Amazon Kills Fire Tablets and Bets Big on New Android‑Powered Alexa Slates

Amazon has officially drawn the curtain on its Fire Tablet line and is replacing it with an all‑new "Alexa Tablet" family that runs full Android instead of Amazon’s custom Fire OS. That shift means these devices can now act like conventional Android tablets, with broad access to popular apps through Google Play and other standard app stores, rather than a tightly controlled ecosystem.

The new lineup comes in multiple sizes, with the flagship 12‑inch model offering stylus support and a matte display that cuts down on glare. Reviewers who went hands‑on say it feels noticeably more premium than past Fire hardware and is well‑suited for reading, handwritten notes and light sketching. As the name suggests, Alexa is still front and center: the tablets double as smart displays and smart‑home hubs, making it easier to control lights, cameras and other IoT devices by voice.

Amazon plans to launch the tablets in the US, Mexico and Canada on October 14, 2026, followed by the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain on October 19. The move marks a major strategic pivot from ultra‑cheap media slates toward more capable Android hardware, and it could shake up the budget tablet segment far beyond North America and Europe.