Amazon renames FreeTime to Amazon Kids to make the service less confusing

Amazon FreeTime appeared in 2012 As a way for children to enjoy and experiment with technology and for parents to easily monitor their children’s use. However, the name (at least to me) sounds like a service to help people spend less time on their electronic devices. To fix this, Amazon is renaming FreeTime to “Amazon Kids” and FreeTime Unlimited to “Amazon Kids Plus.”

Besides the updated naming scheme, Amazon is also Giving a new look to the service. In the next few weeks, Amazon will introduce a new home screen for Amazon Kids, recommended for children aged eight years and over, to try out what the “adult tablet” looks like by changing the design to look like a traditional tablet. The service previously had a simplified interface where kids could switch between one app at a time. Parents can use Amazon Dashboard To modify age filters to determine what kind of content appears on the home screen for their children. The new home screen also includes quick access to iHeartRadio’s kid-friendly music stations.

Amazon today also announced that kids will soon be able to use Fire tablets to broadcast ads via any Alexa device in their homes. Their parents will have to agree to every advertisement, so that children cannot always ask their parents to come to their room for snacks.

Amazon Kids is free, but Kids Plus requires a $ 5 monthly subscription, or $ 3 a month if you’re already paying for Amazon Prime. The paid service provides exclusive access to more Spanish-language audiobooks, books, shows, movies, games and media.