Amazon has unveiled a major artificial intelligence upgrade to its popular voice assistant Amazon Echo, introducing a new version called Alexa+ that aims to make interactions more conversational and intuitive. The upgraded assistant, set to roll out across the UK, is designed to move beyond basic commands by enabling more natural, chat-like conversations. According to…
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has confirmed that drone strikes damaged three of its facilities in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, causing power outages and service disruptions amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. The incidents occurred on Sunday morning following US and Israeli military strikes on Iran. Initially, AWS reported that unidentified “objects” had…
Amazon has overtaken Walmart to become the world’s largest company by sales, ending Walmart’s 13-year run at the top. The technology and retail giant reported $717bn in revenue for 2025, edging past Walmart’s $713bn, according to figures released by the US retailer on Thursday. While both companies compete heavily in consumer retail, Amazon’s faster growth…
Amazon’s smart doorbell subsidiary Ring has ended a planned partnership with U.S. surveillance firm Flock Safety, following mounting criticism over privacy and surveillance concerns. The agreement, announced in October, would have enabled law enforcement agencies using Flock’s camera network to request access to video footage captured by Ring devices, provided customers gave permission. The collaboration…
Amazon is winding down its standalone grocery store experiment, announcing plans to close all Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go locations across the United States as it sharpens its focus on the Whole Foods brand. The move will affect roughly 70 physical stores and represents another reset of Amazon’s in-person retail strategy. In a statement released…
Global parcel delivery firm UPS has announced plans to cut up to 30,000 jobs this year as it continues to scale back business with Amazon, its largest customer. The company said the reductions will be carried out mainly through voluntary buyouts for full-time drivers and by leaving vacant positions unfilled, rather than through widespread layoffs….
Amazon has inadvertently confirmed another wave of job cuts after an internal email referencing ongoing layoffs was mistakenly shared with employees. The draft message, written by Colleen Aubrey, a senior vice president at Amazon Web Services (AWS), was attached to a calendar invitation sent late Tuesday by an executive assistant. The invitation, which reached a…
Amazon has begun automatically upgrading Prime members in the United States to its new AI-powered assistant, Alexa+, sparking backlash from users who say they did not request the change. Reports from Reddit and other online forums indicate that the upgrade is being rolled out without an opt-in option. Several users claim their devices were updated…
Amazon has announced an update to its Fire TV operating system, introducing a cleaner user interface, expanded customization options and deeper integration of its new Alexa+ experience. The redesign does not overhaul Fire TV entirely, but it introduces noticeable visual and functional changes aimed at making the platform feel faster and more modern. Rounded corners…
Amazon has prevented more than 1,800 job applications from individuals believed to be linked to North Korea, according to the company’s chief security officer. Stephen Schmidt said the applicants attempted to secure remote IT roles using stolen or fabricated identities, with the aim of earning salaries that could be redirected to support the North Korean…
Amazon has removed an artificial intelligence-generated video recap of its TV series Fallout after viewers flagged multiple factual errors in the summary. The recap was part of a trial feature Amazon introduced in November on its Prime Video platform, describing it as an experimental tool designed to help audiences quickly catch up on selected shows….
