A $55 Amazon Fire Tablet That Charges Wirelessly and Runs Like a Champ
This site may earn affiliate commissions from the links on this page. Terms of use(Opens in a new window) .
Some gadgets just quietly make your life easier, and this Fire HD 8 Plus is one of them. It's not trying to replace your laptop or run a gaming empire, but it will absolutely hold its own for streaming, reading, note-taking, and even video calls with your relatives who still use Facebook. It's $54.99 right now, which means you're saving 54%, making it cheaper than some phone chargers and way more useful.
First up, this tablet's 8-inch HD display is great for binge-watching, scrolling, or giving kids something to do besides asking for snacks. It's crisp, bright, and just the right size for hands of all sizes without being too tiny to read or too bulky to hold. Plus, the screen is tough enough to survive most minor chaos (read: coffee tables, backpacks, and gravity).
Performance-wise, this tablet got a 30% faster processor upgrade, so flipping between apps feels smoother and loading times don't test your patience. You get 3GB of RAM, which is more than enough for daily stuff like video calls, Zoom school, and checking five tabs at once. Bonus: It supports wireless charging so you can just drop it on a pad and walk away.
The Fire HD 8 Plus also plays super nicely with Alexa for hands-free help, and it can double as a smart home hub with Show Mode. It feels like having a mini assistant that also plays Netflix and lets you knock out some light work. And for those who travel or commute, the battery easily stretches over a full day of use without flinching.
At just $54.99, this Fire HD 8 Plus is a no-brainer backup tablet, travel buddy, or kid-proof content machine. And honestly, saving 54% on something this handy might be the highlight of your week.
Need more affordable upgrades? Our gaming laptop deals roundup has plenty of picks that go way beyond the basics.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
These 5 Easy Amazon Alexa Tricks Make for a Smarter Smart Home This Summer
With summer now very much around the corner, you've got better things to do than worry about your smart home. But with garden parties and the pool calling your name, there has never been a better time to make sure that your accessories are working for you, not against you. Smart home devices bring a lot of convenience to our day-to-day lives, but that doesn't mean they can't be improved. Amazon's Alexa" target="_self is one of the most popular choices, and you can tell it to turn the lights on or off, play your favorite music, set a timer for you while cooking in the kitchen and more. But you don't have to use the same Alexa as everyone else, and you can really upgrade your experience with just a few customizations. If you've got a smart speaker like the Echo Dot, an Echo Show 15, the powerful Echo Studio or the rotating Echo Show 10, there are plenty of ways to make Alexa feel more helpful and less like just another gadget. A few small changes can seriously improve your experience. From making hands-free calls to connecting Bluetooth and Wi-Fi or even using Alexa in the kitchen, there's a lot worth setting up. It might take a little effort to get everything just right, but once you do, your Alexa devices will feel like they're working for you instead of the other way around. Best Amazon Alexa Devices of 2025 See at Cnet When you ask Alexa to do something, such as play a song or turn on the lights, Alexa will say something like, "OK, turning on the lights." This is to help you determine why Alexa did something if it wasn't what you asked. If you don't want Alexa repeating what you just said, you can change that setting so that it plays a short sound instead of a voice response. To do so, open the Alexa app's More menu and select Settings > Talking with Alexa. Then toggle on the switch for Brief Mode. When you set up your Amazon Echo, the music service defaults to Amazon Music. If you use Spotify, Apple Music or another streamer, you may want to link your Echo to that instead. Go to Settings > Music & Podcasts, then link to a service. On the same page, tap Default Services and switch to your preferred music provider. Now the Echo will play from the music streaming service of your choice when you say, "Alexa, play music." Note that you can select defaults for family or personal listening. 'Alexa, Play Beyoncé': All the Alexa Music Commands You Need to Use See at Cnet If TV commercials keep triggering your Amazon Echo when they say "Alexa," you can change the wake word to something less likely to trigger the speaker. The other traditional options are Computer, Echo and Amazon, but there are several newer wake word additions you can use like Ziggy and Hey, Disney. If you want a change, just say, "Alexa, change the wake word" and make your selection. You can also open the Alexa app, go to Settings > Device Settings. Select your device, then tap the Settings icon and select Wake Word to make a choice. Unfortunately, you can't come up with your own name for the speaker, like "Tallulah" or "Digital Overlord." Best Smart Speakers for 2025 See at Cnet You don't always have time to search Amazon for something you're out of, like toilet paper. That's why it can be helpful to set up voice purchasing on your Amazon Echo, so Alexa can order products for you. To get started, you'll need to turn on voice ordering and 1-Click ordering. Open the Alexa app and navigate to Settings > Account Settings > Voice Purchasing > Purchasing controls > Select who can make purchases. For instance, you can set up a voice code or profile so that only you can make purchases when you type in a four-digit code. If you have multiple people in your house, you'll want to set up voice profiles for each member who uses the Echo speaker. This will help Alexa learn your voice and distinguish you from others in the house. To create voice profiles, go to Settings > Your Profile & Family > Voice ID and follow the onscreen prompts. You can make sure your voice profile is correctly set up by asking, "Alexa, who am I?" The voice assistant will say, "I'm talking to [your name]." If you have favorite customizations and settings, share them in the comments. Now that you've updated these six Echo settings, here are five creative uses for your Amazon Echo device, five essential tips for your new Echo device and CNET's roundup of every Alexa command you can give right now.
