10 Devices to Make Life Easier—and Better

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While AI mania may have everyone on high alert about the forthcoming robot wars, we’ve generally found that technology has been (dare we say?) a good thing. Voice-enabled assistants, touchscreen tablets, HD entertainment systems, and omnipresent high-speed internet have made modern living much easier in a lot of ways—just ask any parent who just gave their kid a tablet for a long plane ride.

That’s why Amazon has created a custom shopping list dedicated to these devices that streamline and optimize our lives, well aware that searching through the entire Everything Store can be overwhelming. Now a quick scan reveals so many good things on offer, you might just start clicking-to-buy right away. After all, with the holidays approaching, why not get that head start now, for someone you love or just for yourself? Below are just a few options that caught our eye.

Fire HD 10

It can feel like we’re always en route from one destination to the next—in a car, a plane, a bus, on foot. The best way to keep all that travel lively and even productive is to have a multifunctional tablet on hand. This one is exactly that: a book, a media player, a portable laptop, an MP3 player, and so much more. Do some work, keep the kids entertained (that is to say, distracted), and catch up on some shows, all while making it from point A to B.

Fire TV Soundbar

What good is a sick TV setup if you need to put on closed captioning to understand what’s going on? This sleek, elegantly designed speaker will give you an audio experience so immersive and crisp, you’ll feel like you live inside your TV.

Pet Tag

Keep tabs on your beloved furry friends with these QR-code-enabled ID tags. Now no matter what mischief they get into, they’ll always make it back home safe and sound for supper (just like you, back in the day!).

Outdoor 4 Camera

Keep an eye on your house and your most precious cargo no matter where your travels take you. This multicamera wireless system includes two-way audio and motion-detected alerts so that you can check in even from the farthest corners of the world. And that kind of peace of mind is downright priceless.

40-Inch 1080p LED Smart TV

We spend so much time looking at small screens that we really need something extra-special to make us look up. Well, this eye-popping HD flatscreen is just the thing. From its built-in Apple AirPlay and Alexa capabilities to the stunningly sharp high-def specs, this baby really elevates the entertainment experience, be it for classic films, the latest sports, or (shh!) a reality-show binge.

Fire TV Stick 4K

This itty-bitty, sleek little device—hardly bigger than a thumb drive!—can magically turn any humdrum TV into a powerful streaming device enabled with all the features of the most up-to-date entertainment system. Want to stream shows? Play video games? Catch the latest in live sports? Pop this little bugger into your TV’s HDMI port and you’ve got it all, no problemo.

Echo Show 5

This upgraded new generation of the company’s classic virtual audio assistant features a handy touchscreen for a more interactive design and added functionality. Think of it as all the easy-to-use components you’ve become accustomed to, with added perks like video calls and at-a-glance visuals for calendars and reminders.

Max 7 Wifi Router

There’s no escaping the fact that the internet is a necessity for modern living. School, work, play—it’s all powered by the good ol’ World Wide Web. As such, every little corner of your house should be blanketed in high-speed access, even that bathroom way upstairs in the back of the house (where you take baths and, naturally, binge your faves). The Eero is here to make sure that every little nook and cranny has got that robust connection, even if, as always seems to be the case, everyone in the family is using it at the same time.

Bluetooth Keyboard Case for Amazon Fire HD 10

Sometimes modern life feels like it’s filled with too many options. Like when you’re traveling for work—do you really need your laptop, phone, and tablet along for the ride? Well, if you have a Bluetooth keyboard, you might just be able to ditch the full-fledged PC for a few days and let your tablet do the heavy lifting. Now your airplane food tray or hotel-room bed can be an impromptu office if need be.

Kindle Paperwhite

There’s something so simply beautiful about a Kindle—no bells and whistles, just reading. In our busy, crazy world, with all the alerts and distractions, there are few things better than curling up with and getting lost in a good book—and with this one, you can bring several, plus some magazines, along, all in one slim device.

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