Amazon has alerted some Fire TV and Echo users that it will discontinue one of its smart products, the Fire TV Blaster. The company stated that the device will cease functioning “in the coming weeks.” Initially designed to provide hands-free voice controls for home theaters, the Blaster could operate in conjunction with a Fire TV Stick or smart speaker.

Upon installation, the Fire TV Blaster could control soundbars, adjust volume, and change channels on set-top boxes through Alexa voice commands. It was removed from sale a year ago due to complex setup issues and was succeeded by the more user-friendly Fire TV Cube, offering similar functionalities.

Amazon mentioned that the Fire TV Blaster served its purpose during a transitional phase in the smart home industry but became obsolete with the rise of new technologies and the advancement of other Fire TV products, negating the necessity for a standalone IR blaster.

Current owners of the Blaster have been informed that it will permanently cease operation. In the US, owners have the option to exchange it for a Fire TV Cube at a discounted price. In the UK, purchasers will receive a £34.99 gift card automatically deposited into their accounts.

An email sent to Blaster owners stated, “In the coming weeks, support for the Fire TV Blaster will be discontinued, and the device will stop working.” Amazon has also announced that it will recycle old Fire TV Blasters for free, requiring users to print a shipping label and return the device.

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