Amazon’s decision to lay off 14,000 employees was not financially motivated, according to chief executive Andy Jassy, who described the move as a necessary step to preserve the company’s culture and agility. Speaking during Amazon’s quarterly earnings call on Thursday, Jassy said the layoffs were “not really financially driven, and it’s not even really AI…
Amazon is reportedly preparing to lay off as many as 30,000 corporate employees, marking one of the largest workforce reductions in its history. The cuts, expected to begin as early as tomorrow, could affect nearly 10% of the company’s corporate staff, according to reports. News agency Reuters first reported the development, while CNN said it…
Amazon has introduced a prototype of its latest innovation, AI-powered smart glasses called Amelia, designed specifically to support its delivery drivers. The wearable technology, which comes with a camera and built-in display, pairs with a waistcoat featuring a button that allows drivers to capture photos of completed deliveries. According to Beryl Tomay, Amazon’s Vice President…
Amazon has agreed to pay $2.5 billion to settle a lawsuit brought by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which accused the tech giant of tricking millions of customers into enrolling in its Prime membership program and making cancellations unnecessarily difficult. Under the proposed agreement, $1.5 billion will be set aside for refunds to customers…
Amazon is ending one of its long-standing perks that allowed users outside the same household to share Prime benefits for free, a move that could impact hundreds of thousands of subscribers. Starting October 1, the company will officially shut down its “Prime Invitee” program, which let Prime members extend their free shipping benefit to friends…
Amazon’s Project Kuiper has reached a significant milestone in its mission to provide high-speed broadband from space, achieving download speeds of over 1.2 gigabits per second during a live demonstration. The test, conducted using Kuiper’s enterprise-grade customer terminal, recorded speeds of 1,289 megabits per second on Ookla’s Speedtest platform. Rajeev Badyal, head of Project Kuiper,…
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has told employees to prepare for major changes driven by artificial intelligence, predicting that the company’s corporate workforce will shrink over the coming years as AI tools are deployed more widely across the business. In an internal memo shared on Tuesday, Jassy encouraged staff to be “curious about AI” and to…
The New York Times has entered into a multi-year agreement with Amazon to license its newsroom content for artificial intelligence (AI) training, marking a major shift in the media giant’s approach to generative AI partnerships. Announced Thursday, the deal grants Amazon access to decades of content from the Times, including material from The Athletic and…
A Lagos State High Court has ruled that entertainment giant Amazon and the producers of the controversial movie Gangs of Lagos must issue a public apology to the Isale Eko Descendants Union (IDU) for misrepresenting their cultural heritage and traditions. The ruling, delivered by Justice Idowu Alakija on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, also upheld a…
Amazon has unveiled Alexa+, an upgraded version of its popular voice assistant, designed to integrate advanced artificial intelligence capabilities. The new service, introduced on Wednesday, promises enhanced conversational abilities, personalized responses, and task automation, such as booking tickets and managing daily routines. Priced at $19.99 per month, Alexa+ will be offered free to Amazon Prime…
Amazon MGM Studios is set to take full creative control of the James Bond franchise under a new deal announced on Thursday. The agreement marks a major shift for the iconic spy series, as longtime producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli step back from overseeing future productions. Wilson and Broccoli, who have been instrumental…
Amazon has launched a budget-friendly shopping outlet called Haul, offering U.S. customers products capped at $20 (around £15.79) as it takes aim at popular low-cost retailers Temu and Shein. Haul, accessible via the Amazon Shopping app, introduces a mobile-only experience featuring heavily discounted items with delivery times of up to two weeks. Promising “crazy low…
Seattle, Washington – Amazon has announced significant changes to its benefits package for US warehouse and transportation workers. In addition to increasing wages by at least $1.50 per hour, the company will now offer employees a free Amazon Prime membership. The decision comes amid a tight labour market for logistics workers and increased online shopping….
MrBeast’s production company and Amazon are facing a proposed class-action lawsuit filed by five contestants who participated in the reality show “Beast Games.” The lawsuit alleges that the contestants were subjected to unsafe working conditions, denied pay, and faced a culture of misogyny and sexism. The 54-page document details allegations of unreasonable and unsafe conditions…
Amazon has announced that its corporate employees will be required to return to the office five days a week, beginning January 2, 2025, marking a significant shift from its current hybrid work policy. The company’s existing arrangement, introduced during the pandemic, allows employees to work in the office only three days per week. Amazon CEO…
