Amazon
A recent update on Amazon’s developer portal shows that the number of Alexa devices has grown significantly in just one year. An change in phrasing clarifies a drastic jump from 12,000 to 60,000 official Alexa devices. While many of these devices are likely to do the same thing, it makes for a competitive market that provides customers with several options to choose from.
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As each day passes I become increasingly fond of Amazon’s products and services. My initial love for Amazon all began with Prime shipping which gave me access to thousands of items available for 2-day shipping. I reluctantly gave Alexa a shot and was so pleased I went from one Amazon device to several quite rapidly.
In this Echo Dot Diary I’ll be covering the Amazon devices I currently own and how their features have improved my life. While the Alexa ecosystem is large, I tend to gravitate towards an Amazon-made device over one from a third party. This often leads to less headaches and an experience that works as expected.
Spring is the perfect time to get your wardrobe in check for the warm weather to come. Whether you’re needing new shorts, button-down shirts, polos, t-shirts or a lightweight jacket, Amazon’s In-House Brand Goodthread’s has you covered. Recently, the brand has debut very fashionable pieces with affordable prices that would mimic the appearance of high end brands like J.Crew. Head below to find our top picks from Goodthread’s new spring arrivals which offer prices from just $12.
Last month word began to spread that a major change was coming to Amazon Go convenience stores. For the first time since its launch, these autonomous retail storefronts are set to begin accepting cash as payment. This week, that change is officially underway in New York City, with additional locations expected to follow in the coming months. When Amazon Go started its Seattle beta, one of the major concerns that arose from politicians and the like was whether the retail stores would exclude a subset of shoppers that were unable to obtain credit cards. Various cities across the United States have instituted cash-required laws that ensure this potential misstep will not occur. More details below.
Over the past several months, I’ve gone all in on Alexa. At first I was not convinced that Amazon’s assistant was the right fit for my Apple-centric home, thinking it wouldn’t be long until I switched back to (cursing at) Siri. I was wrong. Inexpensive gear and reliable performance have kept me here and I’ve got more items than ever on my Alexa wishlist.
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Amazon has consistently been expanding its same-day delivery program in conjunction with Whole Foods over the last two years. But you may find yourself asking, “What is Prime Now?” That’s the service generally equated with these grocery delivery initiatives that Amazon has been pushing in recent months. Amazon Prime Now lets Prime members in select markets enjoy quick delivery, as fast as one hour, to their homes or other locations. And it’s not just food. It’s every day essentials, tech and much more. Hit the jump to find out how you can take advantage of everything that Amazon Prime Now has to offer you, as an annual subscriber to Amazon’s perks program.
Just last week, Amazon officially rolled out its in-garage delivery service nationwide to 50 different cities and metro areas. Now the online retail giant is partnering with Ford as part of another expansion of the Key by Amazon service. This time, the collaboration is bringing in-car delivery into the mix, allowing you to have packages shipped from Amazon right to your Ford or Lincoln vehicle. Find all of the details about the launch down below.
This morning Amazon has expanded its grocery delivery service to 13 new metro areas. Today’s news comes on the heels of Key by Amazon hitting the mainstream for Prime members in late April. Perks for subscribers to Amazon’s annual delivery service have continued to expand throughout 2019 as delivery coverage hits more of the population across the United States. Amazon’s Whole Foods delivery offers access to “thousands of items” from the store’s inventory, all of which arrive at your doorstep the same day. Head below for more.
Amazon Handmade is the retail giant’s answer to Etsy. It boasts a wide variety of handcrafted goods from “Artisans around the world.” Currently, the Amazon Handmade Spring Refresh section features over 100 items that would look great in any garden, living space, or kitchen. Whether you need to find the perfect Mother’s Day gift or want to add minor touches to your home, this collection of seasonal crafts will have what you’re looking for. Head below to see some of our favorite spring-themed Amazon Handmade gifts.
Amazon does it again with another in-house brand that’s a must-see called Amazing Baby. This new line features essentials such as registry must-haves, swaddles, sleep sacks, gift sets for showers and more. Even better, prices are of course budget-friendly with deals starting at just $10 and Prime shipping available. The new line also features one-of-a-kind prints and were created by artist Lynette Damir. Plus, majority of the new prints are perfect to update a spring or summer nursery. Head below to find our top picks from the new line Amazing Baby.
