Amazon.com Inc. is narrowing its hardware ambitions to low-cost gadgets such as tablet computers and smart TV plug-ins, one year after its Fire smartphone flopped and sent the company’s stock tumbling.
The Web retailer unveiled seven products on Thursday that will be available for the holiday shopping season, including a voice-activated wand that makes a television double as a personal assistant. The Seattle-based company also announced a 7-inch tablet that sells for less than $50, which is available in bulk-discounted six-packs, like cans of beer.