Amazon has introduced a totally new range of tablet so Android, full access to Google Play and the deeply integrated Alexa+ intelligence are available to its hardware family. The release is a significant shift from Amazon’s older Fire tablets, which were based on an adapted copy of Android, providing predominantly their app store.
The new lineup consists of the Amazon Alexa Tablet 8, Alexa Tablet 11 and premium Alexa Tablet 12 Pro. All three run Android and provide access to the full Google Play Store, allowing users to download popular applications such as YouTube, Netflix, Gmail, and Google Docs alongside Amazon’s own services including Prime Video, Kindle, Audible, and Amazon Music.
Any of these products coming to Google Play could help alleviate one of the biggest drawbacks of old Fire tablets. Amazon’s old tablets were typically cheaper than competitors, but could run a smaller app library due to the lack of Google Play. The new tablets are clearly aimed at consumers who want a more traditional Android experience, but still want to be deeply intertwined with Amazon.
The most expensive model is the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro. It has a 12-inch 120Hz touchscreen with a 3:2 aspect ratio and a sleek, 6.5mm thick unibody aluminum body. You can choose the Nanomatte display, which cuts down reflections for better visibility outdoors and in bright light conditions. The Alexa Tablet 12 Pro supports up to 16GB of RAM and comes with a Pro Pen and a Pro Keyboard so you can do work on your tablet.
The Alexa Tablet 11 falls in the middle with an 11-inch 2.5K display 90Hz 8GB of RAM, and up to 15 hours of video playback. The Alexa Tablet 8 is the smaller 8.7-inch version, weighing in at 329 grams for portability. The Tablet 8 starts at $229.99; the Tablet 11 begins at $329.99 and the Tablet 12 Pro begins at $499.99 (with the Nanomatte version of the Pro starting at $549.99).
Another big feature of the new look is Alexa+. The AI assistant is built into the tablets and can be activated on the new Fire OS by tapping a button or using a voice command. Its new On-Screen Intelligence offers can scan the contents of the Fire tablets and offer relevant answers, allowing users to ask questions about a webpage, items on a shopping list or calendar.
Amazon has also launched new Kids Tablets designed for younger users. These tablets are available in 8.7-inch and 11-inch sizes, with separate models intended for children ages 3 and up and for those ages 6 and up. The versions for younger children feature protective soft bumpers, while the models for older children come with slimmer protective cases.
The Kids models offer Amazon Kids+ and parent-empowered access to Google Play. All devices come with one-year Kids+ membership with books, games, videos, and educational content from brands like Disney Nickelodeon and LEGO. Parents can approve each download from Google Play and control the device’s screen time browsing learning goals and activity from Amazon’s Parent Dashboard.
