During today’s Amazon 2018 Q1 earnings call, the online shopping behemoth announced it would be raising prices of its annual Prime membership to $119 from the current $99 price point. Is the service still worth it?
If you’re anything like myself, travel these days usually involves hauling a backpack full of your most necessary gear. That likely includes an iPhone or Android device, perhaps a Nintendo Switch, iPad and a pair of Bluetooth headphones. Charging all of that gear away from home requires a bit more planning than say 10 years ago when you were only worried about your phone’s battery life.
I find it crucial to have a solid charging plan every time I leave my home. How many nights am I staying? Which devices am I bringing? Do I need USB-C or not? We’ve rounded up four options below that are a perfect accompaniment to any night away from home.
The Amazon Echo has really taken the world by storm. The smart home hub is finding its way into millions of homes across the world and just today got an update that will make it even more user-friendly. Available now, Amazon is offering an Echo Dot Kids Edition alongside the launch of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited on Alexa.
Six months ago, Amazon launched a new Amazon Key service to allow its delivery staff to unlock your front door and leave packages inside your home while you’re out. It’s today following that up with a variation that will allow access to the trunk of your parked car …
There is nothing more sci-fi than robots. One could argue that building robots that interact with people could be one of the most challenging products to create. Some of the closest things we have to robotic assistants are virtual assistants such as Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa. Even though they have been around for many years, it seems that only recently have consumers started to accept the awkwardness associated with talking to them.
Despite the rough start that virtual assistants have had up to this point, rumor has it that Amazon is working on something much more daunting – the development of physical robots for in-home use.
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Aukey Direct via Amazon offers its 36 LED Outdoor Solar Light for $14.99 Prime shipped. Regularly selling for $25 or more, this is a new Amazon all-time and the best that we’ve seen. These simple LED lights are perfect for outdoor spaces, and thanks to built-in solar panels, there’s no need for batteries. Rated 3.8/5 stars.
Buy Now!This morning, popular accessory-maker Anker has unveiled its new Soundcore Vortex Over-Ear Bluetooth Headphones. While hardly its first foray into wireless audio, this is the first time that it has gone away from the earbud design. In typical Anker fashion, these new headphones blend sleek looks and affordability. More below.
FIBARO via its Amazon storefront offers 9to5 readers an exclusive 20% off The Button. This new Apple HomeKit-enabled wireless controller allows you to control Scenes and any of your other HomeKit products with a sturdy but micro-sized hardware switch. Check out 9to5Mac’s hands-on with The Button and some of FIBARO’s other HomeKit products in the video below.
$12 off/$28ACAlthough they cost $159 and can still be hard to find, there’s a lot to love about Apple’s AirPods. The W1 chip makes it easy to pair with Apple devices and they just work…unless they just fall out of your ears like mine. (You can pop some Earbuddyz on them but then you have to remove to charge creating more of a hassle, lost pieces).
I’ve gone back to just using my Bose QC35s for workouts and everyday music listening but now that summer is coming, I’ve been looking for an AirPods alternative to keep cool while mowing the lawn. There are a ton of garbage wireless headphones out there for $10-$20 that people have sent me but I think I’ve found a really good pair worth your attention. Not only do these earbuds sound good and work much like Apple’s AirPods, but they can also be had for a great price.
MJYUN Bluetooth Truly Wireless Earbuds with Noise Cancelling and USB-C charging Case are $27.99 after using code O8CJ2DTY this weekend only.
Today in his annual shareholder letter, Jeff Bezos announced Amazon’s latest milestone, that the company’s Prime subscription service has managed to lock in over 100 million members. With everything that Prime offers, like free two day shipping, access to a thousands of songs, movies and TV shows, and more, it’s no wonder that Amazon has managed to amass so many members. Those looking to hear from Bezos himself can read the full shareholder letter here.
