Amazon
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Source: Sascha Schuermann / Getty / Amazon Games
While gamers are enjoying what might be the most remarkable year in gaming history, the people behind the scenes are enduring massive layoffs. Amazon is the latest company to let workers go.
Spotted on The Verge, Amazon announced, via a memo sent to employees by the VP of Amazon Games, Christoph Hartmann, that it would cut 180 jobs in its gaming division and make “some” changes to its games initiative.
The changes will see Amazon shut down its Crown Twitch channel and shutter its Game Growth effort, which helps game developers market their products, while “refocusing” its work with the free games it offers through its Prime Gaming service.
“We are proud of the work the teams have been doing, pushing into new areas with weekly content on Crown Channel and finding more ways to help publishers reach new audiences with Game Growth,” Hartmann said in the memo. “But after further evaluation of our businesses, it became clear that we need to focus our resources and efforts to deliver great games to players now and in the future.”
Speaking on the free games that are a beloved benefit to Amazon Prime subscribers, “We’ve listened to our customers, and we know delivering free games every month is what they want most, so we are refining our Prime benefit to increase our focus there,” Harmin added.
It’s A Spooky Time To Work In The Video Games Industry
These changes came after Amazon announced in April that over 100 staffers in Amazon’s games organization were let go.
This news joins the list of layoffs in the world of video games. Destiny 2 developer Bungie laid off dozens of staff, The Last of Us developer Naughty Dog cut developers in October, and Humble Games was also affected recently by layoffs.
Our thoughts are with all of the workers affected by these layoffs.
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Photo: Sascha Schuermann / Getty
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Mariah Carey has an early Christmas present for fans in the form of a tour merch store on Amazon, which you […]
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Amazon is gearing up for Black Friday deals, but rather than give you a few days to take advantage of major […]
Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet (2021 Version)
Get all your streaming and web surfing needs met through the Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet currently being discounted for half-off. The multipurpose design makes it easy to use for work purposes as it can download Microsoft Office and Zoom, or keep it for personal use and scroll through social media and listen to your favorite songs and playlists using Amazon Music Unlimited, Spotify and more.Over 93,000 verified Amazon reviewers have given the device a five-star rating. One shopper even noted that its battery life “is crazy” saying they “left this thing playing a video when I fell asleep, and eight hours later it was still playing and only at 52% lol. Speakers are a little loud at the lowest volume, so night time listeners with partners will wanna pop the headphones in. Picture looks pretty good for the price! Really enjoy this little tablet!”
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Doja Cat is gearing up to “Paint the Town Red” with the launch of her Scarlet Red Tour on Tuesday (Oct. 31), and to help fans prepare, the 28-year-old partnered with Amazon Music to create an exclusive merch store you can shop now.
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Before you grab last-minute tickets on Ticketmaster or through resale sites like VividSeats, Seat Geek and StubHub, make sure to stock up on these limited-time pieces of apparel, including T-shirts, hoodies, socks, hats and more. All pieces are inspired by the recent album and feature reimagined Doja Cat memorabilia styles, according to a press release.
This marks the second artist that Amazon Music has partnered with to create an exclusive merch collection with following the success of the Beyonce Renaissance merch shop.
Some of the items will also be available in-person at Doja’s sold-out concerts, but if you want to skip the line and ensure you get your size, this shop helps to make it easier to stock up on the artist’s merch without having to miss a single song from the setlist.
Keep reading to shop some of the Scarlet Red Tour merch or view the entire shop here.
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Show off the album cover in this classic T-shirt style that’s available in black or white and sizes S-XXL. It’s made from a soft cotton material for extra comfort and breathability — plus, it’s machine washable!
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The official hoodie is one of the only pieces of apparel you can also pick up at the concert and comes designed with graphics inspired by the singer’s memes and themes of the album.
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Get cozy in a pair of relaxed sweatpants that come in a neutral black shade with a white graphic of spiders. The legs feature a cuffed bottom that’s elastic to fit to your unique shape and an elastic waits for added comfort.
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Fans of Doja Cat’s memes will appreciate this pink T-shirt that’s designed with an array of graphics from her social media and music videos.
