Amazon Plans Android Shift for Fire Tablets with Premium Model

Amazon is planning a major shift in its Fire tablet lineup by adopting the Android operating system for the first time, replacing its long-used proprietary Fire OS, according to multiple sources. This change is part of a multiyear internal project codenamed Kittyhawk and aims to address consumer and developer frustrations with the limited app availability and compatibility issues of the current forked Android system. The new Android-based Fire tablet, expected to launch as early as next year, will target the higher-end market with a price around $400, nearly double the cost of Amazon’s current top-tier Fire Max 11, positioning it as a competitor to Apple’s iPads. Amazon has traditionally sold Fire tablets at or near cost to drive digital content sales, but the revamped approach marks a philosophical change toward offering more versatile, higher-performing devices. Although promising, sources caution the project could be delayed or canceled due to financial or other concerns. Amazon declined to comment on the reports, maintaining its policy of not responding to rumors or speculation.