What is Amazon Build It and which concept devices can you preorder now?

Amazon is launching its own version of Kickstarter or Indiegogo. It's for concept products it plans to produce itself, so long as enough people preorder the concepts. Called Build It, it's actually an extension of the company's Day One Editions initiative.

What is Amazon's 'Build It' program?

A few years ago, Amazon launched Day One Editions, a program designed to offer early hardware, such as Echo Frames, which might not be ready or right for a global release. Now, Amazon is offering Build It, a new way for it to gauge consumer interest in concepts it wants to build.

According to Amazon, if a concept reaches its preorder goal within 30 days, it'll build it. Supporters will be among the first to get their hands on the concept. You'll only be charged if and when the product ships. If the preorder goal is not met, the product will not be built, and you won't be charged.

For a limited time, you will receive a special locked-in price when you preorder. This promo will be available for 30 days.

Can you preorder 'Build It' concepts now?

There a no products currently available for preorder, but you can sign up for Build It updates here.

Amazon originally launched Build It on 17 February 2021. At launch, it offered three Alexa-enabled devices you could preorder: A smart sticky note printer, a smart nutrition scale, and a smart cuckoo clock. If they each hit their preorder goals, Amazon would build them all. 

Of the three designs offered, only the sticky note printer achieved its funding goal.

Smart Sticky Note Printer

• Cost: $89.99
• Status: Fully funded, units arrived with customers in October 2021
• Link: Amazon US

This smart sticky note printer prints your shopping lists, to-do lists, reminders, and calendar events. It uses thermal technology, so it never needs ink or toner, and Amazon said the paper rolls are easy to refill. All you have to do is ask Alexa to print something - even puzzles - to get started. 

Smart Nutrition Scale

• Cost: $34.99
  
• Status: Did not achieve funding

This smart scale pairs with an Echo Show to display nutritional information for "thousands of ingredients and food based on weight". To get started, simply say, 'Alexa, ask Smart Scale how much sugar is in these oranges' or 'Alexa, ask Smart Scale to weigh 200 calories of raspberries".

Smart Cuckoo Clock

• Cost: $79.99
• Status: Did not achieve funding

This cuckoo clock works with Alexa and features 60 LEDs, a mechanical pop-out cuckoo bird, and built-in speakers for timers and alarms. It can mount on a wall or shelf and is configurable to sound and motion at certain times. To get started, just say, 'Alexa, set a 10-minute timer".

Diane von Furstenberg Echo Dot

• Cost: $59.99
• Status: Midnight Kiss fully funded, units shipped in December 2021
• Link: Amazon US

A bit of a departure from the first wave of releases, Amazon then announced three limited-edition Echo Dots emblazoned with patterns by fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg.

There were three different designs in the Build It lineup, but only the Midnight Kiss pattern was funded. 

Are 'Build It' concepts available in the UK?

Currently, Build It concepts seem limited to the US. We will update this guide when we learn more about international availability.

Want to know more?

Check out Amazon's blog post for more details. We also have this guide on Day One Editions.

Source : https://www.pocket-lint.com/gadgets/news/amazon/155760-what-is-amazon-build-it-and-which-concepts-can-you-preorder