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Grab Amazon's Fire HD 8 tablet for $50 today
As part of its latest deal of the day, Amazon has discounted the Fire HD 8, pushing the already affordable tablet into impulse purchase territory. At the moment, the usually $80 16GB model is $50, matching its Black Friday price. The 32GB model is also on sale, for $70. That said, you can get away with the 16GB model since the Fire HD 8 includes a microSD slot, allowing you to add up to 400GB of additional storage to the tablet. One thing to keep in mind is that the $50 tablet includes lock-screen ads. If you don't want to deal with those, you'll need to spend a bit more to get the ad-free version -- tap the "Without Special Offers" button on the product page.
Amazon Fire HD tablets now receive Alexa drop-in calls
You can already start calls to Alexa devices from Amazon's tablets, but it's now possible to receive those calls, too. As of December 5th, people with recent Fire HD 8 (2017 and 2018) and Fire HD 10 models can take Drop-In calls and intercom-style Announcements when they're in Show Mode. This will mainly be useful if you have a Show Mode charging dock, which invokes the mode automatically. If you're in that position, though, it could be very helpful -- you could tell your kids it's time for dinner without buying another Echo or (gasp) walking across the house.
Amazon's newest Fire HD 8 tablet offers always-on Alexa
Amazon has offered truly hands-free Alexa on the Fire HD 10 tablet, but not its 8-inch counterpart -- you've had to wake it up first, which isn't much use when you're across the room. The company is taking care of that omission today with an updated Fire HD 8. The new model touts always-on Alexa that lets you bark commands even when the device is asleep, turning it into an impromptu Echo speaker. The battery life drops from last year's 12 hours to 10 hours as a result, a spokesperson told CNET, but you can turn off the always-available feature if that extra running time is valuable.
Amazon's new Fire TV supports picture-in-picture and recording
Amazon is mainly selling the new Fire TV's hardware-dependent features, such as 4K HDR video and Dolby Atmos sound, but there are some key software improvements, too. The online shopping giant has revealed that the device's Fire OS 6 underpinnings run on Android Nougat, enabling app features specific to Google's not-quite-latest platform. You can play picture-in-picture video within apps, so you don't have to disrupt your show while you check settings. There's a framework for time-shifting to pause and rewind live video. And apps can record content, including scheduling that can grab content automatically. This doesn't mean that you'll be ripping video from your favorite streaming service, but it does make it relatively easy for Fire TV apps to include DVR-like functions or capture epic game sessions. Just don't expect these features to reach your older hardware.
Amazon's $150 Fire tablet summons Alexa hands-free
To date, Amazon's devices with hands-free voice control have been decidedly static. At last, though, they can go where you do. The internet shopping giant is launching an updated Fire HD 10, and it's the company's first tablet with hands-free Alexa built-in. If you want to turn down the lights or check the weather, you don't have to tap the screen or wander within earshot of an Echo. This is far from new in the mobile world (just ask anyone familiar with "hey Siri" or "OK Google"), but it's definitely helpful if you want access to Alexa's skills when your tablet is across the room.
Super Bowl 51 will stream for free on Fox Sports Go
The Super Bowl has been streaming for awhile now, but watching the commercials (arguably the best part) has been hit or miss in the past. Remember when all that streamed was the game? Yep, that was pretty terrible. This year, however, Fox Sports has a new plan in place: showing local commercials from some 170 affiliate stations, in addition to the national commercials.
Amazon's next Echo might have a 7-inch touchscreen
Amazon is still riding high on the success of its Echo speakers, and there's only one place to go now that it has a low-cost option like the Echo Dot: to the high end. Accordingly, Bloomberg sources hear that Amazon is working on a "premium" Echo-style speaker whose centerpiece would be a roughly 7-inch touchscreen. The visuals would give you a clearer look at your calendar, the weather and other data where Alexa's voice can't provide a perfect description. It would sound better, too with "high-grade" speakers that sound good regardless of volume levels.
