4 ways Amazon’s new Alexa tablets eclipse the Fire line – starting with Google Play

Amazon's new Alexa Tablets offer a significant upgrade over the company's Fire line, with features like Google Play access and an upgraded design. The lineup includes the Alexa Tablet 8 at $230, the Alexa Tablet 11 at $330, and the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro starting at $500, with pre-orders available and shipping starting October 14. The 12 Pro model boasts a 4nm 8-core processor, 8GB or 16GB of RAM, and an 8-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate.

Unlike the Fire Tablets, these Alexa Tablets come with Google Play pre-installed, providing access to a wider range of apps. They also feature an integrated Alexa+ virtual assistant that is woven into the interface, allowing for more seamless interactions. The hardware upgrades are notable, with the 12 Pro model featuring a more premium aluminum design, a larger 4,096 pressure-levels Pro Pen, and the option of a Nanomatte anti-glare display for an additional $50.

Additionally, Amazon has launched two new Kids' Tablets in bright colors, both with access to Google Play and improved hardware, though they come with a one-year limited warranty compared to the previous two-year guarantee.