Amazon Glow Review: A Buggy But Fun Experience

A Novel Approach to Remote Connection: Introducing Amazon Glow

I find myself occasionally frustrated by the seemingly inconsistent hand-tracking capabilities of the innovative device situated on the table.

However, my three-year-old child exhibits no such concerns. He is experiencing such intense amusement that his breathing is labored as he repeatedly uses the device to virtually eliminate dinosaurs that his grandmother, located 200 miles away, is placing on the surface.

Allow me to provide some context, as this scenario may lack clarity without it.

We are currently engaging with Amazon Glow – the latest iteration, distinct from the previously released product also bearing the “Glow” designation from just two years prior.

Imagine a touchscreen display oriented vertically. Supplement this with a projector capable of casting images onto the table before it, and equip it with dual cameras: one to capture the individual positioned in front of the device, and another focused on the table to recognize hand movements, effectively transforming the projected image into an interactive touchscreen. This constitutes the core functionality of the Glow.

Designed for Interactive Experiences

The Glow is intended to facilitate play, reading, and video communication for children with a carefully selected group of family and friends who reside at a distance. The upper screen consistently displays the individual with whom they are conversing. The imagery projected onto the table is mirrored on the remote participant’s tablet. When one party advances a page in a book, the corresponding page is updated on the other end. Similarly, drawings created by one user are instantly visible to the other.

(Amazon recommends this device for children aged “3 and up,” though based on its current functionality, I would suggest limiting its use to children between the ages of 3 and 8.)

The entire system is centered around Amazon Kids+, a subscription-based service (separate from Prime) offering a wide array of children’s books, games, films, and television programs. Only the books and a limited selection of games are compatible with the Glow; video content is not displayed on the device, a sensible decision considering my child’s potential demand for constant Blippi viewing. A subscription to Kids+ is included for one year with the purchase of a Glow, after which it costs $3 (or $5 for non-Prime members) per month.

The available book selection appears to be quite comprehensive, particularly for younger readers. The games are all straightforward, multiplayer activities such as memory matching, chess, a pong-inspired arcade game, and a drawing application that evokes strong nostalgic feelings, reminding me of countless hours spent creating artwork in Kid Pix on my father’s computer. However, this time, the experience is projected onto a table, allowing my child to collaborate on drawings with his grandmother from across the state. She adds a dinosaur sticker to the screen; he uses the erase tool to remove it. Their shared laughter is a constant refrain.

Security and Setup

Each contact a child can call must be explicitly approved by the parent’s account and require an existing Amazon account. The initial setup process may require some effort depending on the technical proficiency of the remote party, but once completed, it does not need to be repeated. I appreciate this whitelisting system, as it minimizes the risk of my child inadvertently communicating with an unfamiliar individual.

The Glow is a product deeply rooted in the experiences of the pandemic era, a time when in-person visits with family – particularly elderly relatives – could feel precarious.

One might ask, “If the primary goal is remote communication with Grandma, couldn’t they simply use FaceTime alongside a reading application?”

Indeed, that is a valid option. And yet…

The Glow offers a distinctly different experience. My child perceives it as fundamentally different from FaceTime or Zoom calls. I, too, sense a difference.

A Unique Sense of Presence

The design of the Glow seems to imbue the person you are communicating with a tangible sense of presence. This may be due to the device’s immobility during calls – it lacks a battery and powers off immediately when unplugged. It could also be attributed to the interaction with elements on the table, followed by a glance upwards at the separate, dedicated screen, creating a nearly eye-to-eye connection. It feels less like staring at a screen and more like gathering around a board game at a table.

Regardless of the reason, the effect is remarkably potent. My child typically engages in a five-minute FaceTime session with Grandma, showcasing his toys before moving on to other activities. However, when I inquire if he would like to “glow” with Grandma (using the term as a verb), he enthusiastically agrees. He will happily spend an hour playing and reading with her, even in the face of occasional glitches.

Which brings me to the topic of bugs.

The Glow is currently in a transitional phase – it is technically available, but also feels like a beta product. It is part of Amazon’s “Day 1 Editions” program, a more appealing term for “products released while still in development.” You must request an “invite,” Amazon selects who can purchase it, and those chosen individuals have the opportunity to test the device while Amazon continues to refine it. The price is $250 as part of the Day 1 program, and will increase to $299 afterward.

Bugs are inevitable in such a program, and the Glow, as it currently exists at the end of 2021, has its share. It occasionally fails to register touches, particularly when the child is wearing long sleeves, emitting a “KLONK” sound and displaying an error message for both users. Books and games sometimes fail to load, and the device occasionally resets unexpectedly.

Areas for Improvement

There are also certain aspects that are less bugs and more simply areas needing refinement, such as:

• The caller’s image on the Glow’s screen is often partially cropped, as shown above. This appears to be due to the Glow’s portrait orientation (taller than it is wide) contrasting with the landscape orientation (wider than it is tall) typically used by callers. Furthermore, callers usually cannot see their own face, only the child’s and the projected image, making them unaware of the issue. Initially, I attributed this to improper tablet positioning, but it occurred with multiple users. I even tested it myself by calling my child on the Glow from another room, and my wife pointed out my cropped face after just three minutes. Amazon should consider implementing a Center Stage-style face-tracking feature to address this.
• Several books in the Amazon Kids+ library do not display well on the screen, with text that is too small for either party to read comfortably. A “Bubble” mode attempts to zoom in on the text, but often proves more disruptive than helpful. This mode sometimes activates automatically, confusing users unfamiliar with it.
• The user interface can be slow and somewhat awkwardly formatted.

These issues all seem resolvable. I sincerely hope Amazon addresses them, as with further refinement and the addition of more content, the Glow has the potential to become a truly exceptional device. However, the extent of future development remains uncertain; we have been using the device for weeks, and any updates have been subtle.

Despite its imperfections, I find much to appreciate. The projected screen is bright and clear, enhanced by the included bright white roll-out mat, which improves brightness and tactility. I have not needed to adjust the room’s lighting to ensure optimal visibility. Setup and teardown are quick and easy, and Amazon has thoughtfully designed the box to serve as a durable storage container. A physical shutter switch allows for camera privacy. Amazon also offers a two-year warranty, replacing the device if it breaks – a reassuring feature given the propensity of children to damage things.

However, my child is oblivious to these technical details. He simply wants to continue eliminating more dinosaurs.

To conclude, I typically assess whether I would purchase a product after reviewing it. In this case, I have already done so – or, at least, I have requested an invite to purchase one. This decision is driven by my belief that my child would be disappointed to lose the ability to “glow with grandma,” and by my genuine appreciation for the unique sense of presence it provides to his grandparents during their calls.

Should you consider purchasing the Glow? If your child is already satisfied with FaceTime, perhaps not. If books, drawing, and simple games fail to capture their interest, it may not be a good fit. If you are unwilling to tolerate occasional bugs while Amazon determines the long-term direction of the product, it might not be for you. However, if these factors do not deter you, it offers a genuinely enjoyable experience.