Latest news with #AmazonDevices


Gizmodo
16 hours ago
- Business
- Gizmodo
The Blink Video Doorbell Is Practically Free, Amazon Seems Determined to Clear Out All Their Stock
Among all the Amazon devices going on sale during Prime Day, the Blink video doorbell wins the award for largest discount. This newly updated version of Blink's smart doorbell now sells for just $29, while its normal price is $69 (that's a massive 57% discount). See at Amazon Amazon seems intent on clearing out as much stock as possible even though the device itself is compact and easy to store. If you're a Prime member—even if you're just using the free trial—you can take advantage of this incredible offer. With summer being a peak time for break-ins, there's never been a better moment to secure your home. The Blink doorbell is a second-generation product with far better improvements than its first. With it, you receive the head-to-toe HD image of anything from a visitor's face to deliveries left on your doorstep. You are protected both daytime and nighttime thanks to infrared night vision. The two-way audio feature lets you communicate face-to-face through the Blink app, so you can greet visitors, leave delivery instructions, or deter unwanted visitors from home. Unlike some other options, including the Ring video doorbell, which often costs significantly more frequently, Blink can provide a complete set of features at a tiny fraction of the price. While Ring is a household name, Blink's product is cheaper and more widely available, which makes it a smart choice if you want to improve the security of your home. The battery life of the Blink doorbell is arguably the most impressive aspect of the device: With the three that are included AA Energizer lithium batteries and the Blink Sync Module, you can enjoy up to two years of uninterrupted usage before replacement of the batteries is required. This amounts to less maintenance and more tranquility. The Sync Module Core that comes in the box assists your doorbell in staying connected and responsive at all times. Installation is easy: you can set it up wire-free in a matter of minutes or connect it to your existing doorbell wiring if that's what you want. If you choose to go wireless, you can repurpose a Blink Mini 2 camera (sold separately) as an indoor chime, or just rely on instant alerts delivered directly to your phone through the Blink app. Security features are improved with edge AI processing where the doorbell quickly identifies people at your doorstep. When you buy the Blink Subscription Plan (separately), you get better alerts each time a person is spotted, in addition to access to Blink Moments which connects several clips into one shareable video. There's a free 30-day trial of the subscription plan right now for Prime Day. At just $29 for Prime members, the Blink Video Doorbell is one of the best Prime Day deals out there. See at Amazon
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Amazon devices are up to 73% off for Prime Day, including TVs, tablets, Kindle e-readers and more
In case you've been napping, Amazon sells more than just books, backpacks, and beauty products; it's also the mothership for a wide array of Amazon-branded gadgets. We're talking TVs, tablets, e-readers, and more. And here's the part worth tuning in for: Prime Day often delivers the steepest discounts of the year on these devices — we're talking up to 73% off. (Yes, really. The Echo Auto is down to just $15, its lowest price ever.) Below, you'll find a curated list of standout Amazon device deals. These aren't just tossed-together bargains — they're products I actually think are worth your money. (Sorry, Echo Spot — I'm just not feeling it.) And when they also happen to be at their best-ever prices? That's what we call a Prime Day win. Looking for more great savings? Be sure to check out Yahoo's Prime Day hub, which will steer you to the latest and greatest deals on everything. Note: Some discounts require an Amazon Prime subscription. And while we continually monitor pricing and availability, prices often change without warning and products sometimes sell out.


CNET
11-06-2025
- Business
- CNET
Beat Tariff Price Hikes With Woot's Amazon Device Deals From as Little as $12
Amazon makes a bunch of CNET's top picks for smart home gadgets, smart speakers and more, but buying them directly at Amazon doesn't always score you a deal. If you're looking to shave off some of the cost, don't skip the sale at Woot happening now. Tariffs are expected to raise prices on all sorts of electronics, so getting ahead of the game is ideal. Woot is an Amazon company, and right now there are a variety of Amazon-made devices marked down with as much as 46%, starting as low as $12. Some items are new, others are open box and a few are factory reconditioned. Though the overall sale runs through June 13, multiple items have already sold out so act quickly to avoid disappointment. If you're looking to secure your space, the refurbished Ring Video Doorbell 3 is a good option and it's down to just $50 right now. There are also outdoor options like this Blink Wired Floodlight Camera for $30 bucks or the Ring Outdoor Stuck Up Cam for $35. You can also nab a brand new 2nd-gen Echo Show 8 smart display for $50. And a new 5th-gen Echo Dot smart speaker will cost you just $54. Once you're set up with smart home stuff galore, you can't go wrong with an additional refurb Amazon smart plug for $12. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. If you're more in the market for entertainment than home security, the sale has got you covered. The Amazon Fire HD 8 for $20 is an absolute steal for a tablet. It's the not the latest version but this refurbished model should still be good for streaming or scrolling. Prefer streaming on your TV? Upgrade your current television with a refurbished Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max for just $30 -- it comes with an Alexa Voice Remote, too. And if you're more of a reader, consider this refurbished Kindle Paperwhite e-reader, now just $60. If you want more savings, see our picks for Amazon deals for under $100 and our smart home deals roundup to get everything you need for your home. Why this deal matters You can get yourself some great tech from Amazon right now at low prices thanks to Woot's generous offers. If you were looking to get a new TV, smart speaker or tablet, it's a great time to shop. We don't anticipate these items going for lower any time soon and Woot sales tend to sell out quickly.


