Amazon is bricking $2,350 Astro robots 10 months after release
Amazon discontinues Astro for Business robots after 10 months, focusing on the home version. Customers get refunds as Amazon aims to enhance the home robot, hinting at generative AI advancements. Concerns arise about Amazon's robotic future.
Read original article
Amazon is discontinuing its Astro for Business robots, priced at $2,350, just 10 months after their release. Originally introduced as a security device for small and medium-sized businesses, Amazon decided to focus on the home version of Astro instead. Customers will receive refunds and credits as Amazon shifts its attention to improving the home robot. The decision to end support for Astro for Business comes as Amazon aims to enhance the home version of the robot. Despite the initial promise of Astro for Business, Amazon has chosen to discontinue it, leaving customers with the option to recycle the devices through Amazon's program. The move reflects Amazon's ongoing efforts to refine its product offerings and prioritize the development of consumer-focused technology. The future of Astro remains uncertain, with Amazon hinting at potential advancements in generative AI for the home version. However, the abrupt discontinuation of Astro for Business raises concerns about the longevity and viability of Amazon's robotic endeavors.
Related
Amazon Is Investigating Perplexity over Claims of Scraping Abuse
Amazon's cloud division investigates Perplexity AI for potential scraping abuse, examining violations of AWS rules by using content from blocked websites. Concerns raised over copyright violations and compliance with AWS terms.
Big Tech's playbook for swallowing the AI industry
Amazon strategically hires Adept AI team to sidestep antitrust issues. Mimicking Microsoft's Inflection move, Amazon's "reverse acquihire" trend absorbs AI startups, like Adept, facing financial struggles. Big Tech adapts to regulatory challenges by emphasizing talent acquisition and tech licensing.
Amazon is bricking its Astro business robots less than a year after launch
Amazon discontinues Astro for Business robots, offering refunds and $300 credit. Shift towards home robotics leads to program end. Workers transition to home robot development. Existing customers encouraged to recycle devices.
Sony kills off recordable Blu-ray for consumer market, B2B to continue
Sony discontinues consumer Blu-ray and optical disk production, focusing on business clients. Shift towards cloud storage due to optical disc limitations. Restructuring for profitability amid declining physical media demand, maintaining corporate and film industry production.
Amazon is bricking $2,350 Astro robots 10 months after release
Amazon discontinues Astro for Business robots, priced at $2,350, after 10 months. Customers get refunds, data deletion by September 25. Amazon shifts focus to home Astro version, urging recycling. Uncertainty looms over Astro's future amid Alexa's development.
3 commentsThe refund makes me wonder, wouldn't it be cheaper for Amazon to discontinue support for the devices but give people the resources to keep using them and running them on their own? There's obviously some other calculus here, it's worth it to them to pay back every penny they took in, because maintaining control of the "product" for some future endeavor is Kore profitable. I wonder what their plans are.
Related
Amazon Is Investigating Perplexity over Claims of Scraping Abuse
Amazon's cloud division investigates Perplexity AI for potential scraping abuse, examining violations of AWS rules by using content from blocked websites. Concerns raised over copyright violations and compliance with AWS terms.
Big Tech's playbook for swallowing the AI industry
Amazon strategically hires Adept AI team to sidestep antitrust issues. Mimicking Microsoft's Inflection move, Amazon's "reverse acquihire" trend absorbs AI startups, like Adept, facing financial struggles. Big Tech adapts to regulatory challenges by emphasizing talent acquisition and tech licensing.
Amazon is bricking its Astro business robots less than a year after launch
Amazon discontinues Astro for Business robots, offering refunds and $300 credit. Shift towards home robotics leads to program end. Workers transition to home robot development. Existing customers encouraged to recycle devices.
Sony kills off recordable Blu-ray for consumer market, B2B to continue
Sony discontinues consumer Blu-ray and optical disk production, focusing on business clients. Shift towards cloud storage due to optical disc limitations. Restructuring for profitability amid declining physical media demand, maintaining corporate and film industry production.
Amazon is bricking $2,350 Astro robots 10 months after release
Amazon discontinues Astro for Business robots, priced at $2,350, after 10 months. Customers get refunds, data deletion by September 25. Amazon shifts focus to home Astro version, urging recycling. Uncertainty looms over Astro's future amid Alexa's development.