Buy nowToday Anker has announced the second generation of its USB-C to Lightning cables, officially dubbed Powerline II. If the name sounds familiar, that’s because Anker has been using this moniker to name its popular line of connectivity for quite some time. With support for up to 87W of power at a time, these cables can be used with any of Apple’s in-house chargers and most options on the market today. More details below.
Amazon is known for its various storefronts, which cover everything from fashion and furniture to groceries, thanks to its partnership with Whole Foods. And while there are plenty of ways to shop at Amazon, one perk that you may not be aware of its Bargain Finds page. Welcome to Amazon’s dollar store. With free shipping on every item, whether you have a Prime membership or not, this hub focuses on low-cost products across every category. This includes fashion, tech and even home goods. There’s plenty to find in the Bargain Finds section at Amazon. Head below for more.
If you’re an Amazon Prime member near one of the company’s shipping hubs, it’s likely that you’ve experienced one-day or same-day delivery on some orders. Though not available on all products, a majority of the online retail giant’s offerings are offered with quicker shipping timeframes than the normal two-day delivery. But, in today’s earnings call, the company’s chief financial officer Brian Olsavsky said that Amazon is aiming at replacing Prime two-day delivery with Prime one-day as the default timeframe.
From groceries to pet food, Amazon continues to expand its portfolio of private labels. Here, we’ll be taking a look at the its home collections: Ravenna, Rivet, and Stone & Beam. Whether you’re seeking traditional designs, bold colors, or casual comfort, you’ll come across something that suits your tastes at a reasonable price. Head below to learn more about Amazon’s private label furniture brands and what they have to offer.
$262.50Amazon is offering the QNAP 2-Bay NAS (TS-251+) for $262.47 shipped. Matched at B&H. That’s $36 off the going rate found at retailers like Adorama and is within a couple bucks of Amazon’s historic low. Sporting two bays, a 2.0GHz Quad-Core processor, and 2GB of RAM, this NAS is Plex-ready. QNAP touts its ability to transcode Plex content, helping you eliminate the need for a dedicated desktop. Ports includes 2x Ethernet, 2x USB 3.0, and 2x USB 2.0. Rated 4.2/5 stars.
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AnkerDirect via Amazon is currently offering the Anker PowerPort Mini Dual Port Wall Charger for $8.79 Prime shipped. That’s down from its usual $12 going rate, saving you 27% and dropping the price to the best we’ve seen in some time. Rocking dual 2.4A USB charging ports, this wall adapter also touts a folding design. It’s ideal for travel, as it takes up very little space in your bag and can handle powering your smartphone and more with ease. Rated 4.7/5 stars.
Don’t forget to swing by this week’s roundup for even more discounted Anker accessories.
Today, Kohl’s announced that starting in July, all of its retail locations will be accepting Amazon returns. This is a move from which both parties — and consumers — can benefit. Head below for more details on this recent development, as well as the Kohl’s-Amazon partnership at large.
The new Spider-Man: Far From Home LEGO kits we got a first look at one month ago are finally available for purchase. Best of all, today we’re seeing 20% discounts across all three of the new kits, which are the first price drops we’ve seen. Most notably, Amazon offers the Stark Jet and the Drone Attack for $56 shipped. It’s also available at Walmart and stacks up to a $14 discount. This 504-piece build includes an all-new Spider-Man minifigure alongside the nine-inch long Stark Jet and other figures. You can also bring home Hydro-Man Attack for $32 as well as Molten Man Battle for $24. Head below for even more LEGO deals from $16.
A kitchen is one of the easiest places to get cluttered. From tupperware to kitchen gadgets, it’s hard to always keep them in the right place. That’s why today we’ve found a few useful products to help you keep your kitchen organized and stress free. Even better, Amazon’s kitchen organizers are budget-friendly with price-tags under $20 and can be Prime shipped. So get spring cleaning and head below to find our favorites.
Mother’s Day is less than a month away. (It falls on May 12th this year, to be exact.) If you’re stumped on what to get your dear mom for the occasion, don’t fret. The Amazon Mother’s Day Shop is now open and features a wide range of gift ideas for you to peruse. Head below for a look at the key categories within plus some of our favorite items.
