Amazon has alerted certain users of Fire TV and Echo devices that one of its smart products, the Fire TV Blaster, will soon be discontinued. The Blaster, which provided hands-free voice controls for home theaters when paired with a Fire TV Stick or smart speaker, is set to stop functioning in the upcoming weeks.
Initially designed to enable users to manage soundbars, adjust volume, and switch channels on set-top boxes through Alexa voice commands, the Fire TV Blaster was removed from sale a year ago due to complex setup issues and replaced by the more user-friendly Fire TV Cube.
Amazon acknowledged that the Fire TV Blaster served a purpose during the smart home industry’s transition period but became obsolete with the advancement of new technologies and the evolution of other Fire TV products that integrated similar functionalities without the need for a standalone IR blaster.
Users owning a Fire TV Blaster will no longer have access to its features and are being offered the option to exchange it for a discounted Fire TV Cube in the US. In the UK, owners will receive a £34.99 gift card automatically credited to their accounts.
Amazon has started contacting users who purchased the Fire TV Blaster to inform them of the impending discontinuation of support and functionality. Additionally, Amazon is providing discounts on the Fire TV Cube and gift cards while offering free recycling services for old Fire TV Blasters, with users only needing to print a shipping label and return the device.