Amazon has alerted certain Fire TV and Echo users that one of its smart devices, the Fire TV Blaster, will soon be discontinued. The company confirmed that the Blaster will cease functioning “in the coming weeks.” Initially, the Fire TV Blaster provided hands-free voice controls for home theaters and operated when paired with a Fire TV Stick or smart speaker.
Upon installation, the Fire TV Blaster allowed users to control soundbars, adjust volume, and change channels on set-top boxes using Alexa voice commands. The device was taken off the market a year ago due to complex setup issues and received unfavorable reviews. Amazon later introduced the Fire TV Cube, which offered similar functionalities in a more user-friendly manner.
According to Amazon, the Fire TV Blaster served its purpose during a transitional phase in the smart home industry. However, advancements in technology and the development of other Fire TV products rendered the standalone IR blaster obsolete. Owners of the Blaster have been informed that it will no longer be operational, with U.S. users given the option to exchange it for a Fire TV Cube at a discounted price.
In the UK, purchasers of the Fire TV Blaster will receive a £34.99 gift card, automatically credited to their accounts. Amazon sent emails to affected customers, notifying them about the discontinuation of support for the Fire TV Blaster, resulting in the device becoming non-functional.
In addition to providing discounts on the Fire TV Cube and gift cards, Amazon announced a free recycling program for old Fire TV Blasters. Users can print a shipping label to return their devices for recycling purposes.
