Amazon plans Android-powered high-end Fire tablet Kittyhawk at $400

Amazon is pursuing a significant shift in its tablet strategy, planning to release a higher-end Fire tablet next year that would run a standard Android operating system for the first time. The device, code-named Kittyhawk, is expected to cost around $400 and would represent a major departure from the current Fire line, which relies on a heavily customized Fire OS. If realized, the move would signal a broader embrace of the Android ecosystem and a more capable form factor intended to compete with premium tablets while preserving Amazon’s emphasis on content and services.

Industry observers say the plan could broaden the appeal of Amazon tablets by removing a core limitation: app availability and software updates tied to a proprietary version of Android. By adopting a more conventional Android experience, the tablet would better align with other Android devices and could improve access to a wider range of apps and services. Still, some caution remains about the project’s timelines and feasibility. One analyst noted that this would be a substantial shift for a company long anchored in its own software stack, and stressed that the transition could face development and compatibility...