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History of video games/Platforms/Amazon Glow

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History edit

Development edit

The Glow was developed by the "Grand Challenge" lab of Amazon.[1] Development began with a circa 2017 concept video calling device with a playful laser pointer.[2][Note 1]

Launch edit

The Glow had a limited release in September of 2021 for 249.99, then saw a release to the general public in May 2022 at a higher price of $299.99 USD.[3][4]

Around October 4th, 2022 Amazon Prime members were able to buy the Glow for $149.99 USD.[5][6]

Discontinuation edit

Around October 5th, 2022 support for the Glow was announced to end on December 31, 2022.[7] Customers were issued refunds for their purchase.[8] The discontinuation was compared by Ars Technica to the Fire Phone.[9] The Verge speculated that sales of the Glow may have been poor.[10]

Technology edit

Output edit

The Glow used a projector in conjunction with a conventional display.[11][12] The conventional display was 8 inches (200 mm) across and positioned in the stand of the downward facing projector.[13]

Input edit

The Glow had a built in camera.[14] The Glow had a scanning function, allowing it to incorporate existing arbitrary toys and objects into its software.[15] This could be seen as an unusual take on the "Toys to Life" genre, as such concepts of the era typically required specialty toys.

Software edit

The Glow was dependent on cloud services to function.[8]

Games edit

Notes edit

The Amazon Glow was a different device than the Amazon Echo Glow.

References edit

  1. ↑ Soper, Spencer; Day, Matt (4 October 2022). "Amazon Discontinues Glow Video-Calling Device for Kids" (in en). Bloomberg.com. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-10-04/amazon-is-killing-the-glow-calling-device-for-kids. 
  2. ↑ Roettgers, Janko (May 25, 2022). "Amazon Glow: A video calling device for kids, explained - Protocol" (in en). www.protocol.com. https://www.protocol.com/entertainment/amazon-glow-development-story. 
  3. ↑ Mlot, Stephanie (October 5, 2022). "Amazon Axes Kid-Focused Glow Smart Display" (in en). PCMAG. https://www.pcmag.com/news/amazon-axes-kid-focused-glow-smart-display. 
  4. ↑ Palmer, Annie (October 4, 2022). "Amazon axes Glow video-calling device for kids" (in en). CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/04/amazon-axes-glow-video-calling-device-for-kids.html. 
  5. ↑ Velasco, John (October 4, 2022). "Amazon Glow Interactive Projector For Kids Just Got Its Biggest Discount Ever". finance.yahoo.com. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/amazon-glow-interactive-projector-kids-184702975.html. 
  6. ↑ Moon, Mariella (October 5, 2022). "Amazon is killing its interactive Glow video device for kids". Engadget. https://www.engadget.com/amazon-discontinue-interactive-glow-video-device-for-kids-094054631.html. 
  7. ↑ Perez, Sarah (5 October 2022). "Amazon kills its interactive, video-calling device, Amazon Glow, launched last year". TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2022/10/05/amazon-kills-its-interactive-video-calling-device-amazon-glow-launched-last-year/. 
  8. ↑ a b Tuohy, Jennifer Pattison (20 October 2022). "Amazon Glow will glow no longer". The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2022/10/20/23415167/amazon-glow-support-discontinued-refund. 
  9. ↑ Harding, Scharon (5 October 2022). "Amazon’s Glow goes the way of the Fire Phone and dodo" (in en-us). Ars Technica. https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/10/amazon-discontinues-glow-video-calling-gadget-for-kids-after-one-year/. 
  10. ↑ Peters, Jay (4 October 2022). "Amazon gives up on the Glow, its kid-focused video calling device". The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2022/10/4/23388233/amazon-glow-discontinued. 
  11. ↑ Griffith, Eric. "Amazon Glow Review" (in en). PCMAG. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/amazon-glow. 
  12. ↑ Musil, Steven (October 4, 2022). "Amazon Pulls the Plug on Kids' Interactive Gadget Glow" (in en). CNET. https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/amazon-pulls-the-plug-on-kids-interactive-gadget-glow/. 
  13. ↑ Hurler, Kevin (5 October 2022). "Amazon Kills Glow, Its Ugly Video Calling Gadget For Kids" (in en). Gizmodo. https://gizmodo.com/amazon-kills-glow-ugly-video-call-kids-device-1849618587. 
  14. ↑ Carey, Bridget (March 29, 2022). "Amazon Glow Review: A Better Way for Kids to Video Chat with Family" (in en). CNET. https://www.cnet.com/home/smart-home/amazon-glow-review-connects-family-does-what-zoom-and-facetime-cant-do-and-its-wonderful/. 
  15. ↑ Randazza, Janelle. "Amazon Glow Review: A smart device for kids - Reviewed". www.reviewed.com. https://www.reviewed.com/parenting/content/amazon-glow-review. 
  16. ↑ Hollister, Sean (28 September 2021). "Amazon Glow is a video chat gadget with built-in games to keep kids engaged". The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/28/22695707/amazon-glow-video-chat-kids-games-price-features-release-date. 
  17. ↑ Prospero, Mike (29 March 2022). "Amazon Glow review: Pandemic playtime" (in en). Tom's Guide. https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/amazon-glow. 

Reference Notes edit

  1. ↑ The Protocol story states the concept dated "nearly five years ago", and the story was published on May 25, 2022 - thus the concept is dated circa 2017.
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