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Amazon announced a new lineup of tablets called Alexa Tablets, departing from its traditional Fire branding. These devices run full Android with Google Play access and feature a complete redesign focused on hardware quality, with three models announced for release on October 14th. The flagship Alexa Tablet 12 Pro aims to compete with iPad Mini and standard iPads, emphasizing both performance and versatility.
Amazon has introduced the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, a $499 device featuring a 12.3-inch display with optional Nanomatte coating that significantly reduces glare. Unlike its Fire tablet lineup, it runs a full version of Android with access to Google Play, and is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8400 chip with up to 12GB of RAM. The device's aluminum body weighs 550 grams and aims to offer a more premium experience.
Ring has introduced its first smart door lock, which includes a built-in hand crank to recharge the device when its battery runs low. The lock features a fingerprint scanner, a backlit touchscreen keypad, and can be controlled via the Ring app or Alexa voice commands. It fits onto standard single-cylinder deadbolts without extra wiring, connects via Amazon Sidewalk for remote access, and is priced at $249.
Amazon is running a Prime Day lightning deal on the Toshiba M450 Series 43-inch QLED Fire TV, cutting its price from $329.99 to $139.99, a $190 saving. The TV features 4K UHD QLED display with direct-lit LED backlighting, Alexa support, REGZA AI Engine ZR Gen4 processing, and dual Power Audio speakers. Amazon Prime membership is required to access the discount.
Amazon has removed the ability to use Alexa voice commands to control AUX line-in input on several older Echo models, including the Echo Plus (2nd Gen), Echo (3rd and 4th Gen), and Echo Studio (1st Gen). The physical 3.5mm port still works, and users can switch AUX modes through the Alexa app or use Bluetooth instead, but voice commands like 'Alexa, play from line in' no longer function.
Amazon introduced the Ring Smart Lock, which lets users generate emergency power by turning its thumb-turn dial if the battery dies, avoiding the need for a backup key. The $249 device offers fingerprint and keypad unlocking, app and Alexa voice control, and connects via Amazon's Sidewalk network rather than Wi-Fi. It's expected to launch in the US in early 2027 pending FCC approval, in black, silver, and brass finishes.
Amazon's fall Prime Day sale includes discounts on Alexa speakers, Kindles, and Fire tablets, but WIRED notes Amazon raised prices across its device lines at the end of August before applying these markdowns. A WIRED reviewer who has tested Amazon's Alexa speakers since 2012 evaluated the sale items to identify which discounts are genuinely worthwhile versus which merely restore prices closer to pre-hike levels.
Amazon has quietly removed the ability to use Alexa voice commands to play or pause audio coming through the 3.5mm aux input on some older Echo speakers. A Reddit user reported receiving a message from Amazon about the change, and an unnamed spokesperson reportedly confirmed it to Ars Technica, but Amazon gave The Verge no on-record explanation. Control of the aux port through the Alexa app's settings menu reportedly still works.
Retailers are discounting smart home products for Prime Day 2026, including Eufy outdoor security cameras with local hub storage, on-device AI detection, and solar charging, and Amazon's Echo Spot and Echo Show 11 smart speakers and displays. The Eufy cameras support up to 4K resolution and face recognition without requiring a subscription, though AI accuracy and frame rate remain limited.
Amazon has removed Alexa's voice control over the AUX input on several older Echo devices, including the Echo Plus 2nd Gen, Echo 3rd Gen, Echo Studio 1st Gen, and Echo 4th Gen. Commands like "Alexa, play from line in" no longer work, though the physical 3.5 mm AUX ports still function and users can still toggle AUX input manually through the Alexa app.
Amazon has confirmed it has discontinued the ability to use Alexa voice commands to play or pause audio through the 3.5mm aux input on older Echo devices, including the Echo Plus (2nd gen), Echo (3rd gen), Echo (4th gen), and Echo Studio (1st gen). The physical aux connection itself still works, and users can still control playback manually through the Alexa app or use Bluetooth pairing instead.
Amazon has launched its fall Prime Day sale, featuring discounts on Alexa-enabled devices. However, recent price increases across Amazon’s product lines mean that not all deals are equally advantageous, and some may not represent genuine savings. An expert with extensive experience in Amazon devices has analyzed which offers are truly worthwhile for consumers.