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Amazon introduced three new Alexa Tablets this week—8.7-inch, 11-inch, and 12-inch Pro models priced at $229, $329, and $499 respectively. The devices drop Amazon's proprietary Fire OS and custom App Store in favor of a near-stock Android experience with access to the Google Play Store. The 11-inch model includes 8GB of RAM and a 90Hz display at a lower starting price than Apple's budget iPad.
Walmart has spent billions automating its warehouses but is struggling with tasks as simple as removing items from boxes, according to the Wall Street Journal. After testing multiple robotics vendors, Walmart deployed small wheeled robots in over a dozen warehouses, but these machines cannot handle heavier items like bags of dog food and frequently break down. WSJ sources say the engineers needed to maintain the robots cost more than the unskilled warehouse workers they were meant to replace.
In a Fox News interview, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos said artificial intelligence could boost productivity enough that people choose to work fewer days, potentially a three-day workweek. He said this shift could result in a labor shortage as workers opt for more leisure time instead of maintaining current work hours.
Amazon unveiled three new Alexa Tablets—the 8, 11, and 12 Pro—priced from $230 to $500, alongside new Kids' Tablets. The devices mark the first Amazon tablets to support Google Play in addition to Amazon's own app store, and integrate the Alexa+ assistant throughout the interface. Pre-orders are open now, with shipping starting October 14.
Jeff Bezos told Fox News anchor Bret Baier that AI-driven productivity gains could eventually let single incomes support a household and allow some workers to earn enough in three days a week. He argued this would create hiring shortages rather than mass unemployment, as some workers choose to work less or leave jobs.
Amazon announced it will stop requiring non-disclosure agreements when negotiating data center deals with local governments, following Microsoft's similar policy change earlier this year. The move comes amid growing community opposition to AI infrastructure projects, which has produced hundreds of proposed or enacted moratoriums in places ranging from New York to San Francisco.
Govee's Mini Panel Lights are now selling for $99.99 on Amazon, a $50 discount from their regular price. The panels support customizable layouts and animated RGB lighting scenes controlled via app.
Amazon is offering a 24% discount on the XGIMI MoGo 4 projector bundled with its PowerBase Stand, bringing the price down to $417, the lowest price recorded for the set. The projector supports 1080p streaming and offers up to five hours of battery life for portable use.
Amazon has cut the price of Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra by 32%, bringing it down to $949.99 for a limited time. The deal represents one of the steepest discounts seen on the flagship phone since its release.
Amazon is selling the CMF Watch Pro 2 smartwatch for $36, a 27% discount from its usual price. The device includes an AMOLED display, GPS, and Bluetooth calling, and this marks the lowest price it has reached since release.
Users on Reddit report that Amazon's latest base-model Kindles, which feature a flush bezel design, show shadows or visible LED strips around the screen edges, especially in dark mode with brightness turned up. The issue reportedly affects both plastic and aluminum models across all color options. Good e-Reader reports Amazon has acknowledged a manufacturing issue may have caused defects in the current batch, though Amazon declined to give The Verge an on-the-record statement.
In a recent episode of The Vergecast, hosts David Pierce and Nilay Patel examine a wave of new devices—including a high-end Microsoft Surface laptop, an Amazon Android tablet, and Apple's smart home push—that all center around AI assistants. The hosts also discuss the Paramount/Warner Bros Discovery acquisition and its implications for streaming, plus a segment on media regulation.