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Panos Panay, Amazon's SVP of Devices and Alexa, revealed plans for more Alexa-branded hardware and a new design language called 'Neo.' He confirmed that the recently announced Alexa Tablet series marks Amazon's first product explicitly branded with Alexa, hinting at future devices. Panay also mentioned ongoing development of a new interface style, suggesting a broader redesign effort across Amazon's hardware lineup.
Amazon has introduced the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, a new device replacing its Fire tablet line, with starting prices of $499 for the base model and $549 for a premium version. The tablet features a 12-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Atmos speakers, and a MediaTek Dimensity 8400 processor, aiming to compete with the iPad Pro. Amazon emphasizes deep Alexa integration and a focus on delivering a premium experience at an affordable price point.
Amazon has introduced the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, positioning it as the new top-tier device, overtaking the Fire HD 10 in their lineup. The tablet features a 'nanomatte' display designed to mimic paper and a new processor to support Alexa+ AI capabilities. While it remains below premium tablets like iPads and Galaxy Tabs, it marks a notable upgrade over its predecessor.
Amazon has unveiled a new series of Alexa Tablets featuring an aluminum chassis and running on Android 16, with an upgrade to Android 17 planned for early 2027. These devices replace Fire OS with a standard Android experience, allowing users to access the Google Play Store and a wide range of apps, while integrating Amazon’s media and AI functionalities. The tablets also offer features like seamless content syncing across devices and a specialized Kindle mode for reading and battery optimization.
Amazon has unveiled a new line of Android tablets equipped with advanced Alexa capabilities, including live conversations and visual recognition. These features, previously unavailable, aim to enhance user interaction with the assistant for tasks like shopping, information retrieval, and object identification. Amazon's VP of devices indicated these innovations address previous product limitations, but declined to comment on potential smartphone development.
Amazon has introduced a new series of Alexa Tablets replacing its Fire lineup, featuring aluminum bodies and official Android 16 OS with access to Google Play. The lineup includes three models: 12 Pro, 11, and 8, priced from $230 to $500, with kids' editions available for the smaller devices. Shipping begins October 14, and Amazon commits to four years of software updates.
Amazon introduced a new series of Alexa tablets, including the 12 Pro, 11, and 8 models, all running on Android and offering access to the Google Play Store. These devices feature aluminum unibody designs, high-resolution screens, and enhanced performance capabilities, with the 12 Pro model boasting a 12-inch display and advanced hardware. Amazon also announced accessories like a Pro Pen and Pro Keyboard to expand tablet functionality, with prices starting at $499.99.
Amazon consumer electronics chief Panos Panay told Bloomberg that the company is phasing out its Fire tablet line in favor of new Alexa Tablets running standard Android with full Google Play Store access, unlike Fire OS devices which lacked native Google apps. Amazon will continue providing security updates for existing Fire tablets but will not release new hardware for the line, and Panay indicated more hardware announcements are planned for the fall, excluding any Amazon-branded computer or laptop.
Michael Smith, a 54-year-old from North Carolina, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and fined $8 million after orchestrating a large-scale AI music streaming scam. He used thousands of fake accounts and up to 10,000 bots to generate billions of streams of AI-created songs, earning millions in royalties and surpassing major artists' streaming figures. The FBI-led investigation uncovered the extent of his operation, which involved creating hundreds of thousands of AI tracks to sustain the fraudulent streams over several years.
Rohit Prasad, a veteran Amazon AI executive instrumental in developing Alexa, has been appointed as the new CEO of Boston Dynamics. His leadership comes as the robotics company prepares to scale up the production of humanoid robots.
In 2026, Ocean Bottle introduced a new line of reusable water bottles made primarily from recycled stainless steel, available in multiple sizes and colors. Each purchase supports ocean cleanup efforts by funding the collection of 25 pounds of plastic from waterways. The bottles feature a screw cap, a leakproof design, and a silicone carry loop, with prices starting at $42.
A senior reviewer reports that Alexa Plus has become the most reliable smart home assistant she has tested, effectively managing routines, device control, and kitchen tasks across multiple Echo devices. However, its attempts at personal memory features and targeted advertising are inconsistent and frustrating, with frequent intrusive ads on Echo Show displays. Despite improvements in smart home integration, the assistant's personal assistant capabilities remain underdeveloped after a year of use.