Amazon’s new Fire tablets have AI inside
Amazon just announced its new Fire HD 8 tablet, and like many new gadgets in 2024, one of the big new features is the AI-based generation tools. You don't have to buy the new Fire HD 8 to try them out, though; Amazon says they'll work on its Fire HD 10 and Fire Max 11 tablets, too. You may have seen this new AI tool elsewhere Writing Help built into your device's keyboard to help perfect your handwriting. You can get summaries of web pages when you use Amazon Silk browser. And you can create a wallpaper from the index. According to Amazon, the tool will start deploying on "all compatible Fire tablets later this month."
Amazon spokesperson Jackie Burke said in a statement Writing Assist and Wallpaper Creator will hit the Fire Max 11, Fire HD 10, and Fire HD 8. Webpage Overview will hit the Fire Max 11, Fire HD 10, and Fire HD 8. It's also been theorized that Amazon may be releasing an upgraded form of Alexa, for which you'd pay, but that was not mentioned in this announcement.
The new Fire HD 8, if you're interested, has improved specs that seem carried over from the 2022 Fire 8 HD Plus, including 3GB of RAM (up from 2GB a boost that could help with the new AI features) and a 5MP rear camera (up from 2MP). Like the old Fire 8 HD, Amazon claims up to 13 hours of battery life, and you've also got a choice between 32GB or 64GB of storage - expandable via microSD card.
You can order the latest Fire 8 HD now in black, emerald and hibiscus. Technically, the slates start at $99.99, but they're already on sale ahead of Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days, which means you can snag the base model for near half of the price: $54.99.
It's possible Amazon may be following suit with new updated Kindle e-readers soon, since a new entry-level model just showed up for sale by a Spanish retailer with a brighter screen.