How many times a week does your household ask such a question? According to Ericsson survey data, Americans spend an average of an hour a day just looking for something to watch That number is beginning to decline as more people turn to streaming services for quick access to content that matters to them

One reason Americans have regained their "endless surfing" time is that streaming technology has become more sophisticated Streaming devices are no longer a fixture in one corner of the home, but an integrated service with multiple purposes The technology is working harder than ever to help us find our favorites, discover new content, and much more

We spoke with Sandeep Gupta, Amazon's VP and GM of Fire TV, to learn how streaming has evolved He offered five reasons why streaming helps us do more, keep entertained, and make life easier

When it comes to your favorite shows and content, no two viewers are the same That's why it's important to find a streaming service that allows you to create and set up profiles This allows multiple users of the same device to set their preferences so that they only see content that matches their interests We believe devices should be useful, proactive, and getting smarter every day based on how you use them," says Sandeep The more your device understands the type of content you prefer and the more it learns about the programs you are watching, the better recommendations the device will provide These features help customers eliminate "endless scrolling," he added

As more networks, studios, and other entertainment companies introduce streaming content services, such as Disney+, HBO Max, and Discovery+, it becomes increasingly important to help viewers find and watch what matters to them As more networks, studios, and other entertainment companies introduce streaming content services such as Discovery+, it becomes increasingly important to help viewers find and watch what matters to them Recently, Amazon revamped the Fire TV user interface One of the main reasons, Gupta added, is to help customers sort through the content on the device in a more intuitive and discoverable way recommendations more personalized Based on rankings and searches, Dynamic Row organizes fresh content according to Amazon Fire TV customers' preferences, schedules, and environments And when all else fails, there is a "Search" option, a new destination on Fire TV that makes it easy to discover movies, TV shows, and more Simply search for your favorite titles, browse by popular genres (comedy, action, etc) or helpful categories (free, sports, live TV, etc), or take a peek at the AppStore

Another feature that helps overcome the endless scrolling that accompanies today's content options is audio While it is sometimes easiest to browse using a remote control, more and more customers want to get to the content they like, and Fire TV gives them the option to leverage Alexa's voice capabilities to find the exact show, movie, or app they are looking for This allows you to spend more time enjoying what your streaming device has to offer and less time scrolling through irrelevant apps and content

Whether you have already cut the cord or are thinking about doing so, one of the biggest reasons people switch to streaming is value When you sign a contract with a cable provider, you are bound to the package they create, which often delivers content you will never see and does not align with your interests For the same or less cost as cable, you have the freedom to choose the services, apps, and content you want on your streaming device Value and flexibility are the main reasons our customers switch to Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Smart TV We offer multiple price points and a variety of streaming media device and smart TV options to meet their budget needs and provide choice"

More and more consumers are turning to streaming to not only watch their favorite movies and shows Whether you are shaping up, completing a sourdough starter, or simply saving money, streaming content allows you to find beneficial programs that match your interests Over the past year, cord-cutting has accelerated Streamers like Amazon customers are giving popularity to the following content categories:

"Perhaps the most advantageous feature of streaming is the ability to connect with other Alexa-enabled devices The combination of Alexa and Fire TV is making the smart home and connected car more sophisticated" In fact, by connecting the streaming device to other smart home devices, you can build connected solutions to control other devices around your home, such as security, communications, thermostats, lighting, and sound You can even remotely control your car from the comfort of your home Simply ask Alexa to remotely lock and unlock the doors, start and stop the engine, adjust the interior temperature, etc

Whether you want to catch up on your favorite shows, control the temperature and lighting on your living room TV, discover new interests, or something in between, streaming continues to evolve Gupta concluded, "It's no longer just watching TV, it's a connected, intelligent smart home experience for everything from finding movies and TV shows you want to watch, to watching live sports, to connecting to your social media accounts Streaming also offers non-traditional "TV" tasks, such as attending a fitness or cooking class, dimming the lights, turning on the home security system, or checking the calendar for the next day Today, streaming offers much more than traditional television, but we have only just scratched the surface of what is to come," Gupta added