Amazon announced today that its voice-activated personal assistant, Amazon Echo, is now available to everyone. Previously, you needed an invitation to buy the device. The Echo uses Amazon’s cloud-based voice service, Alexa, to instantly provide information, answer questions, play music, read the news, and more. You can also use the Echo to control external devices, […]
Amazon Echo now available to everyone Read More
Ever since Apple came out with Siri, I’ve been wanting some kind of stand-alone personal assistant for the house. When Amazon released their Echo, I jumped at the chance to buy it. After several long months of waiting, the device finally arrived. When I opened the black box, the heavy, long, matte black cylinder looked
After we had our Amazon Echo for a little while, my partner decided that in addition to being able to add items to our shopping list using the Echo, it would be nice to tell the device to order them. “Just wait,” I said. “Amazon is in the business of selling things. Sooner or later,
Amazon Echo now allows hands-free reordering Read More
I got an email from Amazon outlining the new features added to their Fire TV with the newly-released OS 1.5 update. The update adds the following features: “Expandable USB storage—Use a connected USB flash drive to expand your Amazon Fire TV storage for downloaded apps and games—this enables you to have more games downloaded for
Amazon Fire TV adds new features with OS 1.5 update Read More
Amazon just announced a new perk for their Prime members – unlimited free storage of photos in the Amazon Cloud Drive. You’ll be able to copy up all the photos from your computer and your mobile devices to one secure location and view them from all your devices. Amazon’s world-class security and protection systems will keep
Amazon gives unlimited photo storage to their Amazon Prime customers Read More
If you had your interest piqued by the Amazon Fire TV that was released earlier this year, but you didn’t want to pay $100 for it, the Amazon Fire TV Stick is for you. It’s only $39, but Amazon Prime members get it for only $19 if they order before 6:00 a.m. (PT) October 29, 2014.
Amazon Fire TV is now on a Stick, and Amazon Prime members can save 50% Read More
Recently, Amazon announced that it would be raising the rates for their Prime membership. It was the first increase in years, and I didn’t think it was too much to bear, because I use Amazon – and free Prime shipping – frequently. Amazon isn’t just increasing the rates to compensate for rising shipping costs; they’re
Amazon Prime Music – Amazon’s newest perk for Prime members Read More
Three years ago, Janet and I posted a dual review of two of Roku’s latest video streaming devices at that time, and we’ve been using those devices ever since. Over the years, I’ve used similar devices like the Apple TV (original model), Boxee Box, Popcorn Hour and WDTV. Of all those devices, my favorite has
Amazon Fire TV review Read More
I just received this email from Amazon: Dear Julie Strietelmeier, We are writing to provide you advance notice that the price of your Prime membership will be increasing. The annual rate will be $99 when your membership renews on December 21, 2014. Even as fuel and transportation costs have increased, the price of Prime has
It’s official, Amazon Prime membership fees are going up Read More
Amazon has just released a new firmware 5.3.4 for their Kindle Paperwhite. Like the previous firmware upgrade, there’s actually no change log attached advising any details 🙁 You can wait to wirelessly receive the upgrade or manually download and install it right now.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite firmware 5.3.4 released Read More
Amazon today released a new firmware for their Kindle Paperwhite. Firmware 5.3.3 can either be downloaded and manually installed or you can wait for it to come over the air if you have your Wi-fi enabled on your Paperwhite. There’s actually no change log on the web and it’s a full OS update (rather than an
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Firmware 5.3.3 released Read More
Amazon might have just released a bunch of new Kindles but they haven’t forgotten the Kindle 3 (Keyboard). Amazon has released a new firmware update for this model. Firmware update 3.4 includes: Improved Font: We’ve improved the reading font to have more contrast and be more crisp. Parental Controls: With the latest software update for Kindle
Kindle 3 (Keyboard) Is Not Gone Nor Forgotten – Firmware 3.4 Read More
Amazon just launched AmazonSupply, which offers a huge range of industrial and business supplies. Categories include: plumbing, materials handling, lab, health & safety, fasteners, power & hand tools, janitorial, power transmission, test/measure/inspect equipment, cutting tools, abrasives & finishing, office supplies, and fleet & vehicle maintenance. It includes free shipping for Amazon Prime members.
AmazonSupply Store Beta Launch Read More
Each day Amazon offers a paid Android application for free through their Appstore. Normally you would visit the Appstore through the dedicated Amazon Appstore app. But even if you don’t have an Android smartphone or tablet (yet), you can still take advantage of Amazon’s Free App of the Day. You don’t need to visit Amazon’s
Quick Tips and Tricks – Save Amazon’s Free Android App of the Day for Later Read More
Gadgeteer reader Sandee Cohen writes in with some potentially good news for Amazon Kindle Keyboard owners: Julie, You might want to write this up as a post. I got a Kindle Keyboard model Christmas 2010. ByNovember 2011, some of the letters on the keyboard had started to fade. (I play a lot of word games
Does your Kindle Keyboard have fading letters? Amazon might send you a free replacement Read More