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For a basic that you can wear with a white tank top or hoodie, these Bejeweled Shorts come with the artist’s name as well as star graphics and a breathable polyester birdseye material that should be hand washed only.
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Looking for an under $30 option? These crew socks come in three shades, feature the iconic spider graphics and will keep your feet comfy while showing off your love for the rapper.
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Doja Cat Official The Scarlet Tour Merch Illuminaughty Hat, Black $35.00 Buy Now On Amazon
Top off your outfits with an official Doja Cat hat designed with the album cover’s spiders as well as text that says “Illuminaughty.”
For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best bucket hats, pleated skirts and belly chains.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Prime Big Deals Day may be over, but Amazon is still dancing away with sales — including discounting a Monster portable speaker for 43% off. It’s never too early to start your holiday shopping, and rather than wait until Black Friday or Cyber Monday, the retailer is treating you to a major early deal that’ll make the perfect gift for music lovers, or you can treat yourself to an upgraded speaker.
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From hosting dinner parties, game night or a backyard barbecue, this portable speaker will help keep the tunes going without tying you down to an outlet. One full charge can last up to 12 hours straight and the built-in indicator light will help you track how much battery is left. Did we mention it’s also waterproof? Yep, now if your friend accidentally spills their drink on your precious speaker, it won’t die.
Plus, Prime members won’t have to wait the typical seven-day shipping period to receive the speaker. With a membership, you’ll get free, one-day shipping on practically all items sold on the site. Not a Prime member? Launch your 30-day free trial here.
Keep reading to shop the Amazon deal.
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Monster Blaster 3.0 Portable Speaker
The portable speaker comes in three shades to choose from including black, white and red. When you’re on the go, the top handle makes it easier to move the speaker from place to place while its Bluetooth capabilities mean you can connect it to most smart devices like your phone, tablet and laptop. If you love a strong bass output, then you’ll most likely enjoy the 60W powered subwoofer. Plus, at 43% off it’s dropped to under $200!
Reviewers can’t get enough of Monster’s speaker giving it a 4.5 star rating with one shopper describing it as a “piece of art” while another claimed it’s “worth every penny” for its sound quality and portability.
For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best wifi extenders, karaoke microphones and bluetooth earbuds.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Colder weather calls for layering up, but we can’t always bring our favorite mermaid tail blanket with us — especially when we have to go to the office. Investing in a portable space heater will provide you with a mini fireplace that you can take with you. Don’t want to drop major cash on a new space heater? Amazon is making it easier to save on a compact version by offering 55% off GiveBest’s Electric Space Heater.
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For less than $30, you can have this small space heater delivered straight to you (and with one-day free shipping if you have a Prime membership). As winter storms in, you’ll be praising its quick ability to warm up to 200 square feet — and might just consider it one of your best work from home items. The attached handle will make carrying it from one place to the next easier and safer. As an added bonus, using one of these could help lower your heat bill, depending on how much space you need to warm.
Keep reading to shop the deal, or click here.
Over 55,000 verified Amazon reviewers (and counting!) have given the portable space heater a five-star rating for its easy use, heat output and temperature control. Some have even described it as “small but mighty.” It’s versatile enough to use in the winter and summer thanks to its two heat levels: 1500W or 750W and cool air fan option. You can also use a thermostat setting that’ll automatically turn the device off once it senses a room has reached the desired temp, then it’ll turn back on when a room dips below.
There are multiple safety features within the device as well, including being made with flame-retardant material, an automatic safety shutoff system for when the device overheats, and it will automatically shut off if it’s tipped over, then turn back on when put back upright.
One shopper couldn’t help but note their surprise over how effective the design is.
“I was shocked at how safe, lightweight and extremely powerful this little heater is. My bedroom is hot within 10 minutes. I am so glad I purchased this heater. Highly recommend,” the reviewer said.
For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best air purifiers, camping gear and travel necessities.
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Source: AMAZON MUSIC / Amazon Music
Hip-Hop fans are in for a treat. Amazon is set to livestream a show from Nas and Wu-Tang Clan’s N.Y. State of Mind Tour.
Hip Hop N More is reporting that the streaming platform is giving the culture an opportunity to attend one of the most anticipated concerts of the year virtually. In an effort to further honor the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop, Amazon will telecast their respective sets from the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. This is a special date as De La Soul will join the bill as special guests.
