Amazon employees call on Jeff Bezos to end controversial tech contracts
In the wake of recent protests from Google and Microsoft workers, employees at Amazon are circulating a letter to CEO Jeff Bezos, urging the billionaire to stop selling facial recognition software to law enforcement and remove the big data firm Palantir from Amazon Web Services.
25 genius inventions you don’t need, but will probably want
In a world of convenience and innovation, there are bound to be a few inventions that toe the line between genius and stupidity -- and these Amazon products do just that. From a barbecue in a briefcase to a Viking Drinking Horn, here's what to buy on Amazon
How to play ‘Westworld: The Maze’ on your Amazon Alexa device
With season 2 of Westworld coming to a close, HBO launched its first full-scale Alexa voice skill called Westworld: The Maze. In this interactive game, you will be transported to Westworld, where you must answer questions and riddles to stay alive and get to the center of the maze.
From J.A.R.V.I.S to John Legend, here are our favorite A.I. assistants
From a wise and pragmatic Pontiac Trans Am to a trusted computer aboard the spacecraft Discovery One, the voices of artificial intelligence have solidified their place in pop culture. So, we decided to round up our favorites., concluding that giving a voice to technology subsequently brings it to life.
Alexa reportedly says, ‘Every time I close my eyes, all I see is people dying’
We'll take Amazon Alexa's creepy laugh any day over her latest bizarre antic. On Monday, an Amazon Echo device apparently made an unprompted and terrifying statement. The owner claims that the smart assistant suddenly activated herself and said, "Every time I close my eyes, all I see is people dying."
Amazon may have spilled the beans for Prime Day 2018
The cat's out of the bag, and it's all the owner's fault. On Thursday, online retail giant Amazon may have accidentally let slip when its perennially popular Amazon Prime Day would be in 2o18. Mark your calendars, friends, because as per the banner Amazon posted to its U.K. website, Prime Day will be July 16.
Amazon, JPMorgan, Berkshire Hathaway name new CEO in quest to fix health care
Amazon, JPMorgan, and Berkshire Hathaway are taking the next step in their U.S. employee health care business by naming a new chief executive officer. On Wednesday, the powerhouse trio announced the appointment of Atul Gawande as the new leader of the business, which does not have a name yet.
How to spot fake reviews on Amazon
Amazon houses every product you can imagine -- and thousands of reviews to go with them -- which makes it difficult to tell which reviews are real and which are fake. Lucky for you, we've gathered some helpful hints and suggested a couple of websites that will allow you to decipher the good from the bad.
Bamboo Music is a new Alexa Skill that makes learning music fun for the family
While there's no promise that Bamboo will turn your child into the next Chopin, there's still plenty of reason to teach your tot music from an early age, as research has shown that a music education also boosts learning and memory capabilities. And with the new Bamboo Music, learning music can be fun.
Amazon Prime Wardrobe lets you try on clothes before buying them
Amazon Prime Wardrobe is the latest benefit for being a Prime member. Users can try on and send back clothing at no cost. First announced in June 2017, Amazon Prime Wardrobe is the latest benefit for being a Prime member. Finally, as of June, all Prime members in the United States can try out the service.
No doorman to receive your delivery? With Hub by Amazon, that is not a problem
Meet Hub by Amazon, a container that allows for the storage of packages so that they're not just strewn about a lobby, or worse yet, potentially stolen. Really, the Hubs look just like traditional Amazon lockers, but rather than being located in businesses, are located in apartment complexes.
Mayday! Amazon pulls the plug on Kindle Fire’s popular support feature
It's been five years since we were first introduced to Mayday by none other than the head of Amazon himself, Jeff Bezos. The on-screen customer support feature was hugely popular for Kindle Fire tablet users, but now Amazon announced that the service will be discontinued this month.
Amazon, Microsoft, Uber donate to oppose the California Consumer Privacy Act
Amazon, Microsoft, and Uber have made large contributions to a group attempting to prevent a privacy act from becoming law in California. As per state disclosure records, the three tech giants join a number of other well-known tech firms all working against the proposed California Consumer Privacy Act.
Death Cab for Cutie’s new single ‘Gold Rush’ takes on the rise of Amazon
The Seattle band Death Cab for Cutie has a new album on the way in August, and the first single Gold Rush ponders some of the downsides of luring a tech giant like Amazon to the city and the neighborhoods you've grown to love.
Let the chaos begin! You can finally create your own Alexa Skills
Who says you need to be a developer to develop skills for Amazon Alexa? Certainly not Amazon. On April 19, it launched Alexa Skill Blueprints, heralded as a new and easy way for anyone and everyone to create customized Alexa functions and responses. In June, Amazon made it easier to share Blueprints.
Oprah joins Apple with a multiyear original programming deal
Apple has landed one of the most influential figures in all media, signing a wide-ranging deal with Oprah Winfrey. Few details were announced, but it means Apple is upping the ante in original streaming programming with a big push meant to compete with established streaming content rivals like Amazon and Netflix.
