Amazon’s Echo Show devices make it pretty easy to participate in video calls between friends and family members. But try doing that with a kid and see how long it takes for their attention to start wandering.

So Amazon designed a new device called the Amazon Glow that’s basically a video conferencing tool for kids with short attention spans. It has an 8 inch display and camera for video calls. But it also has a built-in projector for beaming interactive games, storybooks, or other visuals onto a flat surface in front of the device. First launched as a Day 1 Edition device last fall, the Amazon Glow is now available for purchase without an invitation.

Prices now start at $300, which represents a $50 increase, but I guess that’s the price you pay for not basically being a beta tester.

The Amazon Glow device comes with a 1-year subscription to Amazon Kids+ for access to a selection of games, eBooks, and “visual arts activities,” and for an extra $30 you can get set of 7 Tangram Bits, which are physical puzzle pieces kids can use to complete tasks on the projected display.

The Amazon Glow measures 14.2″ x 5.6″ x 5.4″ and has an 8 inch, 1280 x 800 pixel touchscreen LCD display, a 720p “profile camera” for video calls, and a 10W mono speaker. It supports WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0.

The projector creates a projected 19.2 inch touch-sensitive area thanks to a 720p projector camera which can monitor hand and finger motions.

If this seems like a product out of Amazon’s throw-things-against-the-wall-and-see-what-sticks department, that’s probably about right. Maybe the Amazon Glow will be the next big thing in kid-friendly tech for the home. But I wouldn’t be surprised if it goes the way of the Amazon Echo Look smart fashion camera device within the next few years.

The fact that it graduated from a Day 1 Edition device at all, though, suggests that Amazon figures there’s at least enough interest in this device to try selling it to folks who didn’t request an invite.

press releases (1)(2)

This article was first published September 28, 2022 and most recently updated March 29, 2022. 

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4 replies on “Amazon Glow is a kid-friendly video calling device with a projector”

  1. This seems a little like the Osmo kid toy that has a mirror for playing augmented reality games – including Tangram. The Osmo is basically a plastic stand and a mirror, but the software and the physical pieces is what makes it work.

    I don’t think it sells well at $300, especially if you have to pay more for pieces like the Tangram thing. If they use the guts of their cheapest Fire tablets, they could probably sell a good number at $100-$125. Better yet, make it modular so you can put the cheapest Fire tablet in and take it out. Sell the module for an extra $80 ($59 on Prime Day) and you have a winner

  2. very interesting but add object recognition on table.
    for example chess play trought internet. my figures in my other is showing on table

  3. If properly implemented this would be great for educational purposes. If they added “stylus” support and the ability to for the other person to see the projected area, teachers could give kids exercises and such.

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