The Verge
10-06-2025
- Business
- The Verge
More than a million people now have Alexa Plus
While a smarter Siri may have been a no-show at WWDC, Alexa Plus, the generative AI-powered overhaul of Amazon's voice assistant, is finally appearing in the wild. No one at The Verge has access yet, but Amazon spokesperson Eric Sveum tells me over a million people now do — up from ' hundreds of thousands ' just last month. And while it was initially a struggle to find anyone who had it, there is now evidence that Alexa Plus is finally out there, based on recent Reddit and Facebook user posts. According to Sveum, Alexa Plus is now being rolled out to customers with Echo smart speakers and displays 'at an increasing pace' following its late March launch, and the company will 'make it even more broadly available over the summer,' he says. The slow rollout is down to Panos Panay's insistence that all Alexa Plus problems be ironed out before the full release, according to a recent profile of the new head of Amazon devices and services in The Wall Street Journal. It reported that 'he knows that getting Alexa+ right is critical because it will be released to millions of people who depend on the technology across multiple devices. It's a very public rollout.' First announced in September 2023, the supercharged Alexa faced more than a year of delays, reportedly in part due to the challenges of imposing the new technology on top of the existing Alexa assistant. It was finally relaunched under Panay last February as an entirely new assistant, and was slated to roll out to US users in the Early Access program in March. When it eventually gets its full release, the new assistant will cost $19.99 a month and be free for Prime members. However, it sounds like it's not fully ready for primetime. Sveum tells me several features announced at the launch event are still not part of the Early Access program. These include the ability to ask Alexa to 'jump to your favorite scene on Fire TV; order groceries hands-free; order delivery through Grubhub; schedule your next spa visit; brainstorm the perfect gift idea; set personalized reminders and Routines for your family; create personalized music — on the fly' and 'Access Alexa+ on browser.' That last one feels big, as personal computers are a place that Alexa has long struggled to gain traction and is somewhere it will need to be to compete with ChatGPT, Gemini, etc. Sveum says that these missing features 'will ship over the coming weeks and months' and that nearly 90 percent of announced features are live in Early Access. These include the big one, a more conversational voice assistant, which I tested briefly at the launch event. Plus, the ability to ask Alexa to remember important details you tell it and recall things from documents you've sent to it (Alexa now has its own email address). Several features announced at the launch event are still not part of the Early Access program. Alexa Plus can also manage your calendar and move music from room to room, says Sveum. It can book you an Uber, find tickets for an upcoming event, and source someone to come fix something via Thumbtack. For smart home control, you can create Alexa Routines by voice, control multiple devices at once, and customize your own smart home widget on Echo Show devices. Smart cooking timers are also live, says Sveum. 'A lot of customers are telling us they love having natural, free-flowing conversations with Alexa. It enables them to complete more complex requests like controlling multiple smart home devices at once, deep dive on music or trending topics,' Sveum says. 'We're also getting lots of positive feedback about how easy and helpful it is to get things done — like coordinating calendars, making reservations, and taking care of weekly meal planning.' There haven't been any formal reviews of Alexa Plus yet (Amazon PR seems to be keeping a tight lid on this one), but one USA Today columnist got in through the Early Access program. He was largely complimentary about the experience, writing he's 'been very pleased – and occasionally quite impressed.' This is also the general vibe on Facebook and Reddit user groups from those with access, but there are clearly some bugs to work out. 'It's early days, but it feels a tiny bit closer to what I have with ChatGPT,' said one Reddit user. Another user agreed, noting they liked how it remembered things they mentioned to it and could recall them. But they did say they weren't happy that Alexa couldn't access some smart temperature sensors that the previous Alexa could. One user said controlling multiple smart home devices at once was impressive, but another said they reverted to regular Alexa as the Plus version couldn't control their smart air fryer. Control of smart home devices is clearly going to be a huge hurdle here. Existing smart voice assistants with their command and control structure can generally be relied upon to do the correct thing (assuming they heard/understood you). However, the transition to these more conversational, intuitive assistants is potentially fraught with danger, especially when it comes to controlling things in your home. Still, I'm very much looking forward to putting it to the test.


Scotsman
04-06-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Scottish charities and schools receive tech donation from Amazon Dunfermline
The Amazon Devices team at the Dunfermline fulfilment centre has donated £10,000 worth of Amazon technology to two Scottish charities and two schools in the area. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The donation, which includes eight Fire TVs and 35 Fire Tablets, was delivered to Safe Harbour, Friends of Queen Margaret Hospital, Lumphinnans Primary School and Lochgelly High School. The donation aims to support these groups with education, healthcare and community wellbeing by providing essential tech resources. Speaking on the donations, General Manager, Jamie Strain, said: Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We are committed to supporting charities and schools across Scotland through donations and volunteering. We hope these devices will have a meaningful impact on the teams, helping students with their learning and supporting the essential work done by these incredible organisations.' Safe Harbour and Amazon Jessie Concannon, an Amazon Devices associate from Dunfermline, added: 'It's fantastic to be part of a company that gives back to the community. The devices will be a great resource for both the students and charities, helping them stay connected and access important digital tools.' Melissa Mann, principal teacher from Lochgelly High School who received three Fire TVs and 15 Fire Tablets, said: Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Having access to Fire Tablets and Fire TVs will allow us to provide better support for the students we teach. These devices will make digital learning more engaging and accessible. We are incredibly grateful for Amazon's continued support and commitment to our community.' Community donations and employee volunteering are just two of the ways Amazon supports the communities where it operates. Amazon co-founded The Big House Multibank in Fife with former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to support to families in need. The Multibank network has now donated more than 7 million surplus goods to over 600,000 families across Scotland, Wales, Greater Manchester, London, Tees Valley and Birmingham. Amazon has supported more than one million students across the UK with free STEM education programmes through Amazon Future Engineer and helps community organisations transport meals and other essentials to families in need through its pro bono logistics programme, Amazon Local Good. Amazon partners with Comic Relief and is the official home of the charity's iconic Red Nose. Together with its employees, customers, and partners, Amazon has raised over £4.8 million to fund projects that support people across the UK, and around the world.