Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Steve Hogarty

A Fire TV device is being axed by Amazon - here’s what to buy instead

Amazon
The Fire TV Blaster (right) was designed to bridge the gap between old technology and the smart home. Amazon says its served its purpose - (Amazon)

The Fire TV Blaster is a relatively niche accessory launched by Amazon in 2019, designed to control the infrared inputs of older TVs and soundbars using voice commands picked up by Echo speakers. No longer sold by Amazon – the functionality instead now appears in the far more popular Fire TV Cube (£139.99, Amazon.co.uk) – the Fire TV Blaster has officially reached the end of its life.

Speaking to The Independent, an Amazon spokesperson has confirmed it will discontinue support for the standalone IR blaster from 31 January. The tech giant says the gadget was designed to bridge the gap between older televisions and soundbars before the wider adoption of HDMI-CEC technology made such tech redundant. Owners of the Fire TV Blaster in the UK will receive a gift card for £34.99 – the full price of the device – which will automatically be applied to their account within 24 hours.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Why Some Foods Taste Better When You Eat Them With a Plastic Fork
Have you ever noticed that a fast-food salad, a takeout pasta dish, or a slice of cake seems more satisfying when you eat it with a flimsy plastic fork? The food itself has not changed, yet the experience can feel different from eating the same meal with silverware at home.…
Grocery Coupon Guide
Grocery Coupon Guide
Table for 1? Nearly 40 percent of all restaurant visits are solo diners
More people are embracing the idea of taking themselves out on a date in recent years, with one New York City-based influencer telling her viewers: ‘It’s hard for me to want a boyfriend because I take myself on cute solo dates’
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
The Hidden Difference Between “Natural” and “Organic” on Food Labels
Walk down a grocery store aisle, and you will find packages promising everything from natural ingredients to certified organic products. Both labels can make food sound healthier, cleaner, or closer to the way nature intended, but they do not mean the same thing. One generally describes certain characteristics of a…
Grocery Coupon Guide
Grocery Coupon Guide
Is having urine the color of Mountain Dew normal?
A Trump administration doctor says neon yellow urine is normal because of diets consisting entirely of meat and fermented foods. Here’s what experts say
The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Country Music Star Accused of Satanism Rips Online 'Parasites' Pushing a Highly Negative Narrative
Zac Brown rejects satanic claims about his Las Vegas Sphere shows, calling online critics 'parasites' and explaining the personal story behind the imagery. Copy
International Business Times UK
International Business Times UK
Nicki Minaj's Lawyers Reportedly Want To Quit Rapper's 'Unreasonably Difficult' Jingle Ball Lawsuit
Nicki Minaj's lawyers are seeking to withdraw from a $275K Jingle Ball lawsuit, citing irreconcilable differences and a breakdown in communication.
International Business Times UK
International Business Times UK
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play