Originally announced in February of 2022 the N.Y. State of Mind Tour brings two of the most iconic brands in Rap music together for their first ever co-headlining effort. The outing proved to be a major success; so much so the concert series was extended into 2023 with international dates. Produced by Live Nation this year’s run kicked off on Tuesday, May 9th in Auckland, New Zealand at Spark Arena. It has since traveled to New Zealand, Europe, and came back to the United States back in September.
Amazon Music will stream the N.Y. State of Mind Tour on Wednesday, October 18 at 8PM PST.
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Source: Dane Isaac / Amazon
It seems Amazon’s attempt at reimagine radio did not go as plan. The brand is shutting down their Amp platform which leaves Joe Budden and Nicki Minaj’s shows without a home.
HipHopDX is reporting that the streaming giant has announced that it will be shutting down Amp. Back in March 2022 Amazon announced the live audio app that would allow users to talk through songs like on air disc jockeys. According to Bloomberg News Vice President of Amazon Steve Boom sent a memo confirming the rumors the company will cut the switch on this product offering. “This decision was not made quickly or easily,” Boom wrote. “It only became clear after months of careful consideration determining the investments Amazon wants to make for the future.”
Along with what seemed like a heavy advertising spend the product launch also was tied to celebrity programming; a lot of it. Amp rolled out several shows hosted by musicians, podcasters, athletes and comedians including Joe Budden, Nicki Minaj, Jason Lee, Draymond Green, and more. But it seems Amazon saw that the app was not being well received by consumers only seven months into the launch as executive leadership decided to lay off half of the AMP staff back in October.
At my this time the app is still available for download and is still airing live shows.
Amazon is shutting down its live-radio app Amp, the company has confirmed to Billboard.
“We’ve made the difficult decision to close Amp,” an Amazon spokesperson said in a statement. “In creating Amp, we tried something that had never been done before and built a product that gave creators a place where they could build genuine connections with each other, and share a common love for music. We learned a lot about how live music communities interact in the process, which we are bringing to bear as we build new fan experiences at scale in Amazon Music.”
News of the shirtdown was first reported by Bloomberg.
Launched in March 2022, Amp allowed users to host their own shows by streaming music from a catalog of tens of millions of licensed songs from the three major labels, as well as indies including Beggars Group, PIAS, Believe and CD Baby. Though it was designed primarily for non-celebrity creators, Amp also hosted shows from high-profile artists including Pusha T, Tinashe, Travis Barker, Lil Yachty, Lindsey Stirling, Big Boi and Nicki Minaj, who brought her Apple Music show, Queen Radio, to the platform at launch. In September 2022, the platform also established a monthly fund to reward emerging U.S.-based creators for building loyal audiences on the app.
The Amp shuttering comes nearly a year after Business Insider reported that Amazon had laid off 150 employees at the app. At the time, the company confirmed to Billboard that it had chosen “to consolidate a few teams” at the division.
More widespread layoffs at Amazon came in January when the company announced it would jettison 18,000 employees, followed by its termination of an additional 9,000 employees in March. The layoffs affected workers across multiple divisions, including Amazon’s cloud computing unit AWS, its advertising business, gaming platform Twitch and stores division PXT. The cuts arrived following a surge in hiring amid the pandemic, during which Amazon doubled its employee count. But demand slowed once restrictions eased and people began venturing out of their homes again.
In March, following the announcement of the 9,000 additional layoffs, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said the company was in the midst of streamlining its operations due to the wobbly economy and the “uncertainty that exists in the near future.”
Live audio experiments flourished during the pandemic, with similar products including Clubhouse, Spotify Live (formerly Spotify Greenroom) and Twitter Spaces (now X Spaces) flooding the burgeoning space over a two-year period. But few gained traction: Spotify Live shut down in April 2023, while last month, Clubhouse rebranded itself as a social messaging app after waning in popularity once pandemic restrictions lifted. An outlier among these is Stationhead, which remains a popular vehicle to boost the streaming performance of new releases from A-list artists, including, recently, stars like Olivia Rodrigo and Ed Sheeran.