Amazon just dropped a bombshell on Fire TV fans. The company plans to disable the Fire TV Blaster remotely. The owner got emails saying support ends in the coming weeks. Devices will stop working completely.
This gadget launched back in 2019. It lets users control TVs, soundbars, receivers, and cable boxes with Alexa voice commands. Pair it with a Fire TV Stick and an Echo speaker. It blasts infrared signals like a smart remote. No more fumbling for buttons during binge sessions.
Think hands-free fun. Say “Alexa, switch to Netflix” or “turn off the TV.” It mimics pricey Fire TV Cube features at a budget price. Priced around $35, it brought smart home vibes to old setups. Entertainment lovers grabbed it for easy movie nights.
But sales fizzled. Amazon stopped selling it in early 2025 after four rocky years. The setup was tricky at first. Needed both the Fire TV and Alexa apps. Later updates fixed bugs and boosted ratings. Still, low demand sealed its fate.
Now the real drama: Amazon will brick it via software update. First time for a Fire TV accessory. Other gadgets like the Echo Flex from 2019 still work fine. Fire TV Recast DVR too. Why kill this one so fast? Some buyers had had it for a year.
Amazon explains: HDMI-CEC tech took over. The Fire TV lineup evolved. No need for a standalone IR blaster anymore. “The device served its purpose in a transitional phrase,” they told reporters. Smart homes got smarter without it.
Outrage brews online. Fans call it an e-waste nightmare. “Should be illegal,” blasts one YouTuber. Reddit threads explode with anger. Trust in Amazon gadgets? Shaken. What if your Echo goes next?
Good news for wallets. Amazon offers perks. $60 off Fire TV Cube drops it to $79.99. Use code 60FTV by March 31, 2026. Or 50% off Fire TV Sticks with 50FTV. Cube has a built-in blaster and full Alexa smarts. Perfect upgrade for streamers.
Not upgrading? Free recycling labels are included. Ship it back easily. In Germany, folks get 29.40 euro gift cards auto-deposited. No action needed.
AFTVnews broke the story hard. No more voice-controlled marathons of Stranger Things or Witcher seasons. Sports fans lose quick channel flips for big games. Movie buffs scramble for remotes mid-action.
This hits entertainment hard. No more voice-controlled marathons of Stranger Things or Witcher seasons. Sports fans lose quick channel flips for big games. Movie buffs scramble for remotes mid-action.
Is this the end of short-lived gadgets? Amazon pushes premium gear now. Cube reigns supreme. But bricking devices sparks debate on planned obsolescence. Viewers demand longevity in streaming wars.
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