This summary of the video was created by an AI. It might contain some inaccuracies.
00:00:00 – 00:29:35
The video provides a comprehensive review and hands-on demonstration of the Amazon Glow, a device designed to facilitate interactive video calls and activities for children and their families. The presenter unboxes the device, explaining the setup process, which involves placing the mat, connecting to Wi-Fi, and linking the Amazon Glow app with an Amazon account. Profiles for children and family members are created, with a detailed walkthrough of adding contacts like Grandpa, who needs to download the app and set it up on his compatible device.
Key functionalities of the Amazon Glow include video calling, interactive story reading, and engaging in activities like puzzles and drawing games. The device is designed to be user-friendly with a vibrant screen and straightforward controls, although there are notes on occasional responsiveness issues if the device is too warm or obstructed. Privacy features, such as muting the microphone and camera, are demonstrated alongside practical usage tips.
Family members interact through the Glow, with examples of children reading books ("Goodnight Moon") and playing games (memory matching, drawing) with grandparents. The inclusion of Amazon Kids Plus provides a library of age-appropriate books and games, enhancing the interactive experience. The device's screen works well in various lighting conditions and includes modes like "bubble mode" for easier reading.
Overall, despite minor glitches like loading icon freezes or fan noise during video chats, the Amazon Glow is praised for its simplicity, lack of ads, child-safe content, and its ability to foster increased communication and shared activities between children and their loved ones. The video concludes with a recommendation for families looking to enhance remote interactions and educational play for children.
00:00:00
In this part of the video, the presenter introduces and unboxes the Amazon Glow, a new product from Amazon. Key actions include taking out the mat, tablet projector, instructions, power cord, and seeing how the device can be used for video calls and interactive activities. Detailed setup instructions are provided such as placing the mat on a hard surface, plugging in the device, downloading the Amazon Glow app, signing in with an Amazon account, setting up profiles, connecting to the internet, and turning on Bluetooth to link the device with the Wi-Fi network.
00:03:00
In this segment, the video discusses setting up profiles and adding family members on the Amazon Glow device and app. Initially, the narrator highlights adding kids’ profiles, entering their names and birthdays, and setting up interactions with family members. An update for the Amazon Glow is downloaded simultaneously. The narrator explains the subscription benefits, including a one-year Amazon Kids Plus subscription and the consequences of letting it expire. They grant the app permissions to use the phone’s microphone and camera for video calling, even though a tablet is required for full functionality.
The video delves into linking the Amazon account and controlling communication permissions for each kid’s profile. It details the process of adding family members, specifically setting up a connection with Grandpa by sending him a download link for the Amazon Glow app. The video then switches perspective to Grandpa’s actions, walking through downloading the app, setting up his profile, and granting necessary permissions. It mentions the compatibility requirements for iOS and Android devices and the need to allow notifications to receive calls. Grandpa’s setup is completed by selecting the child he wants to contact.
00:06:00
In this segment, the narrator discusses testing a device before contacting grandpa. The device updates and boots up, and it operates similarly to a tablet, though requires a softer press. They describe a play session where a child reads a story about the character Woody and then engages with “Tangram bits,” a puzzle with multiple levels and activities that, when solved, transforms shapes into animals on the screen. Additionally, there is an explanation of how to initiate a video call with a pre-approved family member, featuring options to control the video and audio, and they plan to test this function with grandpa.
00:09:00
In this part of the video, a grandchild interacts with their grandpa through a video call. The grandchild reads the book “Goodnight Moon” to the grandpa, turning the pages and narrating the story. After reading, they engage in a memory matching game, identifying and matching various pictures such as a worm, a chicken, and Big Bird. They take turns and discuss their matches, with the grandchild demonstrating enthusiasm and skill in the game. The segment highlights their interaction and enjoyment, ending with the suggestion to play the game again in the future.