Amazon's Fire TV software is getting a new look soon
Amazon's refreshed Fire TV stick with Alexa-enabled remote started shipping today, and along with the new hardware, we're getting a look at the new Fire TV software update. The new look is said to be a "cinematic" experience, with video trailers and screenshots aplenty. Another change is how it features content from non-Amazon providers, which may increase support from other services on the Fire TV platform.
Amazon's Fire tablet gets a 16GB option and three new colors
At $50, we called Amazon's Fire tablet "incredible value" and a device "that sets a benchmark for budget slates." It was so cheap, in fact, that Amazon tried to sell them like a six-pack of beer. Now, the company is back with some new colors -- magenta, blue and tangerine -- and a 16GB option for those that want to download more than a handful of apps. To get the double storage, however, you'll need to pay an extra $20 over the regular asking price. There's also a new 16GB Kids Edition that costs $120.
Amazon reverses course on encryption for its Fire tablets
It's been only one day since -- in the midst of a national debate over encrypted devices -- Amazon started pushing a new Fire OS 5 to its tablets that ditched support for device encryption. Just yesterday, the company said that was because customers weren't using the feature. Tonight, the company tells Engadget that it will bring the option back in another update that is due to arrive this spring. Given the attention Apple's battle with the FBI has brought to this security feature it seems logical that encryption remains at least available as an option, even on a device intended for casual usage.
Amazon brings its Alexa assistant to first-gen Fire TVs
Now that the 4K Fire TV has taken center stage, Amazon might be forgiven for showing a little less love for its older streaming devices. However, that doesn't appear to be the case, after the online retailer begun seeding a new update that upgrades the original Fire TV to Android 5.1 Lollipop, equips it with Amazon's Alexa voice assistant and improves discovery.
Amazon Fire review: $50 of incredible value
With every passing year, Amazon finds ways to upgrade its Kindle e-readers and Fire tablets while also lowering the cost of entry. The company's Fire HD 6, launched last October, broke the sub-$100 barrier, and yet it now looks relatively expensive in comparison with the new entry-level Fire. At $50, it's pretty much the cheapest tablet money can buy, but don't let that price fool you. Compromises have been made in the race to the bottom, of course, but the pessimistic idiom "you get what you pay for" doesn't really apply here. The new Fire might only be the cost of a night out, but what you're getting in return is a perfectly capable device that sets a benchmark for budget slates.
Amazon-owned Twitch finally overhauls its Fire TV app
You'd think that since Amazon owns Twitch, Fire TV devices would be the lead platform for its apps but that isn't the case. However, the latest update for the streaming service favored by gamers on Bezos' set-top box is pretty significant and mirrors a lot of what's available on the console and mobile apps. It even outdoes them in a few ways. Of course you can watch plenty of live streams and the top games being played, but the update also brings in profile pages so you can check out exactly who those broadcasters are and check out their archived videos while you're at it.
Amazon's thinner Fire HD tablets always have something to watch
Amazon tablets are for content consumption. That's what the company keeps saying and with today's announcement of new two new Fire HD tablets, it's clear that the company that sells you socks and cat food over the internet is doubling down on that message. The new lighter tablets come in eight and 10.1-inch versions and are only 7.7mm thick. But that's only a small part of the news, the tablets and new Fire OS 5 are laser focused on reading, watching and listening. For example, the new tablets now preemptively download Amazon Prime videos based on your video recommendations so when you are offline, you have videos ready to watch. The new Word Runner feature for reading is to help you quickly get through a chapter or a book in record time, And to make sure you have enough room for all those videos, songs and books you'll be consuming the tablets ship with microSD slots for additional storage for content. Content is king at Amazon and these are the devices they've created to deliver it to you.
Amazon's next Fire tablet could look a lot more like Android
While there's talk that Amazon will soon release a $50 6-inch Fire tablet, the company apparently wants to make sure all bases are covered. Well-known leaker Evan Blass has shared an render of an upcoming 10-inch Fire slate, which would become the retailer's biggest to date. While the specifications are unknown, it's clear that the tablet runs Android Lollipop and the UI is a little different from what we've seen before. It signals that the company might be moving away from the carousel of apps and services on existing Fire tablets and embracing a cleaner look and feel for fireOS.
