SHOPPERS who purchased a Fire TV Stick accessory will be issued an automatic refund in the coming weeks.
The move comes after Amazon announced it will be officially axing the item in favour of an easier to use option.
The retail giant confirmed Fire TV Blaster, designed to link Fire TV Sticks and Echo speakers, will officially stop working “in the coming weeks”.
First launched in 2019, the Fire TV Blaster was created to enable hands-free voice control for home entertainment systems, with users utilising Alexa for a variety of commands.
However, the device was eventually pulled from sale last year following overwhelmingly negative feedback, mostly due to its complex setup process.
On the other hand, Amazon’s Fire TV Cube delivers similar functionality and is far easier to use.
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Now, owners of the Fire TV Blaster have now been informed that the device will soon be rendered unusable, with Amazon offering a refund to UK shoppers in the form a gift card for the full amount of £34.99.
This refund will automatically applied to customer accounts within 24 hours, with Amazon confirming no action is required to get the money.
Meanwhile, Fire TV Blaster owners in the US are being offered a discount on the Fire TV Cube as compensation.
AFTV news in the US shared an email received by Amazon customers relating to the Fire TV Blaster.
“We’re emailing because you purchased a Fire TV Blaster — an accessory for hands-free control of soundbars and TVs when combined with a Fire TV Stick and Echo device,” the email read.
“In the coming weeks, support for the Fire TV Blaster will be discontinued, and the device will stop working.”
In addition to the refund, Amazon has confirmed it will recycle old Fire TV Blasters free of charge.
Customers simply need to print a prepaid shipping label and return the device to the retailer.
