It has solely been a 12 months since Amazon launched Glow, its kid-focused video calling machine that may also be used for interactive gaming. Now in line with Bloomberg, Amazon is already discontinuing it, probably as a consequence of lackluster gross sales. As the publication notes, Glow, whereas extremely rated on Amazon, solely has a bit over 500 critiques on the web site. 

Another doable cause why the corporate is giving up on the machine is a change in individuals’s conduct. Glow was created so children might keep in contact with and play with family members they do not reside with or repeatedly see. Now that folks have gone again to their pre-pandemic routines, there’s even much less of a requirement for a specialised video calling machine. 

Amazon spokesperson Kristy Schmidt confirmed to Bloomberg that the corporate is killing the machine. They mentioned:

“At Amazon we predict massive, experiment, and spend money on new concepts to please clients. We additionally regularly consider the progress and potential of our merchandise to ship buyer worth, and we repeatedly make changes primarily based on these assessments. We will likely be sharing updates and steerage with Glow clients quickly.”

Glow was a product of Amazon’s secretive Grand Challenge moonshot laboratory, which works on experimental initiatives, corresponding to these involving most cancers and last-mile supply. It has a projector that beams video games onto a 19-inch mat, and youngsters can work together with the projected picture to play with their family members even from afar. The machine comes with Tangram Bits, that are bodily items children can use to unravel puzzles. It additionally comes with a free year-long subscription to Amazon Kids+ that is needed to have the ability to entry its video games, books and different actions. After that ends, customers must pay $8 per thirty days for the subscription, or $5 if they seem to be a Prime member. 

Only those that have already got a Glow must fear about future prices related to the subscription, although. Amazon listed the machine for 55 % off, or $150, just a few days in the past, however now it would not appear to be out there for buy anymore.