Amazon has announced that its Fire TV Blaster accessory will cease to function from January 31, as the company phases out support. The device, which emits infrared signals to control TVs, soundbars, and satellite boxes, will become unusable after that date.
Customers who purchased the Fire TV Blaster have been notified via email. Amazon stated: 'In the coming weeks, support for Fire TV Blaster will be discontinued, and the device will stop working.' This marks the first time Amazon has rendered a fully functional smart home device inoperable.
To compensate, UK customers will receive a gift card for the full purchase price of £34.99 within 24 hours. They may also return the device to Amazon for recycling. Additionally, Amazon is offering a discount on its Fire TV Cube streaming box as an alternative.
The Fire TV Blaster was discontinued last year after six years on the market. It had a modest rating of 3.8 stars from 3,600 reviews on Amazon. The company noted that newer Fire TV products have reduced the need for a standalone infrared blaster, though the Fire TV Cube lacks an infrared blaster itself.