Amazon stops selling the Fire Phone
After roughly a year of dismal sales (and the resulting steep discounts), Amazon's Fire Phone is no more. The internet retailer has confirmed to GeekWire that it sold its remaining stock of the Fire OS-powered smartphone at the end of August. There's no mention of whether or not this is a sign of a sequel -- the more successful Fire TV is also sold out, we'd note -- but you shouldn't count on it. Reports claim that Amazon is chopping both future phones and other hardware projects as a result of the Fire Phone's failure, so this will likely join the annals of one-and-done flops like the HTC First and Microsoft's Kin series.
Amazon's Fire phone coming to the UK as an O2 exclusive
Amazon's usually quick to stock its national sites with any new homegrown hardware, but we were reminded just how long Fire TV has been out in the States last week when the company announced its European launch. Today, we've learnt Amazon's other new(ish) device, the Fire phone, will be making a much more timely appearance in the UK. From right now, you can pre-order it exclusively through O2, with September 30th set as the delivery date. The smartphone, which first landed in the US in late July, has a bunch of unique features like 3D head-tracking, one-handed gesture controls and live, on-device customer support through Mayday. There's also Firefly, an image- and audio-based search engine that can help you find products on Amazon, translate text, extract information from business cards and similar, as well as integrate with other apps like StubHub.
Amazon Fire phone review: a unique device, but you're better off waiting for the sequel
After producing a long line of e-book readers and tablets (not to mention a set-top box), Amazon has its sights set on the smartphone market. But finding success here won't be easy, even for an established tech giant like Amazon. With the Fire phone, the online retailer is coming in as an unproven underdog, hoping to bring iPhone and Android users into its fold. CEO Jeff Bezos says the only way to do that is to differentiate; to wow potential buyers with new features they didn't even realize they needed. These unique offerings include 3D head-tracking, product scanning and fast help from customer service agents.
Amazon's Fire phone has average looks and high aspirations (hands-on)
It was only a matter of time before Amazon launched a smartphone. In the past 10 years, the company's extended its reach from the online realm into physical hardware, and after the addition of the Fire TV recently, the smartphone was the last major device genre it hadn't explored. Amazon's filled that void with the Fire phone, an AT&T-exclusive smartphone that ships in late July for just under $200. CEO Jeff Bezos spent over an hour on stage discussing the new phone's litany of features and how its uniqueness gives it an advantage over most other handsets the Fire phone will compete with. It's true: No other devices have six cameras and quick access to tech support, and features like Firefly and Dynamic Perspective help give the device a flavor of its own.
Amazon Kindle Fire HDX review (8.9-inch): a high-end tablet at a mid-range price
It's worth noting just how far Amazon has come since the early days of the Fire line. With the first generation, it was tough to see the tablet as anything more than a content-delivery device designed to keep users locked into the Kindle ecosystem. It was an uninspired bit of hardware that seemingly arrived off the same factory line as the BlackBerry PlayBook. Granted, Amazon's new HDX tablets still aren't the sexiest devices around, but the company's taken great pains to ensure they're some of the best. That means a stellar screen, some zippy internals and a slimmed-down body. Starting at $379 for the 8.9-inch model, the price has come along for the ride as well. It's hardly expensive, but we've long since stopped using the word "budget" to describe it. Still, Amazon's managed to keep pricing down thanks to its content-centric business model, which assumes you'll continue buying stuff long after you open the box. This comes with some drawbacks, of course -- namely, an ecosystem that's far more closed-off than regular Android would be. But as long as you're stuck with Fire OS, the company's going to do what it can to provide the best experience possible with the addition of some compelling features. Does all that add up to a truly competitive device? Or has Amazon strayed too far from its budget roots?
