Exclusive – Amazon plans to abandon its home system for the benefit of Android for the next generation of Fire tablets

Amazon is about to make a major change in its range of Fire tablets. Meanwhile, after years of growing criticism from consumers and application developers concerning its home operating system.

As part of an internal known project under the code name “Kittyhawk”. Furthermore, Amazon plans to launch a high -end tablet from the first time under Android next year, according to six sources close to the file. Consequently, Since the introduction of the Fire in 2011. Similarly, Amazon has used an “bifurcated” version of Android, modified to operate as a single operating system.

Amazon has long sought to compete with other equipment manufacturers with cheap tablets. However, devices serving as a gateway to its digital content, such as electronic books, videos and music. For example, The devices were generally sold at cost prices, or even at a loss. Furthermore, But this exclusive – amazon plans abandon search for simplicity has slowed down sales, especially with consumers looking for higher performance.

This multi-year transition project to Android marks a real change of philosophy for the e-commerce giant. In addition, which has long favored its own systems and software rather than those of third parties. Consequently. Nevertheless, Amazon offered its own application shop, forcing developers to create specific versions for Fire tablets, thus limiting the diversity of its catalog.

If the Kittyhawk project is successful. Fire tablets could become much more attractive to users looking for compatibility with the Android ecosystem, according to sources. However, they specify that the project could be delayed or canceled due to financial constraints or other factors.

Amazon refused to comment, declaring not to react to rumors or speculation.

“Consumers have always expressed reluctance because of not having access to the latest versions of Android. certain applications, because Amazon used its own store,” exclusive – amazon plans abandon explains Jitesh Ubrani, analyst at IDC. “It represents more work for developers, at a time when most applications or services are free. »»

Ubrani, however, stresses that Amazon has sold millions of tablets. The firm has agreed to sacrifice the profitability of devices for the benefit of income generated by the associated services. such as the rental of streaming films. But these inexpensive devices are often accompanied by compromise. such as a screen quality or a lower autonomy than that of more expensive models.

Amazon is currently the world’s fourth seller of tablets, with 8 % market share, just behind Lenovo (8.2 %), according to IDC data in the second quarter. Apple and Samsung dominate the sector with 33.1 % and 18.7 % respectively.

A more expensive tablet

The first Amazon tablet on Android. scheduled for next year, will be more expensive than current models, according to sources. One of them exclusive – amazon plans abandon puts forward a price of $ 400, almost double the price of the Max 11 high -end current ($ 230). By way of comparison, iPads range from $ 350 to $ 1,200. Reuters could not obtain additional information on the technical characteristics of the future Amazon tablet. such as screen size, audio quality or storage capacity.

Amazon has historically avoided using third -party software. products, preferring to develop its own services internally or, failing that, acquire a competitor. The Fire Phone smartphone. launched in 2014 under the leadership of Jeff Bezos, did not find its audience, especially because of its dependence on Fire OS and its high price. Amazon finally canceled the device and recorded a loss of $ 170 million.

But the distributor of Seattle seems today more inclined to use the services of its competitors. in particular via its investment in the start-up Anthropic, whose artificial intelligence software exclusive – amazon plans abandon is the basis of the Alexa+ vocal assistant from Amazon and an internal chatbot named Cedric.

According to sources. the new Fire tablet will use the open source version of Android, which avoids any direct coordination with Google and allows extensive customization.

Amazon also plans to launch entry -level tablets operating under its VEGA operating system. based on Linux, already present on certain Fire TV, according to several sources. Ultimately, the entire range should switch to a version of Android.

The internal code name of the FIRE project. “Kittyhawk”, seems to refer to the city of North Carolina where the Wright brothers produced the first motorized flight in 1903. But it is also the name of a star car start-up. supported by Larry Page, co-founder of Google, which burned hundreds of millions of dollars before going bankrupt. Amazon did not wish to comment on the meaning of this code name.