After years of rumors, Amazon is set to announce its own living room streaming device next week in New York. The device is expected to support video streaming from the company’s own Instant Video library and third party services and may even feature a Bluetooth controller for Android games.
UK Moves to Close Digital Download VAT Loophole
Online shoppers may soon face higher costs thanks to changes to the UK budget. In an attempt to close a VAT loophole for digital download purchases, retailers such as Apple and Amazon will have to calculate tax based on the location of the consumer, not the retailer.
Amazon Prime Membership Rises 25% to $99 Per Year
Amazon has made good on its intention to raise Prime membership fees for U.S. customers, informing members this morning that fees will increase to $99 per year, a 25 percent increase. Even with the program’s higher price, heavy Amazon users will still find value in its free shipping and video features, but those on the fence may soon jump ship.
How to Reset Remaining Chapter and Book Time on Kindle eReaders
Kindle eReaders have a great feature that gives you an estimate of the reading time remaining in a chapter or book. But if you’ve ever left the Kindle idle for a long period of time, these stats can become skewed. Here’s how to reset them using a hidden Kindle setting.
Advertisement
Amazon Prime Membership Costs May Rise in the US by 50 Percent
With the costs of media content and shipping on the rise, Amazon warned last week that it may be forced to raise the cost of its Amazon Prime membership by $20 to $40 in the U.S. this year. With Prime members placing many more orders than their non-member counterparts, however, the warning may simply be a bluff.
Amazon Tempts Kindle Fire HDX Buyers With Interest-Free Payment Plans
Amazon’s Kindle Fire HDX tablets are already relatively affordable, but the company this weekend unveiled a new plan to sell even more devices by offering eligible customers an interest-free payment plan. New Kindle Fire HDX buyers can pay off the device in four equal payments, with no fees other sales tax. But not everyone is eligible, and customers will want to read the terms of the deal before signing up.
Amazon Prime Air Promises 30 Minute Deliveries via Autonomous Drones
Amazon’s promise last month to begin Sunday deliveries suddenly seems far less impressive now that the company has unveiled plans to offer 30 minute deliveries via a fleet of autonomous flying drones. The company says the new program, called Amazon Prime Air, is ready to take off as soon as the FAA allows private companies to operate drones in the US.
3rd Gen Kindle Paperwhite Set to Launch in April with 300 DPI Display
The current Kindle Paperwhite is just 2 months old, but Amazon is already gearing up for the next version of the company’s popular eReader. Reports indicate that Amazon will launch the 3rd Gen Paperwhite next Spring, featuring a sharper screen, lighter chassis, and haptic feedback.
Amazon to Partner with USPS for Sunday Delivery in Select Cities
Amazon announced Monday that customers in New York and Los Angeles will now be able to receive packages on Sundays thanks to a partnership with the U.S. Postal Service. The new strategy will be popular with Prime subscribers and will continue to roll out to other cities in 2014.
Amazon’s Kindle MatchBook Launches with More Than 70,000 Titles
After announcing the program in September, Amazon has just launched Kindle MatchBook, which lets customers who purchase eligible print books add-on the eBook edition for a small fee. It may prove very popular with consumers, but publishers thus far aren’t too happy.