Category Archives: Amazon

Amazon Fire Phone Review

By Rich W Woods

This is not the first time I reviewed the Amazon Fire Phone. I reviewed the device when it first came out and, to be honest, I think I was the only one that gave it a good review. No, that would be incorrect. The general consensus of the device at the time was, “I’m sure there are plenty of Amazon fans that will buy it, but it’s not for me.”

It was when the sales rumors started coming in that everyone claimed that they predicted the device’s failure from the start. It was rumored that the Amazon Fire Phone only sold 30,000 units, which I found a bit hard to believe, considering the plethora of people that sought me out looking for tips on how to unlock the device, as it was originally an AT&T exclusive.

I wrote in my original review that AT&T would unlock the device upon request. There was speculation about the claim, so I had it unlocked by AT&T. As so many people were asking for help unlocking their Fire Phones, I ended up selling the device. Nowadays, it goes on sale for around $199 for a day or two, while floating back up to its regular price point of $449 the next day. I caught it on Amazon for $189 and decided to pick up another one. Hell, I liked the thing and I even get a free year of Prime with the purchase, so $89 for an Amazon Fire Phone? I’m in.

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Amazon Echo Review: Siri in your Living Room

By Rich W Woods

On November 26, Amazon quietly introduced the Amazon Echo by simply adding it to their web site. It was available by invitation only (and still is) and to my knowledge, no one received an invitation for almost a month. I received mine on December 24.

The first question one must ask himself is “Why?” Why do I want a voice assistant in the living room? The answer is actually pretty simple. When you need an answer, it’s there. Ever since Apple introduced the iPhone in 2007 and then the iPad in 2010, we seem to have this perception that every new technology should be something that we are constantly using, rather than something that will simply enhance our lives.

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Amazon Echo: Unboxing and First Impressions

By Rich W Woods

On November 6, Amazon quietly announced the Amazon Echo, a Siri machine that sits in your living room. The idea makes sense. We have these voice assistants on our smart phones but does anyone ever use them? When I’m walking down a street in New York City, do I ever see anyone talking to Cortana or Siri? Of course not.

After all, to use Cortana or Siri, you have to have your phone out. You have to press a button on your phone. Once you’re already touching your phone, you may as well just use your phone directly. If you try to use Siri or Cortana or even S Voice, there is a really good chance that they are going to say that they can’t understand you or they can’t do what you want them to. After trying it a few times, you get to a point where you just do it yourself.

Note that I’m talking about Siri, Cortant, and S Voice. Moto is always listening so it does provide some useful tasks. In fact, Siri is sometimes listening. assuming the iPhone is charging.

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Amazon Fire TV Stick Review: A Great Value

By Rich W Woods

Amazon announced the Fire TV Stick on October 27. They made it immediately available for preorder for $39.99, making them available in mid-November. If you are an Amazon Prime member, then for two days, you had the opportunity to purchase the Amazon Fire TV Stick for just $20.

I was having a few beers a few days ago and telling the bartender about a show that I’ve been watching on Netflix. She told me that she doesn’t watch Netflix because she doesn’t like watching movies on her laptop. It really hadn’t occurred to me that some people still just aren’t aware of the many streaming solutions that are available.

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Amazon Fire TV Stick vs Roku Streaming Stick

By Rich W Woods

It would seem as though the day of the set top box is in our rear view mirrors, or close to it. The Amazon Fire TV Stick is the third mainstream dongle we’ve seen. A trend started by the Chromecast. Both the Amazon Fire TV Stick and the Roku Streaming Stick essentially do the same things that the Amazon Fire TV and the Roku 3 do, respectively, with the exception of the ethernet port in the box. They’re much cheaper as well.

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Amazon Fire TV Stick: First Impressions

By Rich W Woods

I’ve never used the Amazon Fire TV before. I have, however, used just about everything else that exists to stream TV. That includes the Roku box, Apple TV, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii, Chromecast, and even an iPad with a lightning to HDMI adapter. Just like the Roku Streaming Stick generally does the same thing as a Roku box, the Amazon Fire TV Stick generally does what the Amazon Fore TV does without the voice search.

One thing is clear about the Amazon Fire TV Stick. It’s a great value. It’s priced at $39, right in between a $35 Chromecast and a $50 Roku Streaming Stick. If you got it within the first two days it was announced, it cost $20. You can’t beat that.

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Amazon Fire Phone: User Review

By Rich W Woods

The Amazon Fire Phone is the most well designed first generation phone I have ever seen. It is really something that you would expect to come out of Apple. How well designed a phone is is a matter of opinion. Comparing it to first generation models is a clear cut case.

That being said, this is my review of the Amazon Fire Phone:

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