Software is one of the bigger stories of this tablet. That’s because Amazon has finally ditched its self-built Android fork in favor of tried and true full Android 16, including Google Play services. That means that, unlike previous Fire OS tablets that didn’t have access to the Google Play Store, you’ll be able to install any compatible Android app straight from Google Play without issue. It also means that Google’s apps and services come pre-installed out of the box. This should be a welcome change for existing Android device users, though others may see it as pointless clutter.
As you would expect, though, the software experience on this tablet is different than you might get on other Android tablets. Amazon has deeply integrated Alexa+ throughout the operating system, including on the home screen. A “Dynamic Tab” in the top left surfaces suggestions, an “Ask Alexa” bar sits at the bottom right, and a swipe-in gesture triggers On-Screen Intelligence — a…
