Amazon has notified some users of Fire TV and Echo devices about the discontinuation of one of its smart products. The device in question, the Fire TV Blaster, will cease functioning permanently in the near future. Initially designed to provide hands-free voice controls for home theaters, the Blaster could operate in conjunction with a Fire TV Stick or smart speaker.
Upon setup, the Fire TV Blaster allowed users to control soundbars, adjust volume, and change channels on set-top boxes using Alexa voice commands. The product was withdrawn from sale a year ago due to complex setup issues and lukewarm reviews. Amazon introduced the Fire TV Cube as an alternative, offering similar functionalities with enhanced user-friendliness.
Amazon acknowledged that the Fire TV Blaster served a purpose during a transitional phase in the smart home industry. However, advancements in technology and the evolution of other Fire TV products rendered the standalone IR blaster unnecessary. Users who own a Fire TV Blaster have been informed that the device will soon become inoperable, with US customers given the option to exchange it for a discounted Fire TV Cube.
In the UK, purchasers of the Fire TV Blaster will receive a £34.99 gift card automatically credited to their accounts. Amazon is also offering to recycle old Fire TV Blasters for free, with users only needing to print a shipping label and return the device.
Communication sent to customers states, “In the coming weeks, support for the Fire TV Blaster will be discontinued, and the device will stop working.” In addition to discounts on the Fire TV Cube and gift cards, Amazon will facilitate the recycling of old Fire TV Blasters at no cost to users.