
Amazon axes jobs in Kindle department days after the Boox Go 7 series goes live
About a hundred people are right now looking for a new job, but they have something nice to put under the "last workplace" field: Amazon. The e-commerce giant has axed approximately 100 positions within its devices and services division.This is the group responsible for developing products such as the Kindle, Echo smart speakers, the Alexa voice assistant, and Zoox self-driving technology.The company confirmed the layoffs on Wednesday in response to a Reuters inquiry, which reports on the situation. While specific details about which sub-units were affected were not disclosed, a company spokesperson described the job reductions as a small portion of the overall team.The spokesperson noted that the move was part of Amazon's routine efforts to review and adjust its operations, aiming to improve efficiency and better align with its product roadmap. That's what all big (and small) companies have been saying for years now.
The new Boox Go 7 and Go Color 7 (Gen II). | Image credit — Boox
It's notable that the Kindle team is losing people mere days after e-reader maker Boox, a direct rival to both Amazon and Kobo, has announced its new Boox Go 7 series. As PhoneArena readers know, the lineup consists of two new 7-inch e-readers: the Go 7 and the Go Color 7 (Gen 2). Both models run Android 13, giving users access to the Google Play Store, a feature that sets Boox apart from more closed platforms like Kindle and Kobo. This means users can install a wide range of reading apps and productivity tools. Meanwhile, Kindle owners are taking their frustrations and questions to Reddit about their e-reader's battery life (and more). A user by the nickname of ecstathiq says that they've bought a Kindle Basic 2024 a few weeks ago, but usage on it has been low since then, because of finals and studying. Now that the finals are over, they've been using the Kindle more and more often. On a Sunday, they charged the Kindle to 100%, but on Monday, the very next day, the e-reader's battery was down to 40%.As a Kindle aficionado myself, I can say that this isn't normal, even if the Wi-Fi connection is left turned on. My Kindle is good to go without a charger for weeks, so there's definitely something fishy going on here.
Other Redditors complain about various issues they're experiencing, like new books not getting their covers loaded, different kinds of error messages and even losing highlights.
Maybe now that the Kindle department is losing people is the best moment for Boox to shine even harder!

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Phone Arena
3 hours ago
- Phone Arena
Google Pixel 10 might catch up to the iPhone in one area Android fans have been wanting for years
Referential image of the Google Pixel 9 Pro. | Image credit — PhoneArena Google is reportedly preparing to bring magnets to the Pixel lineup for the first time. According to severalreports, the upcoming Pixel 10 will include support for Qi2.2 wireless charging and introduce a new line of magnetic accessories under the name "Pixelsnap." While Pixel phones have supported wireless charging in the past, they have lacked the magnetic hardware seen in Apple's MagSafe system. Pixel 9 owners, for example, need special cases to use MagSafe-style chargers and stands. The Pixel 10 is expected to change that, with magnets built directly into the phone. Google's new Pixelsnap accessory line appears to include at least three products: Pixelsnap Charger Pixelsnap Charger with Stand Pixelsnap Ring Stand These accessories sound similar to common MagSafe tools, like a flat magnetic charger, a stand-based charger, and a ring grip that doubles as a kickstand. If accurate, this would give Pixel 10 users an experience closer to what iPhone users have had for several years. Pixel users may finally be able to enjoy the use of magnetic accessories just like iPhone users have for years with MagSafe. | Image credit — PhoneArena Qi2.2 is the latest version of the Qi wireless charging standard. It can theoretically deliver up to 60W of power, but that doesn't mean the Pixel 10 will charge at those speeds. It's more likely that Google will use a slower, more controlled charging rate, similar to what we see in most flagship phones today. The real benefit here is the improved alignment and stability offered by the magnetic connection. Unlike other Android phones that support Qi2 but skip the magnets, the Pixel 10 is expected to use the full Qi2 feature set. Android Authority found evidence linking the Pixelsnap accessory program directly to the Pixel 10 , which strongly suggests the magnets are built into the phone itself. Evidence found of new Google wireless magnetic chargers . | Image credit — Android Authority Google is expected to hold its Made by Google event in August, with the Pixel 10 going on sale shortly after. This is where expect that more details will be revealed on Pixelsnap and Qi2.2 charging. While Apple's MagSafe has been around for years, and Samsung has quietly experimented with magnetic accessories, there hasn't been an official Android-wide push until now. Google's decision to fully adopt magnets in the Pixel 10 could make its ecosystem more appealing to users looking for convenience and consistency. It's a small feature, but one that I believe could make a noticeable difference in everyday use.