The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), the parent company of TNT, are on a collision course toward a legal battle over broadcasting rights, setting the stage for a high-stakes conflict in the sports media industry. On Wednesday, the NBA rejected WBD’s attempt to match Amazon’s $1.8 billion annual offer for broadcasting…
Italian financial authorities have seized €121 million from Amazon’s Milan branch following accusations of tax fraud and worker exploitation. The investigation, led by the Milan prosecutor’s office, uncovered an alleged illegal subcontracting scheme, according to the state-run ANSA news agency. The probe centers on the use of “labour reservoirs,” a practice where large companies allegedly…
As Amazon celebrates its 30th anniversary, its scale and influence are nothing short of astonishing. The company, which started as an online bookstore in 1994, now operates across multiple sectors, from retail and streaming to cloud computing and smart home technology. A visit to one of Amazon’s massive warehouses, such as the one in Dartford,…
More than 15,000 Amazon contract drivers filed arbitration claims against the tech giant, alleging that they were misclassified as independent contractors rather than employees, thereby denying them minimum wage and overtime rights. This legal action highlights a significant issue within the growing gig economy, where millions of workers use platforms like Lyft, Uber, DoorDash, and…
Taylor Swift continues her reign over the music industry as her latest album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” shatters streaming records across major platforms including Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Music. Released on Friday, Swift’s 11th studio album achieved an unprecedented milestone, garnering 300 million streams in a single day on Spotify alone, establishing itself as…
Amazon, the technology behemoth, has announced significant job cuts affecting hundreds of employees in its cloud computing division, Amazon Web Services (AWS). Despite AWS’s substantial growth, accounting for 14% of Amazon’s total revenue according to its latest financial report, the company has decided to streamline its workforce. The restructuring comes amid shifts in Amazon’s strategy,…
Amazon’s ambitious venture into cashier-less technology, once hailed as the future of retail, faces a setback as the company withdraws its “Just Walk Out” system from US Amazon Fresh grocery stores. The move marks a significant shift from the grand promises of automated, frictionless checkout. Instead of the cashier-less technology, Amazon is introducing Dash Cart…
Amazon has unveiled a new feature that enables users to sign up for its palm recognition service directly from their mobile phones, marking a significant expansion of its Amazon One program. The introduction of the Amazon One app, compatible with both iOS and Android devices, empowers users to enrol in the palm recognition service conveniently…
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has initiated an investigation into Amazon and other retailers following allegations of marketing and selling illegal electronic devices designed to disrupt wireless signals sent by other electronics. This inquiry comes after NBC News uncovered the sale of radio frequency jammers, which are advertised for purposes such as deterring drones or…
A D.C. couple has initiated a $60 million lawsuit against Amazon and a Maryland-based delivery service after a pedestrian accident left the woman with severe injuries, as captured in video footage obtained by the News4 I-Team. The incident, which occurred on December 30 at the intersection of Cathedral Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue in Northwest Washington,…
Amazon’s founder, Jeff Bezos, has finalized another phase of his share sale plan, disposing of approximately 14 million Amazon shares valued at around $2.4 billion (£1.9 billion). This recent sale marks Bezos’s divestment of approximately 50 million Amazon shares over the past nine trading days, totalling approximately $8.5 billion. Bezos had previously disclosed intentions to…
Nvidia, a leading figure in artificial intelligence technology, has reached yet another milestone on Wall Street, surpassing Alphabet in market capitalization just one day after overtaking Amazon. The market capitalization of Nvidia soared to $1.83 trillion on Wednesday, edging past Alphabet’s $1.82 trillion valuation. Nvidia’s shares climbed 2.5% to $739 each, while Alphabet’s shares closed…
Multi-billionaire Jeff Bezos has continued to divest from Amazon, selling a significant portion of his shares in the tech giant, totalling more than $4 billion (£3.2 billion) in recent days. Bezos, who founded Amazon in 1994 and currently serves as its executive chair, has sold 24 million Amazon shares this month alone, according to statements…
In a strategic move reflecting the escalating demand and costs associated with IPv4 addresses, Amazon Web Services (AWS) recently implemented a new pricing structure, charging customers $0.005 per public IPv4 address per hour. While seemingly modest, this adjustment is poised to become a lucrative revenue stream for Amazon’s cloud division. IPv4 addresses, akin to digital…
Amazon’s founder, Jeff Bezos, is considering selling up to 50 million shares of Amazon stock over the next year, as revealed in a regulatory filing on Friday. The estimated value of these shares currently stands at nearly $8.6 billion, reflecting the stock’s current price. This strategic move comes on the heels of Amazon’s announcement of…