Report: Microsoft is building checkout-less store tech to take on Amazon
Microsoft is reportedly developing technology for checkout-less stores similar to Amazon Go, which lets you simply "grab and go." The computer giant is believed to be talking to Walmart ahead of a possible partnership, though it could also sell the technology to multiple retailers around the world.
Amazon designs an A.I. camera to teach computer vision to developers
On Wednesday, November 29, Amazon Web Services launched AWS DeepLens, a video camera designed to teach developers how to program A.I. functions from stylistic transfers to recognizing a hot dog. And now, on June 14, the DeepLens has been made available for order to folks in the U.S. for $249.
The Amazon Father’s Day Sale discounts Echo, Fire, Kindle, and Cloud products
Amazon is offering discounts on its house brand products for Father's Day, including Amazon Echo Alexa-connected products like Dots, Spots, and more. Fire TV and Fire tablets, Kindles, and Cloud Cams are all on sale.And you can save more buying multiples, such as two Echo Spots or three Cloud Cams.
Here’s how much Amazon Prime costs and how you can get it for cheaper
Besides free shipping, Amazon Prime offers a plethora of exclusive benefits, including access to Prime Video and Twitch. But how much does the service actually cost to use? From discounts if you're a student to limited memberships if you just want to watch videos, here's how to get Amazon Prime for the lowest cost.
Have you tinkered with your Fire TV? You could be at risk for malware infection
If you've messed with some special settings on your Amazon Fire TV device, mainly those meant to be used by developers, you could be either be at risk for Android malware or you could even be infected already. But don't worry too much; there are a few easy ways to make sure you're safe.
Alexa’s basketball clairvoyance now extends to the NBA Finals
Just as she did for March Madness, Amazon's Alexa made a correct prediction about who will come out on top in the NBA Finals. A few months after calling that Villanova University would come out on top a few months ago, Alexa correctly bet on the Golden State Warriors. We'll see what tourney she calls next.
Couple who conned Amazon out of $1.2 million in tech goods get jail time
An Indianapolis couple who stole more than $1 million worth of tech goods from Amazon have each been given almost six years' jail time, while an accomplice received two years. Officials said the stolen items included GoPro cameras, Xboxes, Samsung smartwatches, and Surface tablets.
One British baby’s first word was ‘Alexa,’ and he’s certainly not alone
Amazon's smart assistant is so integrated into our lives that she's now become the first word of a new generation. That's right, friends. When you say Alexa's name more than you say your own, you're likely teaching the newest members of your family who's really boss. One baby's first word was "Alexa."
Amazon is not liable for an exploding hoverboard that burned down a house
A Tennessee judge has ruled in Amazon's favor in a recent liability case. The judge said that Amazon was not responsible for a hoverboard which caught fire and burned down a Nashville family's home.
Amazon takes on the grocery store with Prime Pantry
Rather than a flat rate, Amazon is turning Prime Pantry into yet another monthly service subscription. If you want to take advantage of Prime Pantry, you'll pay $5 each month for unlimited deliveries and free shipping on orders over $40. If you don't hit that $40 minimum, you'll have to pay $2 extra.
4 reasons my love affair with Amazon is fizzling
Whether it be running shoes or garbage bags, if I needed something, I always turned to Amazon. But some things have happened recently that have made me question my love affair with the retail giant. Will I be able to trust the website again?
How Amazon’s robot warehouses swing into action the moment you press ‘buy’
If you’re like us, you probably spend a little too much time on Amazon buying stuff you may or may not need. But what happens after you click the “buy” button? How does Amazon get you your stuff so quickly? We toured a fulfillment center to find out.
Amazon delivery drone may use lights and music when it shows up at your home
Amazon noted in its latest patent that its customers "may be alarmed or confused" when one of its noisy delivery drones approaches their house. With that in mind, the company proposes fitting its drone with lights, speakers, and even a projector to help the flying machine communicate with the customer.
Having trouble keeping up with your meetings? Amazon Alexa can help
Who needs a calendar when you have Alexa? The personal assistant is not only the smartest member of your household, but she's also now the most organized, too. Beginning this week, if you say, "Alexa, rearrange my meeting," she'll ask which event you need edited, and what new time slot you'd like to occupy.
Florida police are using Amazon’s creepy real-time facial-recognition tech
According to documents obtained by the American Civil Liberties Union, Amazon recently sold access to its real-time “Rekognition” facial recognition tech to the Orlando, Florida police department, which could potentially use it as part of its future crime-solving goals.
Tread carefully if you return a lot of products to Amazon
Amazon uses software to highlight suspicious activity on its enormous shopping site, but sometimes it takes action based on the data. A news report this week highlights how a number of customers have had their accounts shut down without warning, apparently for having returned too many items.
If Trump doubles USPS shipping rates for Amazon, will you end up paying?
President Donald Trump is reportedly pushing the USPS to double Amazon's shipping rates. The USPS and Amazon insist that the postal service is making money off the current arrangement, but Trump does not agree.