Phone Arena
4 hours ago
- Phone Arena
Apple's Image Playground on iOS 26 now supports ChatGPT art styles. Here's a look at how it works.
Apple is expanding the creative features in its new software updates, and iOS 26 brings a notable one. With Image Playground, users can now access image styles powered by ChatGPT, including popular ones like anime, oil painting, watercolor, vector, and print. These are the same styles available through ChatGPT 4o, and they join Apple's existing Animation, Illustration, and Sketch styles. While Apple didn't add new styles of its own this time, it did include a flexible "Any Style" option. This lets users type in a custom description for the kind of image they want, similar to how ChatGPT works. You can create an image from text or upload a photo and have it transformed into a different style. To use the ChatGPT option, you'll need to allow your iPhone to send the image to ChatGPT's servers. This kind of AI-powered image generation has already become a viral trend on social media. Users are turning their selfies into Studio Ghibli characters, Funko Pop figurines, and even Muppet versions of themselves. The trend has taken off as a fun and creative way for friends to share personalized images with each other. These AI makeovers are often posted in comment threads and group chats, quickly spreading as others join in on the trend and try it for themselves. Image Playground ChatGPT image generation asks for permission. | Image credit — PhoneArena One thing to keep in mind is that image generation using ChatGPT is slower compared to Apple's built-in, on-device styles. And while Apple's tools have stricter rules around content, ChatGPT is more relaxed. It can generate images that use copyrighted characters or even depict violent scenarios, though Apple does provide a clear warning before anything is sent to ChatGPT. The app also labels images that come from ChatGPT, so it's clear where the result originated. Image Playground ChatGPT image generation has impressive results. | Image credit — PhoneArena There are also limits depending on the type of ChatGPT account you have. Free users will likely only be able to generate one or two images before hitting a cap. To use ChatGPT styles more often, a paid subscription is required. Apple's on-device styles, by contrast, are unlimited and don't rely on an internet connection. In addition to the ChatGPT features, Apple is also improving Genmoji in iOS 26 . This tool allows you to create custom emoji by combining existing emoji or describing a new one using text prompts. The results can be saved to your emoji keyboard for use in Messages. Genmoji was first announced alongside the iPhone 16 last year, but early versions didn't quite deliver on Apple's promises. The feature felt limited and inconsistent, especially when trying to generate something new from a description. With this update, Apple seems to be closing the gap between what was marketed and what users can actually do, making Genmoji feel more usable and flexible. Image Playground Genmoji generation. | Image credit — PhoneArena Compared to Google and Samsung, which have both leaned heavily into AI-powered customization features, Apple has taken a more cautious approach. Google's integration of Gemini into Android already allows for image and emoji creation, and Samsung's Galaxy AI tools offer similar functionality across devices. However, for iPhone users, the key difference is accessibility: these new tools are now baked into iOS 26 , removing the need to download third-party apps or use external services. That convenience alone could encourage more users to experiment with these image generation ChatGPT features, especially now that they're just a tap away. iOS 26 is available to developers now, with a public beta coming in July. A full release is expected in September alongside new iPhone models. Overall, adding ChatGPT styles to Image Playground gives users more room to be creative. For those who already use ChatGPT regularly, though, this might feel like a natural extension of what they can now do on their iPhone.


Phone Arena
4 hours ago
- Phone Arena
Qualcom demos new processor for AI-powered smart glasses
If AI-driven augmented reality smart glasses replace smartphones eventually, as many expect, Qualcomm would expect to be negatively impacted. Sales of its smartphone chips would be reduced and in theory, Qualcomm's stock price would follow. However, there is something that the San Diego-based fabless chip designer is doing that will not only reduce the negative effect of slower phone sales but should lead to rapidly growing sales of processors for a hot new product. At the Augmented World Expo trade show, Qualcomm demonstrated its new Snapdragon AR1+ Gen 1 processor powering a pair of AR smart glasses. The processor allows AI to run on the glasses without requiring an internet connection or having the glasses sync with a phone. For example, Ziad Asghar, a Qualcomm Senior Vice President, used the smart glasses to speak with an AI-powered digital assistant powered by the new Qualcomm chips. The Snapdragon AR1+ Gen 1 is 26% smaller than the previous generation. The new chip will deliver enhanced image quality, size, power improvement and the ability to run Small Language Models. Qualcomm introduces the new Snapdragon AR1+ Gen 1 processor for smart glasses. | KImage credit-Qualcomm The digital assistant was connected to the glasses on-device, not through the cloud or a nearby phone. As the Qualcomm executive wrote in a blog post, "No phone. No cloud. Just the processor powering the glasses themselves." Qualcomm hopes that the smaller, energy-efficient chips help take smart glasses from their current role as an accessory for the smartphone to a starring position as a smartphone replacement that can do it all as the wearable device becomes more mainstream. Currently, Qualcomm chips are used on Meta's Ray-Ban glasses. Other headsets and glasses that rely on Qualcomm components include Lenovo Group Ltd.'s A3, Sony Corp.'s Spacial HMD, Microsoft Corp.'s HoloLens 2, and the Vive Flow from HTC. One issue that AI-driven AR smart glasses face is how manufacturers can feed such a power-hungry device while keeping them lightweight and small enough for users to wear on their faces for hours at a time. If these glasses are expected to eventually replace smartphones, this is a hurdle that the product is going to have to overcome. Qualcomm's new processor helps smart glasses take a big step in the right obviously believes in the future of smart glasses. The company is positioning itself accordingly by developing new processors for the smart glasses industry hoping to be as dominant in that market as it is in designing and selling chips for smartphones.