Amazon's new Alexa Tablet range moves to Android, aiming to compete with premium slates

Amazon has unveiled a new lineup of Alexa Tablets, marking a significant shift by replacing the long-standing FireOS with Android. This transition aims to address historical criticisms regarding app support and performance that plagued previous Kindle Fire models. The new series, which includes the flagship Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, features high-end specifications such as 120Hz displays, MediaTek Dimensity 8400 chipsets, and up to 16GB of RAM. The devices integrate deeply with Amazon’s Alexa+ services, offering enhanced smart home control and context-aware assistance. With competitive pricing starting at $499.99 for the Pro model, Amazon is positioning these tablets as viable alternatives to premium devices like the iPad. The range, which also includes 11-inch and 8-inch models, is available for pre-order, with shipping scheduled to begin on October 19. This pivot represents a major effort by Amazon to reclaim its standing in the mobile computing market.