00:12:00
In this part of the video, various family members, including grandma and grandpa, interact with a child. Grandpa and the child work on different tasks, with the child ultimately outperforming in a drawing activity. The child scans a drawing and shows designs on the screen. They also practice writing letters, successfully drawing a ‘G’ and attempting a ‘W’. There is an anecdote about another child, Jack, who hurt his foot. The family visits a hospital where they observe doctors and nurses. The segment concludes with reflections on favorite activities, such as playing the fish game, and interacting with grandpa.
00:15:00
In this part of the video, the speaker demonstrates the Amazon Glow device, highlighting its features and functionalities. They explain the two modes: completely off, where no calls can be made or received, and sleep mode, where the screens are off but calls can still come through. They show how to turn the device on by pressing the power button, which turns green, and how to select a user profile. The device can be turned off by pressing the power button, which also allows it to receive calls. Volume controls and settings adjustments for Wi-Fi, sound effects, and video chat sound are also covered. The privacy shutter feature is demonstrated, allowing the user to mute the microphone and camera. The speaker notes that the touchscreen is functional even in bright daylight but performs better in darker environments.
00:18:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the functionality and user experience of the Amazon Glow device. They highlight that the screen is bright and vibrant, making it easier to work with, and the touch screen generally works well for children, although occasionally it may not respond if the device is too warm or if there are physical obstructions such as clothing. The speaker notes that the device’s brightness is significantly better when using the included pad and mentions that the touch screen is easy to clean.
The video also makes a point about the fan noise that occurs during video chats, which can be diminished by turning off the camera function. Additionally, the speaker touches upon the available content on Amazon Glow, particularly its synchronization with the Amazon Kids Plus app, which allows books read on other devices to be available on the Glow. The content availability is age-dependent, and there are some limitations with chapter books. The speaker concludes by demonstrating how to navigate through recent and featured items on the device.
00:21:00
In this part of the video, the presenter explores the various games and books available on a device. The games include matching puzzles, checkers, chess, go fish, and various drawing games like tic-tac-toe. The games are not labeled, requiring users to learn and recognize them over time.
Next, the presenter highlights the different content rows on the home screen, including an art row, recommended books, and sections for Disney, Mattel, Nickelodeon, and Sesame Street. Focusing on the books section, the presenter explains how there are many interactive books available to read, including “Toy Story” and “Frozen.” The “Toy Story” book has interactive elements that encourage re-reading to discover all moving items.
The video also demonstrates “bubble mode” for an enhanced reading experience. This mode allows easier text interaction, page-turning, and text size adjustment. However, occasionally, the bubble might not be detected accurately, skipping parts of the book. Alternatives to bubble mode, like tapping to switch pages, are shown to improve ease of use. Additional features include a touch indicator for reading, a flashlight mode that highlights the reading area, and a rainbow color trail mode for tracking lines while reading.
00:24:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the usability of the Amazon Glow device, including some minor issues encountered, such as the loading icon occasionally freezing while reading books, which requires reverting to the previous page to fix. They emphasize the benefits of the device, including its simplicity, lack of ads, and child-safe content, contrasting it with a tablet where children might unintentionally access inappropriate content. They also describe functionality tips, such as muting microphones to avoid audio issues when using the Glow device alongside an iPad in the same room. Additionally, they touch upon the limitation of the available games on the device and express a desire for more options and the ability to set time limits. A teacher with 35 years of experience tested the device and was impressed, although he noted the limited selection of games.
00:27:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses how the Amazon Glow helps facilitate communication between a child and her grandpa, allowing her to call him at any time. They highlight a need for better parental controls to manage call times. The Amazon Glow’s user-friendly features are praised, particularly its ease of use compared to using two iPads for FaceTime and games. The speaker notes that this new product enables children to read more books and communicate more frequently with family members. They also explain the purchasing process, which requires an invitation request through a specific link. Overall, the Amazon Glow is recommended for families seeking improved communication tools for younger children.