E-commerce giant Amazon has experienced robust revenue growth, driven by a surge in holiday shoppers during the last quarter, according to the company’s latest financial report. The report, released on Thursday, revealed a total revenue of $170 billion for the quarter ending in December, surpassing Wall Street’s expectations and marking a 14% increase compared to…
In a surprising turn of events, Amazon and iRobot have mutually called off their anticipated $1.7 billion acquisition deal, citing various regulatory obstacles. Following this announcement on Monday, iRobot disclosed plans to lay off 31% of its workforce, amounting to around 350 employees. Founder Colin Angle will step down as CEO, with Glen Weinstein appointed…
MacKenzie Scott, the philanthropist and ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has reportedly sold nearly 65.3 million Amazon shares in the past year, amounting to a value exceeding $10 billion, as revealed in recent filings. Following her divorce from Jeff Bezos in 2019, Scott emerged as the world’s wealthiest woman, acquiring about 19.7 million Amazon…
A French regulator, the CNIL (French Data Protection Authority), has fined Amazon’s French warehouse operator, Amazon France Logistique, €32 million ($35 million) for implementing an “excessively intrusive” surveillance system to monitor the activities of its workers. The CNIL stated that Amazon provided warehouse staff with scanners that meticulously recorded periods of inactivity and the speed…
The European Union’s competition watchdog is poised to block Amazon’s proposed takeover of vacuum cleaner manufacturer iRobot, according to sources reported by the BBC. This development deals a setback to the tech giant, which had received approval from the UK government’s competition watchdog for the acquisition. The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) previously cleared…
Amazon, the global tech giant, has made significant workforce reductions, affecting two key business units—its streaming platform Twitch and the film and television studios division. The company is trimming “several hundred” roles across Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, as confirmed by an internal memo obtained by CNN. Concurrently, Twitch, the video game streaming company…
Amazon is gearing up to revolutionize internet connectivity in space through its Project Kuiper, deploying cutting-edge laser technology for satellite-to-satellite communication. The successful prototype tests have paved the way for Amazon to introduce a commercial-grade broadband service in space, with the constellation utilizing lasers to ensure a high-speed, error-free connection across the globe. In a…
In a recent development, Senior Judge John Coughenour has recused himself from presiding over the US Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) antitrust lawsuit against Amazon.com. This decision was revealed in a court document filed on Wednesday. The antitrust lawsuit was filed against Amazon in federal court in Seattle just a day before Judge Coughenour’s recusal. The…
In a landmark monopoly case, the US government, along with 17 states, has filed a lawsuit against Amazon, alleging years of abusive economic dominance and unfair competition practices by the e-commerce giant. This lawsuit marks the government’s most significant attack on Amazon, a company known for its extensive product range and vast logistics network. The…
Amazon, the global e-commerce powerhouse, has announced its intention to invest a substantial sum, up to $4 billion, in the artificial intelligence (AI) company Anthropic. This strategic move also entails Amazon securing a minority ownership stake in Anthropic, reflecting the e-commerce giant’s ongoing commitment to advancing AI technology and remaining competitive in a rapidly evolving…
Amazon.com has introduced a pioneering policy in response to growing concerns from advocacy groups like the Authors Guild, requiring authors to disclose in advance whether their books incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) material. This move represents a significant development in the ongoing discussion surrounding AI-generated content’s impact on the literary landscape. Amazon.com, a prominent e-commerce giant…
The highly-anticipated crime thriller “Crime 101,” featuring Hollywood A-listers Chris Hemsworth and Pedro Pascal, has found its studio home following a heated $100 million bidding war. Adapted from a novella of the same name by Don Winslow, the movie’s plot revolves around the pursuit of a jewel thief in the vicinity of the Pacific Coast…
Amazon, the global e-commerce giant, has issued cautionary emails to certain US-based office employees regarding their in-person attendance at work, indicating the company’s commitment to enforcing its return-to-office policies. The move follows growing resistance among employees to the policy, which mandates a minimum of three days of in-office work per week. This development aligns with…
A startling revelation has come to light as author Jane Friedman has uncovered that books purportedly authored by her were being sold on Amazon, even though she had no involvement in their creation. These books, suspected to have been generated using artificial intelligence (AI), posed as new releases under her name. The incident has triggered…
Amazon (AMZN) has witnessed a massive surge in sales during the second quarter of 2023, driven by robust demand for its wide range of products and services. The company’s sales grew by 11% to a staggering $134.4 billion, surpassing last year’s second-quarter revenue of $121.2 billion. The reported number also exceeded analysts’ predictions of $131.4…