Amazon has announced that it has begun rolling out an enhanced version of its Works With Ring program. Now a variety of different Key by Amazon smart locks from brands like Schlage, Yale, and Kwikset will be compatible with Ring’s home security platform. And Amazon isn’t stopping there, as thousands of Z-Wave accessories are being integrated into the ecosystem as well. Head below for all of the details on the latest development from Amazon’s home security play.
Among the nearly 140 Amazon private labels we’ve covered so far, we’ve focused on home goods and groceries. Now we’re going to take a closer look at Wag, a pet food brand that is owned and distributed by Amazon. While the online retail giant’s Solimo label also produces food for canines and felines, Wag is the lone Amazon-owned entity that is solely focused on feeding pets across the country. Head below to learn more about Wag.
Amazon is currently offering the LEGO Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Action Battle Echo Base Defense for $49.99 shipped. Also available at Walmart for the same price. Normally selling for $60, that saves you $10 and drops the price to a new Amazon all-time low. This is the first price drop we’ve seen. We got our first look at this 504-piece set back in February at Toy Fair. It includes five minifigures and is based around two spring-loaded shooters, which activate various play features in the Hoth-themed build. Head below for more LEGO deals from $7.
Amazon is continuing to expand its grocery aspirations following last week’s notable 20% price reduction on hundreds of items at Whole Foods. Now the online giant is set to expand grocery delivery into a number of new mid-range markets. Amazon also appears primed to be making a major change to its Go grocery store locations as it prepares to accept cash for the first time. While Amazon continues to dabble in a wide range of areas, its focus on groceries is certainly important as it looks to cash in on its Whole Foods investment. Head below for more details on upcoming changes to Amazon Go locations and where grocery delivery is now available.
Update: Available once again at Walmart.
Amazon offers Apple Watch Series 3 42mm for $229 shipped. As a comparison, it typically sells for over $300 and today’s deal is the best out there by $50. This is a match of the best we’ve seen at Amazon for the 42mm model. Apple Watch Series 3 features a built-in GPS sensor, swimproof design, and more. It’s great for keeping track of notifications from your iPhone during workouts.
With your savings, grab a new Sport Loop band for workouts and more. This strap is available in a wide range of colors from $8. If that doesn’t fit the bill, jump over to our roundup for even more alternatives from $5.
Amazon is currently taking 20% off several of the new LEGO Star Wars 20th Anniversary sets starting at $23.99 Prime shipped. One standout for us is The Empire Strikes Back Snowspeeder at $31.99. This is the first price drop we’ve seen period on the newly released kits. This 309-piece build includes three minifigures alongside a collector’s edition Lando Calrissian fig. I just recently picked up the Snowspeeder and have found it to be a nostalgia-inducing build that’s a must for LEGO and Star Wars fans alike. Learn more about the 20th Anniversary Sets in our announcement coverage. Head below for even more discounted LEGO Star Wars kits and other builds from $7.
Amazon now has nearly 140 private labels to its name. We recently explored the lesser-known household brands that are owned and sold by the online retail giant. Now we’re going to shift the focus to food and drink. Truth be told, Amazon’s private label grocery brands are perhaps among the most likely to be easily associated with the retailer, with names such as Wickedly Prime and AmazonFresh. Of course, we’d be remiss if we left out Whole Foods, which was acquired by Amazon in 2017. Head after the jump for a closer look at Amazon’s private label groceries and what they have to offer.
$9Amazon offers the 24-ounce Bubba Straw Envy S Vacuum-Insulated Stainless Steel Tumbler with Island Teal Lid for $8.94 Prime shipped. Regularly around $15, this is a match of its all-time low and is the best available. Vacuum-insulated tumblers like this are perfect for being outside this summer, as it’ll keep your drink cool for hours on end. Bubba claims that this cup can keep drinks cold up to 12 hours and hot up to 6 hours, all without sweating. Rated a stellar 4.7/5 stars.
Now that’s spring, it’s time to switch up the beauty regimen and try new products. Did you know that Amazon has a beauty best-sellers list. Filled with over 100 of its most purchased products and items including hair tools, cleansers, moisturizers and much more. Even better, with a Prime membership these new beauty products will be at your doorstep in just two days. Head below to find our top picks from Amazon’s best-selling beauty list.
