Amazon Unveils Premium Tablets with Alexa+ Assistant

Amazon has introduced a new line of premium tablets, with the top model featuring 128 gigabytes of storage priced at $550. This launch represents a strategic shift under Amazon's devices chief, Panos Panay, as the company transitions from its previous focus on low-cost tablets aimed at promoting its Prime Video, Kindle, music, and e-commerce services.

The new tablets, developed under the code name Kittyhawk, will operate on Android, allowing users access to a wider range of applications compared to the previously used Fire OS, which faced criticism. Additionally, the tablets will integrate Alexa+, an advanced version of Amazon's voice assistant powered by generative AI, requiring an Amazon Prime membership or an Alexa+ subscription for access.

The launch occurs amid a decline in global tablet sales, with Amazon's market share dropping to 1.9% from 8% year-on-year. The new tablets will feature advertising on lock screens, with an option to pay a one-time fee of $20 to remove ads, except for the highest-priced model, which will be ad-free.