Amazon has alerted certain Fire TV and Echo users that one of its smart products, the Fire TV Blaster, will soon be discontinued. The company stated that the device will cease functioning “in the coming weeks.” Initially, the Fire TV Blaster provided hands-free voice controls for users with home theaters and operated in conjunction 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 product was taken off the market a year ago after facing negative reviews related to complex setup issues. Amazon introduced the Fire TV Cube, a more user-friendly alternative with similar functionalities.
According to Amazon, the Fire TV Blaster fulfilled its purpose during a transitional phase in the smart home industry. The advancement of new technology and the evolution of other Fire TV products rendered the standalone IR blaster obsolete.
Current Fire TV Blaster owners have been informed that the device will soon become inoperative. In the U.S., owners have the option to exchange it for a Fire TV Cube at a discounted price. In the UK, purchasers will receive a £34.99 gift card automatically credited to their accounts.
An email received by customers who bought the Fire TV Blaster stated, “In the coming weeks, support for the Fire TV Blaster will be discontinued, and the device will stop working.” Amazon also mentioned that they will recycle old Fire TV Blasters free of charge, with users only needing to print a shipping label and return the device for recycling.