Get motivated for your spring workouts with Amazon’s in-house brand Core 10. Similar to brands such as Lululemon, Zella and Athleta, Core 10 features high-quality athletic wear for women. In this line you will find pieces such as supportive sports bras, figure flattering leggings, on-trend tops, jackets and more. Even better, prices start at just $18 and come in sizes from extra small to three extra large. Head below to find the rest of our top picks from Amazon’s Core 10 brand below.
A new report from CNBC details wide-ranging price cuts at Whole Foods starting on Wednesday, April 3rd. Shoppers are expected to save an additional 20% off a number of products, with a heavy focus on “produce, like greens, tomatoes and tropical fruits.” After being acquired by Amazon last year, Whole Foods has been looking to reshape its image from a high-end grocer to a more affordable brand. Additional details can be found below.
As of this writing, Amazon has over 130 private labels to its name and they span a wide range of categories. Here, we’ll be focusing on Amazon’s foray into the household goods space. We already took a look at its grocery brand Solimo, and the vast AmazonBasics line has been featured quite a bit on 9to5Toys already. Head below to learn what the other Amazon private label household brands have available for your perusal.
Amazon is now offering up to 12 months of Nintendo Switch Online for FREE. You will need to be an Amazon Prime member, but providing you have that in order all you have to do is link your Prime account to your Twitch account right here. And then jump over to this landing page to redeem your FREE access. First you claim the 3 months and then after 60 days you can go claim the following 9 months of Switch Online. A year of Switch online is regularly $20. Just remember to manually cancel the subscription as it ends because it will convert into a paid subscription. More details below.
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Shop nowThe Amazon Coachella storefront officially opened this morning with a number of neat benefits for festival goers next month. While the usual Prime perks are available throughout the storefront, you can actually place your order and just pick it up at Coachella. Amazon is highlighting a wide-range of products for this year’s biggest music festival, including everyday necessities, artist content and the latest fashion.
Additionally, Amazon is running a number of contests which are highlighted by a pair of VIP passes to Coachella and $3,000 worth of travel. Hit the jump for more details on the Amazon Coachella storefront and be sure to pick up some gear if you’re headed out to California next month.
Amazon just launched a new in-house skincare line called Belei, which is formulated without sulfates, parabens, or phthalates. Prices start at just $9. The new lines has 12 products to hydrate, brighten, refine and clarify your skin. If you’re looking for a new regimen, Belei is a great choice to help with that this spring. Even better, all Belei products are eligible for free shipping, including unlimited free two-day shipping with Amazon Prime. Find out more about this new launch below. Note: all Belei products are currently 25% off via the on-page coupon; prices below will reflect that.
Today Amazon is expanding its line of Kindle E-Readers with a new, entry-level model that’s a more affordable way to enjoy digital titles. Amazon’s All New Kindle enters with a sub-$100 price tag and comes packed with a notable selection of features like a built-in adjustable front light, the usual multi-week-long battery life and a refreshed form-factor. Head below to see how it stacks up to the rest of the Amazon Kindle lineup.
Whether you’re outfitting your entire home with Echo Dots, or just diving into the world of Alexa, it can be tough to know where to start. After all, Amazon offers nearly 60,000 Alexa skills to choose from. Each one varies in quality and usefulness, making it difficult for the best ones to float to the top. That said, if you’re not using these nifty add-ons, you’re not taking full advantage of your Echo speaker. Head below for the top five Alexa Skills that you should install on your new smart assistant speaker.
Have you heard of the Amazon Treasure Truck? Perhaps you’re wondering, what is this patriotic-colored, app-centric, deals-on-wheels that’s now available in over 30 cities across the world? Well, it’s Amazon’s arguably least-known but coolest perk of being a shopper at the online giant.
The Amazon Treasure Truck delivers some of the best deals out there on hot tech like gaming consoles, smart home gear and more. But you have to know how to find it, and where to find it. Here’s our guide to the Amazon Treasure Truck.
$159Amazon offers the Bose SoundLink Revolve 360-degree Portable Bluetooth Speaker for $159 shipped in various colors. Also at B&H and Dell. That’s good for $40 off the regular going rate, a match of our previous mention and the best offer currently available. This Bluetooth speaker delivers Bose’s iconic sound, 360-degree coverage and up to 12 hours of playback on a single charge. If you’re after an upgraded audio experience, consider going with this popular Bose speaker. Rated 4.4/5 stars.