Amazon is known to be a very helpful resource for parents. One of the best qualities is that you don’t have to leave the house to get what you need and you can get things quickly. Today we are sharing our favorite unique baby items that you can find on Amazon. From toothbrushes to car seat straps, we have found items that will benefit both you and your baby. Better yet, all of the items are budget-friendly and under $15.
Amazon and Best Buy. Two companies I shop at all the time, but two companies that I never thought would partner up. The two technology giants are teaming up to offer the Fire TV Edition, which will be a line of TVs from Toshiba and Insignia that have Fire TV and Alexa built-in. More below.
Etekcity (99% positive feedback from over 191,000) via Amazon offers its Digital 7-Day Light Outlet Timer for $8.99 Prime shipped when promo code DEALET01 is applied during checkout.That’s good for $2 off the regular going rate and $3 less than our previous mention. These simple outlet plugs are perfect for cutting energy costs. Rated 3.8/5 stars.
From $600
Today only, as part of its Gold Box Deals of the Day, Woot via Amazon offers a number of certified refurbished HP Omen gaming computers on sale from $600. Our top pick from the sale is the HP OMEN 17.3-inch Gaming Laptop with 2.8GHz i7/12GB/1TB HDD and an 8GB Radeon RX580 GPU (17-AN012DX) for $849.99 shipped. Originally $1,200, this laptop goes for closer to $1,050 in new condition at retailers like Best Buy now. If you’ve been looking for a powerhouse of a computer in a portable form factor, this is a great option. Rated 4.6/5 stars at Best Buy. Shop the entire sale here.
$100
As of today, Amazon officially owns Ring. In typical fashion, the online giant is already cutting prices. The first generation Ring Doorbell is now priced at $99.99 in various colors. Inventory is still rolling in at Amazon but we’re seeing the price changes already beginning to pop up. The new MSRP returns the Ring Doorbell to its historical Amazon all-time low and around 33% off the previous going rate. Over 29,000 Amazon reviewers have left a 4.1/5 star rating. More details on the acquisition below.
Back in September of last year, Amazon announced one of the latest additions to its line up of Alexa-Enabled devices, deemed the Echo Buttons. And after some short-lived fanfare following their release, the charming buttons seemed to fall out of the limelight. Now, Amazon is looking to breathe some new life into its game show-themed buttons by opening the API so developers can build their own skills and more.
Have you ever wondered why a product ends up being a best seller on Amazon? We have too. Best Sellers explores the good, bad, and strange best sellers on Amazon.
This week’s edition considers the Fintie Apple Pencil cap holder/nib cover. As the name implies, it’s an attachment for your Apple Pencil to help prevent you from losing its cap and for protecting the nib. Watch our brief video walkthrough for a hands-on look.
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Some six months ago, Amazon unveiled its Key system that is designed to make deliveries easier and more secure. But the idea of allowing UPS entry into your home has been met with some resistance. Today, Amazon is introducing a handful of new features and compatibility with eight total locks that are now on the market. Add in expanded availability for this service now totaling 37 cities, and Amazon Key is ready for the big-time.
Alexa seems to be inserting itself everywhere into our lives. You can use an Echo device to change your thermostat, start your car, order an Uber, or turn lights on and off. There are so many things you can do with Alexa, and it’s only expanding.
Today, Amazon announced expansions to its Video API and partnerships with many major TV companies. Soon, you’ll be able to say “Alexa, record Mythbusters” and the show will automatically be set to record on your DVR. Read on for more information.
Since her debut back with the original Echo, Amazon’s Alexa has made her way to just about every device or appliance you can imagine. And with one of the voice assistant’s main skills being control of your smart lights, it’s only natural to combine the two devices. At least that’s what one of Amazon’s latest initiatives intends to do. By working with third-party manufacturers, Amazon hopes to bring more Alexa-packed smart lamps to the market.
AnkerDirect is back again with a new sale at Amazon, this week focusing on chargers and cables. The usual Prime shipping requirements apply here with free delivery on orders of $25+. You’ll need to apply an item-specific promo code on most of today’s offerings.