Business Wire
an hour ago
- Business Wire
INVESTOR ALERT: Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Investigates Claims on Behalf of Investors of Hims & Hers
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Hims & Hers Health, Inc. ('Hims & Hers' or the 'Company') (NYSE: HIMS). Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See Shares of Hims & Hers Health fell over 25% on June 23 after Novo Nordisk announced it was terminating its partnership with the company, citing 'deceptive marketing' and 'illegal mass compounding' of semaglutide-based weight-loss treatments. The collaboration between the two healthcare companies launched in April, and allowed Hims to offer Wegovy through its telehealth platform. According to Novo Nordisk, Hims continued selling compounded versions of semaglutide even after the FDA determined that Novo Nordisk's Wegovy was no longer in shortage. To learn more about the Hims & Hers investigation, go to or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310). Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, on X, or on Facebook. Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP ( Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner.
New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
Ex-TV news anchor Stephanie Hockridge convicted in massive scheme to fraudulently obtain COVID relief funds
Stephanie Hockridge, a former Phoenix news anchor turned fintech entrepreneur, has been convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a federal case involving hundreds of millions of dollars in COVID relief funds. A jury in the Northern District of Texas found Hockridge guilty on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. She was acquitted on four additional counts of wire fraud. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 10. Hockridge's conviction was announced on Friday. Advertisement 6 Stephanie Hockridge is a former television news anchor who worked in Phoenix. Facebook / Stephanie Hockridge 6 Hockridge was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Facebook / Stephanie Hockridge According to federal prosecutors and investigative reports, Hockridge and her husband, Nathan Reis, fraudulently obtained over $300,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans for themselves, including one application that falsely claimed he was a veteran and an African American. Advertisement The couple's Scottsdale-based fintech firm, Blueacorn, which they co-founded in 2020, processed over $12.5 billion in PPP loans — with somewhere between $250 million and $300 million going to the company's ownership — including Hockridge. Blueacorn received over $1 billion in taxpayer-funded processing fees for facilitating PPP loans but spent less than 1% ($8.6 million) on fraud prevention and only $13.7 million on eligibility verification, according to a congressional investigation. 6 Hockridge and her husband, Nathan Reis, are alleged to have fraudulently obtained hundreds of millions of dollars in PPP loans. KPNX The PPP was an $800 billion federal loan initiative launched in 2020 to help small businesses keep workers employed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisement It was part of a broader effort — including grants, tax credits, and emergency loans — aimed at stabilizing the US economy and preventing mass business closures and layoffs. Investigators alleged that the couple used the proceeds to enrich themselves personally. Congress said it obtained a video created by Reis and Hockridge showing off large amounts of cash in a bar on Dec. 21, 2021. According to public records, Reis relocated to San Juan, Puerto Rico, which has no capital gains tax, following his work at Blueacorn. An Oct. 8, 2021, video obtained by congressional staffers which was geolocated to San Juan showed Hockridge and Reis on the balcony of a luxury beachfront apartment. Advertisement According to a congressional report, Blueacorn routinely failed to properly vet applicants and charged illegal 'success fees' to borrowers — violating Small Business Administration rules. 6 The couple is alleged to have pocketed anywhere between $250 million and $300 million in profit as a result of the scheme. Facebook / Stephanie Hockridge The congressional report detailed how Blueacorn's leadership instructed staff to prioritize speed over accuracy. Internal messages showed reviewers were told to 'push through' questionable applications, ignore red flags, and skip identity checks unless fraud was 'extremely obvious.' Some staff processed hundreds of loans with no training — sometimes within 30 seconds each. 6 Reis is alleged to have fraudulently obtained loans by claiming he was black. Facebook / Stephanie Hockridge The subcommittee also uncovered the existence of a 'VIPPP' program that allowed high-dollar clients to bypass standard review protocols. Founders dismissed smaller loan applicants with phrases like 'delete them,' 'who f–king cares' and 'they go elsewhere.' Hockridge, 42, was once a familiar face in Arizona households. She spent seven years as an anchor at KNXV-TV, the ABC affiliate in Phoenix, and had previously worked as a reporter for CBS News Radio in London. She was nominated for an Emmy and named 'Favorite Newscaster' by Arizona Foothills Magazine. Advertisement Reis is scheduled to stand trial in August 2025 on related charges. Prosecutors allege he played a lead role in directing the company's operations and handling its financial distributions. 6 Hockridge spent seven years anchoring the news at KNXV-TV in Phoenix. Facebook / Stephanie Hockridge Hockridge's conviction marks one of the highest-profile PPP fraud cases to date involving a public figure. Fraud related to COVID-19 relief programs was unprecedented in US history, with losses estimated in the hundreds of billions — possibly up to $1 trillion. Advertisement The PPP, Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and unemployment insurance programs were especially vulnerable — with watchdogs reporting widespread misuse, insider abuse and systemic failures in fraud prevention. The Post has sought comment from Hockridge and Reis.
