Amazon today announced Show Mode: a new hands-free Alexa experience for Fire HD 8 and Fire HD 10 tablets that provides full-screen visuals that complement voice responses from Alexa.
Amazon also announced the newest addition to its Fire tablet lineup - the new Fire HD 10 Kids Edition.
Show Mode for Fire Tablets
Show Mode lets you ask Alexa to see trending news, weather, camera feeds, and more-all glanceable whether you're up close or across the room. Also available is the new Show Mode Charging Dock, a docking station for current generation Fire HD 8 and Fire HD 10 tablets that automatically transitions the tablet into Show Mode and holds the device at an adjustable angle while charging.
Using the Show Mode Charging Dock, just ask Alexa to show you a recipe, set a timer, and then announce that dinner's ready through other Echo devices in your home. You can also ask Alexa to start a video call with friends and family, watch a movie or TV show, play your flash briefing or Audible book on your Fire tablet while in the Show Mode Charging Dock; or if you want to move to a different room-just grab the tablet and go.
You can also use Show Mode to play music. Just ask Alexa to play a song, station, or genre and Show Mode displays the song lyrics on your tablet screen.
The Show Mode Charging Dock design is small enough to fit on a kitchen counter, nightstand, or desk and is easy to use for wire-free charging. It comes with a case and adjustable stand-just place your Fire tablet in the case and drop it into the stand; magnets on the case will guide the tablet into position for charging while the stand holds your Fire tablet at an adjustable angle for easy viewing.
As a special introductory offer, Show Mode Charging Dock for Fire HD 8 is $34.99 (regularly $39.99) and is available for pre-order at www.amazon.com. Show Mode Charging Dock for Fire HD 10 is $49.99 (regularly $54.99) and is available for pre-order now. Show Mode Charging Dock will begin shipping on July 12.
Show Mode Charging Dock is also available bundled with a Fire HD 8 tablet starting at $109.98. Additional Show Mode Charging Dock stands and cases will also be available on Amazon.com starting July 12.
Show Mode will be delivered to current generation Fire HD 8 and Fire HD 10 tablets via a free, over-the-air software update, rolling out starting July 2.
New Fire HD 10 Kids Edition
The new Fire HD 10 Kids Edition offers a 10.1" 1080p Full HD display, a quad-core processor, 32 GB of storage with up to 256 GB of expandable storage via a microSD card slot, and up to 10 hours of battery life.
The tablet includes a year of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited, which offers more than 15,000 books, videos, educational apps, and games that have been curated for age-appropriateness, plus access to tens of thousands of hand-selected websites and YouTube videos and world-class parental controls.
The tablet also comes with a kid-proof case available in blue, pink, or yellow, and a two-year worry-free guarantee.
Fire HD 10 Kids Edition includes a year of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited, a subscription service that gives kids ages 3-12 unlimited access to over 15,000 age-appropriate books, videos, educational apps, and games with new titles added regularly. FreeTime Unlimited content can also be downloaded for viewing offline, such as while in the car or on an airplane.
After the first year, Amazon FreeTime Unlimited starts at just $2.99 per month for Prime members and $4.99 per month for customers who are not yet Prime members. The FreeTime Unlimited subscription can be used on Fire tablets, including Fire Kids Edition tablets, Kindle e-readers, Android phones and tablets, and iOS phones and tablets.
The new Fire HD 10 Kids Edition is available for pre-order starting today for $199.99 (a total value of over $319) and starts shipping July 11.
Amazon to buy PillPack in drug push
In related news, Amazon.com said on Thursday it would buy online pharmacy PillPack, a small but significant step into the U.S. healthcare sector.
The deal for PillPack, which organizes and delivers prescription medications, will put it in head-to-head competition against existing drug retailers and distributors such as CVS Health and Walgreens Boots Alliance.
PillPack, which also serves patients with multiple chronic conditions, is authorized to deliver in 49 states.