Our top pick is the Anker QuickCharge 3.0 39W Dual-USB Wall Charger for $16.79 when promo code ANKEBEST is applied during checkout. Typically $24, today’s offer is a 30% savings and the best that we can find. This wall charger is perfect for travel with 39W of power, Quick Charge 3.0 capabilities, and a smart light sensor that denotes charging. Rated 4.4/5 stars by over 740 Amazon customers.
$249Amazon offers the Beats Studio 3 Wireless Headphones for $249 shipped in matte black, blue, red, and white. Also at Best Buy in matte black, blue, red, and white. Normally $349, this is one of the lowest that we’ve tracked and the best available. If you’ve been holding off on Beats’ high-end headphones for a good sale, this is about as good as you’ll get. Rated 4.1/5 stars.
It’s Monday and that means a fresh batch of Anker deals via its Amazon storefront. Our top pick is the 12W USB Car Charger with built-in Lightning cable for $11.89. Free shipping is available for Prime members or in orders of $25 or more. This car charger sports an integrated Lightning cable (so you won’t lose it!) and pushes out 2.4A while in-use. Rated 3.9/5 stars by over 2,400 Amazon customers.
$34
Amazon offers the official Apple iPhone X Silicone Case for $34 shipped in black or pink. Typically $39, this is the first notable discount that we’ve tracked at Amazon and an all-time low there. We’re huge fans of Apple’s official iPhone X cases and Amazon customers have largely agreed with the sentiment.
Amazon is offering the Sphero BB-9E App-Enabled Droid with Trainer for $79.99 shipped. Also at Best Buy. That’s $20 under the regular $100 price tag at Apple, the lowest Amazon has offered it for and the best we can find. Rated 4+ stars.
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Anker has been in the smartphone accessory business for some time now, and not only are the company’s products some of our favorites, they’re also many of the most trusted and highly-rated gear for smartphones. Today, Anker has announced 2 new Qi accessories that are the first in its lineup to bring 7.5W charging to iPhone. And to celebrate, Anker is taking up to 20% off its newly-unviceld chargers.
Amazon has recently collaborated with Sugar & Cloth, which is an award-winning blog by Ashley Rose and it’s your favorite hostess’ dream. The collection is fully stocked with multi-functional and adorable champagne glasses, silverware, serving platters, straws, napkins and much more. All of the pieces in this collection are very on-trend with marble, polka dot, cactus and stripe patterns.
Better yet, the collaboration has prices ranging from $8 for flatware to $33 for marble-inspired serving trays. Plus the packages come in 12 to 36-piece counts. Keep scrolling to find our top picks for your next party.
$45Amazon offers the Philips Hue White A19 Smart Bulb Starter Bundle with HomeKit support for $44.99 shipped. Also available at Best Buy as a part of its Deals of the Day. For comparison, this kit typically holds steady at $70 when it’s not on sale. We’ve seen it hit $50 at Amazon a few times, making today’s offer a new all-time low there. The Philips Hue White Starter Kit is perfect for those looking to dabble in smart home gear without diving in all the way. Rated 4.3/5 stars by over 2,400 Amazon reviewers.
Since Amazon’s acquisition of Twitch, the online retail giant has been giving its Prime members unique benefits for the game streaming website. If you’re a Prime member, you get one free channel subscription (which normally costs a monthly fee), and now Amazon is offering Prime members free games every month through Twitch.
These, so far, aren’t any major AAA titles like DOOM, Call of Duty, or Battlefield, but they should all be fun games none-the-less. And who doesn’t enjoy something free, either? From a peek at the first two months, it looks like Amazon will be providing 5 free games to its Prime subscribers every month, but more on this new promotion below.
Pre-orderAmazon’s Kindle Oasis has always served as a bit of an oddity in 2018. It’s $250 price tag is mighty steep for a modern-day e-Reader. As if paying that type of premium wasn’t enough, Amazon has today introduced an ‘upgraded’ version in Champagne Gold. So if you want to show off your Kindle enthusiasm, be prepared to pay even more for this new model.