$13Amazon offers the Hasbro Ouija Board Game for $12.88 Prime shipped. Same at Walmart with in-store pickup, while Best Buy has it for $17. Regularly around $20 at Amazon, this is the lowest price we’ve tracked there. Ask the spirits, if you dare, all of those burning questions to which you’re desperately seeking answers. Just don’t make like several unfortunate Amazon shoppers and accidentally summon demons (or worse). By the way, it’s rated 3.9/5 stars.
Anker Direct is back at Amazon with a new sale focused on smart home gear, various accessories, USB-C hubs and more. Free shipping is available for Prime members or in orders of $25+. Our top pick is the eufy Smart Plug for $13.99. That’s down from the usual $20+ price tag and the best offer currently available. Expand your Alexa or Google Assistant-powered smart home with a Eufy plug. This model can track energy, set schedules and much more. Rated 4/5 stars.
Amazon offers its Prime members a number of services as a part of its annual $119 fee. One of the often overlooked features is Amazon Prime Music, which features over two million songs and comes bundled with your membership. While most consumers are reaching for Apple Music or Spotify these days, Amazon’s in-house music service is worth a look as well. If you’ve ever wondered, “What is Amazon Prime Music?” We’re here to tell you all about it.
It was just over a month ago that Amazon officially announced the launch of its new Scout delivery robots. If you missed that news, Amazon’s robots will initially be accompanied by people, but there isn’t much question that the goal is full automation at some point in the near future.
Now that you’re caught up to speed on that, prepare yourself for the FedEx SameDay Bot. The SameDay Bot is FedEx’s approach to Amazon’s Scout robots, albeit a more utilitarian design that can actually climb steps. The FedEx SameDay Bot is made to make local same-day delivery options more accessible to consumers.
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Back when the Amazon Dash Buttons launched in 2015, the idea of simply pressing a button to reorder routinely purchased home goods seemed novel. In the time since, the entire online shopping scheme has changed. The Echo lineup catapulted voice-based shopping into the norm and the social stigma against buying from online stores has largely gone faded. Now as the four-year anniversary of device’s launch approaches, Amazon has stopped selling its Dash Buttons.
After being teased prior to Black Friday 2018, Amazon Day is officially hitting the mainstream as the online retailer looks to simplify deliveries for Prime members. This morning, Amazon launched its new delivery service that allows Prime subscribers to choose when they’d prefer packages to arrive. The latest perk offers the ability to group multiple parcels together, making deliveries more predictable and easier to plan for.
Amazon Day arrives on the scene today as another notable perk for Prime members. Although complaints have steadily risen that the “two-day” delivery window is often missed, Amazon still has one of the most convenient shipping schemes on the internet today. Head below for more Amazon Day details.
Much like Apple does with its store catalog, Target reviews and curates the items that make it into its retail and online outlets. Target does this to make the shopping experience a high-end one by weeding out options that are of lesser quality. Naturally this approach has prevented it from letting third-parties sell on its website like Amazon and Walmart currently do.
The company has unveiled a solution that keeps customers from being overwhelmed but also allows it compete on some level. It is called Target Plus (displayed in marketing as Target +) and according to the company, third-party offerings will still be curated in an attempt to keep the shopping experience simple.
If you’re getting a bit tired of paying a premium for HomeKit-compatible smart devices, you’re not alone. For years I’ve been all-in on Apple’s ecosystem and until recently HomeKit was an area that thought I’d never switch away from. This all changed when I purchased a bunch of Echo Dots over the holidays and began dabbling with the skills that Alexa wields.
I absolutely love the simplicity offered by Alexa when it comes to voice control, but abhor the moment when I need to launch the Alexa app. In this guide, I’ll show you how I put IFTTT Webhooks to work so I could use iOS Shortcuts with Alexa-compatible devices.
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As Amazon continues to grow, so does its portfolio of in-house brands. It makes sense, after all, for one of the largest retailers in the world to seek more ways to further entrench itself in the everyday lives of consumers. Amazon has obviously made its presence felt in the grocery space with its AmazonFresh delivery service, ownership of the Whole Foods supermarket chain, and regular Subscribe & Save offers that often undercut brick-and-mortar deals. Here, however, we’re going to take a closer look at one of Amazon’s lesser-known endeavors, the Solimo brand, which includes everything from coffee and flavored drinks, to body soap and laundry detergent.