Amazon Overhauls Fire Tablet Software: What’s Next for the Company’s Popular Device?

Amazon Possibly Moving Away from Proprietary Software on Fire Tablets

Recent reports suggest that Amazon might be shifting away from its custom software on Fire tablets. Instead, the tech giant is said to be working on a new high-end tablet that will run on the Android operating system. This anticipated device is expected to hit the market next year, with an estimated price tag of around $400.

While Amazon’s current Fire tablet software is a heavily modified version of Android, the upcoming tablet is rumored to utilize the original Android OS. This potential move is likely to benefit users who seek seamless integration with other Android devices.

The shift towards a more standard operating system is also expected to be advantageous for app developers. The existing Fire OS imposes the use of Amazon’s own app store, resulting in the need for developers to create separate app versions for Amazon tablets. This limitation has restricted the variety of apps available on the Amazon store when compared to competitors like the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

However, the potential drawback of this transition could be the speculated $400 price point for the new tablet. Amazon’s Fire tablets are known for their affordability, with promotions and discounts often making them even more budget-friendly. Currently, the most expensive Fire tablet is priced at $230.

Amazon has chosen not to provide any official comments on this development, leaving consumers and tech enthusiasts eager for more details on the specifications of the upcoming tablet. Hopefully, the anticipated price increase will translate into improved internal components and enhanced performance.

This potential shift away from proprietary software is not entirely new for Amazon, as evidenced by the company’s past experiences with the Fire Phone. The Fire Phone, which used a custom operating system, failed to resonate with consumers and was eventually discontinued by Amazon.