Amazon is continuing to pour resources into its Alexa platform as competition heats up in the virtual assistant space. Google Assistant, Siri and others have all made a push for consumers’ dollars and attention over the last year with varying success. And while the other two major players have substantial resources with their smartphone platforms, Amazon’s ever-growing portfolio of content, wide-reaching services and retail make it a strong contender in this space.
Along with the announcement of Alexa calling and messaging on iOS and Android, Amazon appears set to introduce a new host of business-focused features. While Amazon is known as a consumer-facing company, it should come as no surprise that it has interests in the business world as well.
Patozon (99% positive customer feedback) via Amazon is offering the Mpow FM Transmitter for $13.99, but if you checkout with code VG5HYU62 the price drops to just $9.99 Prime shipped. That’s a $4 discount and the lowest we’ve seen it offered at Amazon. You can use the car stereo system to play music from your smartphone through the FM transmitter. Rated 4.6/5 stars by Amazon shoppers.
Amazon offers its second generation Echo Smart Speaker for $84.99 shipped in various colors. Also at B&H, Best Buy and Target. That’s good for $15 off the regular price and a match for the lowest we’ve seen this year. Features include built-in Amazon Alexa support, and new design, and the ability to control your smart home. Rated 4.4/5 stars by nearly 21,000 Amazon reviewers.
Amazon also has its Echo Dot speaker for $39.99 shipped. Also at B&H, Best Buy and Target. You’re saving 20% off the regular going rate, which is the best we’ve tracked this year outside of various promotions with additional requirements. Rated 4.3/5 stars.
Aukey Direct via Amazon is offering its 12000mAh/400A Peak Car Jump Starter and USB Power Bank for $57.99 but if you checkout with code 4ROTYUNC the price will drop to $35.37 shipped. That’s a savings of over $22 and the lowest we’ve seen if offered at Amazon. This 12000mAh power bank can fully recharge an iPhone 4.5 times or an iPad Mini 1.5 times. Rated 4.1/5 stars by Amazon shoppers.
Patozon (99% positive customer feedback) via Amazon is offering the Mpow H5 Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones for $56.99, but if you checkout with code MPRSH5WI the price will drop to just $36.99 shipped. That’s a $20 discount off the regular listing and the lowest we’ve seen for it at Amazon. These headphones feature advanced active noise canceling (ANC) to give you a peaceful experience where ever you travel. Rated 4.5/5 stars and it’s also the #1 new release in its category.
Amazon is discounting a variety of Twelve South Relaxed Leather iPhone X/8/7/Plus Cases down to as little as $37.55. Colors and price vary here depending on the model, but we’re seeing as much 25% off the regular going rate and multiple all-time lows at Amazon. For iPhone X, I’m partial to the beautiful Cognac color, which is marked down to $38.99. Be sure to check out all of the colors and listings available on this Amazon landing page. Simply click on the model you prefer about halfway down to see which colors and deals are available. Twelve South is responsible for some of our favorite iPhone accessories on the market today and Amazon customers have largely agreed with solid ratings across the board.
Amazon is updating its program for lower-income families to receive Prime benefits at a discount. Starting last year, Amazon gave families receiving EBT from the government the ability to use Prime for $5.99/month. This was down from the – at the time – $10.99/month normal Prime cost, which has since been raised to $12.99/month.
Now, Amazon is extending this discount beyond just EBT receivers and now includes Medicaid subscribers. If you’re a member of Medicaid and hold a current card, you will now be able to receive full Prime benefits for just $5.99/month, saving you $7 every month.
OLALA Gadgets via Amazon is offering its S75 7500mAh Slide Power Bank with Apple MFi Lightning & USB Cables for $33.99, but if you checkout with code 7UVD6M4Y the price will drop to only $27.19 shipped. That’s nearly $7 off the regular listing and the lowest we’ve seen for this power bank. It has a unique slide design, the ability to recharge an iPhone 8 almost 3 times over and 2.4A charging ports. Rated 4/5 stars by Amazon shoppers.
