available to its Prime members.

Expanding from there, Amazon is making a push to lead in the emerging smart home using its Alexa-enabled Echo smart speakers. It may come out with a home robot dubbed Project Vesta, too.

The new device could also cause headaches for TiVo, Dish and traditional cable providers, who already offer DVR services. TiVo's stock dropped 4 percent Friday, while Dish shares were down less than 1 percent.

Amazon Fire TV Cube controls your AV system with Alexa

See all photos

Follow the Money: This is how digital cash is changing the way we save, shop and work.

CNET Magazine: Check out a sample of the stories in CNET's newsstand edition.