Amazon PhotosPlus discontinuation: Difference between revisions
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[[Amazon PhotosPlus]] was a [[subscription-based service]] that offered users the ability to display their chosen photos on their devices as the "primary content." Additionally, it provided 25 GB of [[Amazon Photos]] storage, and cost $2 per month. Announced in October 2023,<ref> | [[Amazon PhotosPlus]] was a [[subscription-based service]] that offered users the ability to display their chosen photos on their devices as the "primary content." Additionally, it provided 25 GB of [[Amazon Photos]] storage, and cost $2 per month. Announced in October 2023,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sobolewski-Kiwerski |first=Adrian |date=18 Oct 2023 |title=What is Amazon PhotosPlus and what devices does it work with? |url=https://www.pocket-lint.com/what-is-amazon-photosplus/ |url-status=live |access-date=4 Apr 2025 |website=Pocket-lint}}</ref> [[Amazon]] sent an email informing its users that it was discontinuing the service,<ref>{{Cite web |last=@wheelsee |date=20 Aug 2024 |title=@smarthomemama @verge @reckless1280 @imdavidpierce well can’t say I didn’t see this coming. Amazon removing the key feature of the Amazon Echo 8 Show photo edition. |url=https://www.threads.net/@wheelsee/post/C-58LrqSbYW?xmt=AQGzdSySswLxRPEtQdHvzY0PMn5k0eXCG2lzMqmc0irZoIQ |url-status=live |access-date=4 Apr 2025 |website=Threads}}</ref> cancelling it on September 12, 2024. This event has been described as having features which match the definition of a [[retroactively amended purchase]].<ref name="foo">{{Cite web |last=Pattison Tuohy |first=Jennifer |date=29 Sep 2023 |title=Amazon will charge you to use its new Echo Show 8 as a digital photo frame |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/22/23885332/amazon-echo-show-8-photos-edition-digital-frame-price-fee |url-status=live |access-date=4 Apr 2025 |website=The Verge}}</ref> | ||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
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*The ability to remotely add new photos to the device | *The ability to remotely add new photos to the device | ||
==Discontinuation of service less than a year after release == | ==Discontinuation of service less than a year after release== | ||
In March 2024, Amazon discontinued the sale of the Echo Show 8 Photos Edition hardware.<ref> | In March 2024, Amazon discontinued the sale of the Echo Show 8 Photos Edition hardware.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Emma |date=21 Aug 2024 |title=Amazon cancels the Echo Show 8 Photos Edition’s main feature — focusing on photos |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/21/24225149/amazon-end-photosplus-subscription-echo-show-8-photos-edition |url-status=live |access-date=4 Apr 2025 |website=The Verge}}</ref> Five months later, in August 2024, Amazon announced the end of the PhotosPlus subscription service. | ||
[[File:Amazon_PhotosPlus_Discontinuation_Notice_2024.jpg|thumb|300px|Amazon's email notification to PhotosPlus customers announcing the service discontinuation, sent August 2024.]] | [[File:Amazon_PhotosPlus_Discontinuation_Notice_2024.jpg|thumb|300px|Amazon's email notification to PhotosPlus customers announcing the service discontinuation, sent August 2024.]] | ||
After Amazon cancelled the PhotosPlus service, the Amazon Echo Show 8 Photos Edition became functionally identical to the standard Amazon Echo Show 8,<ref> | After Amazon cancelled the PhotosPlus service, the Amazon Echo Show 8 Photos Edition became functionally identical to the standard Amazon Echo Show 8,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Heinzman |first=Andrew |date=21 Aug 2024 |title=Amazon’s $160 Digital Photo Frame Will Soon Be Filled With Ads |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/amazon-cancels-photosplus-subscription/ |url-status=live |access-date=4 Apr 2025 |website=How-To-Geek}}</ref> with users forced to view advertisements and promotional content after three hours of photo display. | ||
==Customer response== | ==Customer response== | ||
The discontinuation caused substantial customer backlash,<ref> | The discontinuation caused substantial customer backlash,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Amazon discontinuing the Photos part of the Echo Show 8 Photos Edition |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/amazonecho/comments/1ex6ar4/amazon_discontinuing_the_photos_part_of_the_echo/ |url-status=live |access-date=4 Apr 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> particularly because: | ||
*Customers had paid a premium ($10) for hardware that would lose its primary distinguishing feature of avoiding ads | *Customers had paid a premium ($10) for hardware that would lose its primary distinguishing feature of avoiding ads | ||
*The product lifecycle had lasted less than one year | *The product lifecycle had lasted less than one year | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
[[Category:Amazon]] | [[Category:Amazon]] | ||
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[[Category:Discontinued subscription services]] | [[Category:Discontinued subscription services]] | ||
[[Category:Articles based on videos]] | [[Category:Articles based on videos]] | ||
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