Amazon just announced a new line of Alexa tablets. Unlike older Fire tablets, they come with the full Google Play Store. Orders opened on October 8, and prices start at $229.99.
If you’ve been waiting for a new tablet, this is one to check out. If you own an older Amazon Fire tablet, this is the setup that takes its place. Amazon says it’s a new product line, not a rebrand. The tablets run Android, so apps like YouTube, Netflix and Gmail can be downloaded directly from the Google Store.
Three sizes, three prices
The Alexa Tablet 8 has an 8.7-inch screen and costs $229.99. The Alexa Tablet 11 costs $329.99. The top model, the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, has a 12-inch screen and starts at $499.99. A version with a matte anti-glare screen costs $549.99.
For the 12 Pro, Amazon is also selling a Pro Pen for $89.99 and a Pro Keyboard for $149.99.
However, there is a catch to the two smaller models, and that is that they display ads on the lock screen. Removing them costs $20 more, bringing the prices to $249.99 and $349.99.
What you get
All three tablets include Alexa+, Amazon’s AI-powered assistant. You can ask it questions or control smart home gadgets with voice, or tap a button on the screen. A feature called On-Screen Intelligence lets Alexa see what you’re looking at to help. It’s off until you turn it off, and the tablet shows an indicator when it’s active.
Amazon has also built in a reading mode. Opening a book in the Kindle app stops notifications and turns off blue light. Amazon says the battery can last up to 20 hours. The launch comes about a week after Amazon rolled out three new Kindles, the company’s dedicated e-reader.
Amazon says the new tablets will receive software updates for at least four years. It also sells kid-friendly versions of the 8.7-inch and 11-inch models, each with a protective case and one year of Amazon Kids+ included.
Amazon also plans to ship its current Fire tablets in the next month or two. Existing ones will continue to receive security updates, Amazon device chief Panos Panay said.
The tablets will ship on October 14th in the US, Canada and Mexico, with Europe following on October 19th. If you have a Fire tablet, you don’t need to do anything now.