RIP, Amazon Fire tablets: 2011-2026
Amazon is discontinuing its Fire tablets and replacing the budget devices with a new line of pricier "Alexa" tablets with Alexa+ built in.
In 2011, Amazon's founder Jeff Bezos unveiled the Kindle Fire tablet, launching a 15-year run of budget-friendly devices. However, after a long stint, Amazon is now phasing out the Fire-branded tablets. The company's new lineup features Alexa+ voice assistants and runs on Google's Android operating system. These new Alexa Tablets, priced between $229.99 and $499.99, will be available for purchase starting October 14 in the US, Mexico, and Canada.
Amazon will continue to sell the existing Fire tablets but will stop manufacturing new units with that branding. Despite the end of the Fire tablets, the company assures that Fire owners will still receive support, including security updates, as they remain a distinct product line. Amazon's decision to move away from the Fire tablets echoes its previous experience with the high-profile flop of the Fire Phone.
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