Spain’s antitrust regulator, known as CNMC, has levied substantial fines on tech giants Amazon and Apple, totalling €194.1 million ($218 million), for colluding to limit competition on the Amazon platform in Spain. The fines were imposed due to anti-competitive clauses present in two contracts signed by the companies on October 31, 2018, which granted Amazon…
Entertainment company, Amazon, is seeking the dismissal of a suit against the controversial movie, Gangs of Lagos. It should be recalled that the movie, which was released in April, clearly portrays the violent and thuggery lifestyle of some parts of Lagos, hitting close with Lagos politics and revealing the greater weight behind street power. Expressing…
Amazon, Hilton Hotels, Adecco, and Microsoft are among the companies pledging to hire or provide career support to 5,000 Ukrainian and other refugees in Europe, in an effort to assist those fleeing persecution. The global number of forcibly displaced individuals has reached a record high of 110 million.Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of the European Commission, expressed…
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a lawsuit against Amazon, accusing the company of using deceptive user interface designs to trick consumers into signing up for its Prime subscription service and making it difficult for them to cancel their memberships. The complaint alleges that Amazon employed manipulative and coercive user-interface designs known as “dark…
An Amazon worker and union organizer, Jennifer Bates, has been reinstated in her job after appealing her termination by the e-commerce giant earlier this month. Amazon confirmed that Bates, who became a prominent figure in the effort to unionize an Amazon facility in Bessemer, Alabama, had been reinstated following the appeals process. Bates had received…
Amazon is testing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to summarize customer feedback on its platform, potentially reducing the time shoppers spend reading reviews before making a purchase. For instance, on the product page for Apple’s third-generation AirPods, the AI feature now provides a summary of over 4,000 user ratings. It highlights positive feedback about…
Shares of Affirm Holdings (AFRM) experienced a significant surge on Wednesday following the announcement of a partnership with Amazon Pay (AMZN). This collaboration will enable merchants utilizing Amazon Pay to integrate Affirm’s “Adaptive Checkout” feature, providing customers with the option to pay for their purchases over time. The technology is already accessible on Amazon.com and…
An Amazon worker who played a prominent role in organizing an unsuccessful unionization effort at a warehouse in Alabama has been fired by the company. Jennifer Bates, known for testifying about her challenging experience at Amazon, was terminated after returning from medical leave due to job-related injuries. The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU),…
Amazon corporate workers staged a visible walkout to express their lack of trust in the company’s leadership. Organizers claimed that over 1,000 employees participated, while Amazon disputed the number, estimating around 300 participants. The walkout aimed to address employee frustrations, including Amazon’s insistence on employees working in the office at least three days a week….
Contemporary designer Ronny Kobo is expanding her distribution by opening a shop-in-shop in the Amazon Fashion store. Amazon is expanding its premium fashion brands, and Ronny Kobo is the latest to join the list. The e-commerce giant will debut its Ronny Kobo shop-in-shop on Monday, highlighting the designer’s spring collection. Kobo’s collection, known for its…
Amazon (AMZN) has built its e-commerce empire by making shopping affordable and foolproof. You didn’t like the pan you bought on Amazon? No worries, you had free returns. However, the days of across-the-board free returns are over: Amazon is instituting a $1 fee on some returns, marking a notable shift from the company’s early days…
Amazon wants investors to know it won’t be left behind in the latest Big Tech arms race over artificial intelligence. In a letter to shareholders Thursday, Amazon (AMZN) CEO Andy Jassy said the company is “investing heavily” in large language models (LLMs) and generative AI, the same technology that underpins ChatGPT and other similar AI…
Amazon is reportedly weighing the purchase of AMC Entertainment and its nationwide chain of movie theaters as a means of promoting Amazon’s content and other services. The Intersect reported that Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has tasked his team of investment advisers and entertainment chiefs with exploring plans to acquire AMC and its chain of nearly…
A new online shopping platform linked to one of China’s top retailers has quickly become the most downloaded app in the United States, surpassing Amazon and Walmart. Now it’s looking to capitalize from an appearance on America’s biggest stage. Temu, a Boston-based online retailer that shares the same owner as Chinese social commerce giant Pinduoduo,…
Amazon will require all office staff to work in-person at least three days a week, ending a policy that left remote work decisions up to team directors. As reported on BBC, boss Andy Jassy informed staff of the change on Friday, saying it would take effect on 1 May. The company is joining others such…
Amazon is expected to begin a fresh round of job cuts in what looks poised to become the largest workforce cuts in its 28-year history as reported on CNBC. Earlier this month, CEO Andy Jassy said the layoffs would affect more than 18,000 employees, primarily in its human resources and stores divisions. Amazon said in…