In what seems like a flurry of news to start the year, we’re getting details this morning on a possible move by Amazon to get into the banking business. A new Wall Street Journal report claims that the online shopping powerhouse is in early discussions with JP Morgan Chase to introduce a checking account-style product. On the heels of news about Amazon’s health insurance aspirations, it’s hardly a surprise that this type of project is underway.
$769Amazon offers the DJI Mavic Pro drone for $769 shipped. Normally $999, this is the lowest we’ve seen Amazon offer the drone for and just a few dollars above our previous mention. If you’ve been wanting to capture crispy video and photos from an aerial perspective, this is a fantastic option. Rated 4.2/5 stars.
from $13Amazon offers the SanDisk Ultra 64GB USB-C/A Flash Drive for $22.49. You can also pick up the 16GB model for $12.99. For comparison, B&H has the larger capacity for $33 and today’s offer is within $1 of the best that we’ve seen. Easily transfer data from your USB-C-enabled MacBook or Pixelbook with this flash drive. Rated 4.1/5 stars.
Amazon offers its Prime members the GreenWorks 25302 G-MAX 40V Twin Force 20-inch Cordless Lawn Mower for $283.50 shipped. For comparison, it originally sold for $399 but usually goes for around $340 these days. We did see it hit $260 once at Amazon. The GreenWorks 40V lineup offers a solid combination of power and capability. This mower includes a 20-inch deck, dual blades and two batteries plus a charger. Over 2,500 Amazon customers have left a 4.1/5 star rating.
$2Amazon is running a new promotion for its Prime members, offering $2 digital rentals of Oscar-nominated films. Regular up to $6, these recent releases included a number of favorites. The inventory will be refreshed each Thursday and Friday throughout this month. Amazon rentals can be played on a variety of devices, including Apple TV, iOS, Android, Xbox One, PS4 and more. Hit this landing page for this week’s standout titles.
Update 3/6: The price has dropped to $146.95 shipped.
Amazon offers the Philips Somneo Sunrise Wake Up and Sleep Therapy Light $159.99 shipped. That’s good for over $30 off the regular going rate, returns the price to match our previous mention for the all-time low and the best out there. Rated 4/5 stars.
AnkerDirect via Amazon offers its Roav Smart Dual USB Car Charger with iPhone connectivity for $15.99 Prime shipped when promo code F1CHARGE is applied during checkout. That’s a 20% savings off the regular price and the best that we’ve tracked. This isn’t your typical 2.4A car charger, it’s also able to track your vehicle’s built-in battery life and remember via the app where you last parked. Rated 4.1/5 stars.
Aukey Direct via Amazon offers its 3-port USB-C/A Car Charger for $7.40 Prime shipped when promo code 9KYM5X68 is applied during checkout. Regularly $20, today’s offer is a new all-time low by $4. Features include three USB ports, including one USB-C. Charging speeds of up to 2.4A are available with built-in safeguards against excessive current. Rated 4/5 stars.
ICYMI: Anker has launched one of its biggest sales of the year with deals from $7 Prime shipped.
Amazon offers its Fire TV Stick with Alexa for $29.99. Also at Best Buy. That’s good for 25% off the regular going rate and the best available. You can upgrade to the latest 4K model for $49.99, down from its usual price of $70. Also at Best Buy. Free shipping is available direct from Amazon. Rated 4.4/5 stars.
$55
Update: Back in-stock at Walmart.
Amazon offers the Seagate Expansion 2TB Portable External USB 3.0 Hard Drive for $54.99 shipped. Also at Walmart. Usually around $70, today’s offer is a new Amazon all-time low and the best that we can find. This hard drive is perfect for storing photos, videos or extra games on an Xbox One. Rated 4.2/5 stars.
