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Amazon Will Remotely Disable Fire TV Blaster on January 31

UK owners receive automatic £34.99 credits as Amazon cites obsolescence from HDMI‑CEC and newer Fire TV hardware.

Overview

  • Amazon confirmed the standalone IR accessory will stop functioning after support ends on January 31, with emails to owners notifying them of the shutdown.
  • Coverage notes this is an unusual move for Amazon, marking a rare instance of remotely deactivating a working smart‑home device.
  • UK customers are being credited the full £34.99 purchase price via an automatic gift card within 24 hours, with discounted upgrades offered on the Fire TV Cube.
  • Amazon is providing a free recycling option for returned units, including a printable shipping label.
  • Introduced in 2019 to relay Alexa commands via infrared to older AV gear, the Blaster was retired from sale last year as integrated IR and HDMI‑CEC on newer Fire TV products reduced the need for a separate device.