Amazon launched its first Kindle Fire tablet in 2011, and the lineup has changed many times over the years. The company dropped Kindle from the name and sold them as Fire tablets, tried its hand at premium models, and largely settled on the idea of cheap tablets running a fork of Android called Fire OS. But now Amazon is launching the biggest update in years. The new Alexa Tablet line of devices are mid-range models with some premium features available on the largest models. They have screen sizes ranging from 8.7 to 12 inches.

Well it was fun while it lasted. Last month xda-developers forum members Pro-me3us unveiled a method for gaining system user privileges on Fire OS devices, giving users more control over the software that runs on their Amazon Fire TV devices and Amazon Fire tablets. Among other things, it allowed users to replace the default home screen and disable certain Amazon apps and services.

Amazon has been selling tablets with a forked version of Android called Fire OS since 2011. The current lineup includes a mix of budget and mid-range devices with starting prices between $60 and $230. But according to Reuters Amazon could launch something different next year: a premium tablet that sells for around $400 and ships with Android rather than Fire OS.

Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids tablet (newest model), ages 3-7. With bright 8" HD screen. Includes ad-free and exclusive content, parental controls and 13-hr battery, 32GB, Blue

Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus tablet, 8” HD Display, 32 GB, 30% faster processor, 3GB RAM, wireless charging, (2022 release), Gray