Apps

Amazon’s iPhone App Can Give You X-Ray Vision – Don’t Get too Excited, It’s Just for Packages…

Amazon today released a load of news about its Black Friday Sale, which has already kicked off, because that how retailers do things nowadays. Buried below the fold, (that’s newspaper talk, kids), was the news about a new feature for the Amazon iPhone app called Package X-Ray.

Don’t Spoil the Surprise with Package X-Ray: Starting this week, customers with an iPhone can simply scan the barcode using their camera icon within the free Amazon shopping app and the items that are inside the box will display on screen.

The new feature is intended to help Amazon customers decide what needs to opened immediately, like holiday gifts, and what packages can safely be opened at a later time, like that gross of toilet paper you ordered. You can then sort out the packages without running the risk of spousal or child unit accidentally seeing a gift intended for them while you open a package.

The feature only works on Amazon packages tied to your account, so other users can’t scan the barcode with their Amazon app and see what’s inside. Well, unless they share an Amazon account with you, then all bets are off.

The Amazon app for iOS is free, and is available in the App Store. [GET IT HERE]

Amazon Black Friday

The Amazon Black Friday sale has kicked off, and will likely run until next year’s Black Friday sale. (Kidding, it will probably last awhile though, so keep you eyes open for some cool bargains.)

Here’s a list from the Amazon press release, listing what will go on sale during the sale:

Amazon Devices

  • Save $40 on Amazon Echo, only $139.99
  • Save $10 on Echo Dot, only $39.99
  • Save $40 on Amazon Tap, only $89.99
  • Fire tablet, only $33.33
  • Save $25 on Fire Kids Edition tablet, only $74.99
  • Save $30 on Fire HD 8, only $59.99
  • Save $30 on Kindle, only $49.99
  • Save $30 on Kindle for Kids Bundle, only $69.99
  • Save $20 on Kindle Paperwhite, only $99.99
  • Save $30 on Kindle Voyage, only $169.99
  • Save $15 on Amazon Fire TV, only $74.99
  • Save $10 on Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote, only $29.99

Electronics

  • Lowest prices on select Samsung, LG, and Sony TVs
  • 32” 720p LED TV, $69.99
  • 43” 4K Ultra HD Smart TV, $199
  • 32” TCL 720p Smart TV – Amazon’s Choice, $125
  • 55” LG 4K Smart TV, $398
  • Premium brand 60” 4K Ultra HD Smart TV, $599
  • Premium brand 55” 1080p Smart LED TV, $298
  • Top-selling Blu-ray Disc Player, $49.99
  • Denon HEOS 1 Wireless Speaker, $99
  • Sennheiser HD 598 Cs Closed Back Headphone, $99.95
  • Fujifilm Instax Mini 26 + Film Bundle, $49.99
  • Blue Yeti USB Microphone, $89.99
  • Blue Snowball iCE Condenser Microphone, $39.99
  • Sphero Star Wars BB-8 Droid, $99.99

Toys

  • Save up to 60% on Disney favorites including toys, apparel and more
  • Save up to 50% on select toys from Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, and more
  • Save up to 40% on select Lionel train sets
  • Save up to 20% on 3Doodler pen sets
  • Save up to 50% on select Hape toys
  • Save up to 30% on select Zoomer products

Fashion & Beauty

  • Save 20-30% on select clothing, shoes, jewelry, and watches for women, men, kids, and baby

Tools, Home Improvement & Smart Home

  • Samsung SmartThings Hub, $49.99
  • Sensi Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat – works with Amazon Alexa, $102
  • Nest Thermostat (3rd Generation) – works with Amazon Alexa, $199
  • Chamberlain Whisper Drive Garage Door Opener, $199.99
  • $25 off $100 orders of select Bosch, Makita, and DEWALT tools
  • Save up to 25% on select Dremel tools

Kitchen & Home

  • Save $150 on a Delonghi Super Automatic Coffee Machine
  • Save up to 30% off select Precious Moments ornaments
  • Save 36% on Black & Decker Dustbuster Cordless Lithium Hand Vacuum
  • Save 25% on select Brother Sewing Machines
  • Save 25% on the Coravin Model Eight Wine System
  • Save 20% on BISSELL PowerEdge Pet Hard Floor Corded Vacuum
  • Hoover WindTunnel Air Steerable Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner, $79
  • Save up to 25% on select mattresses and bedroom furniture

Pets

  • Save up to 60% on select PetSafe products, including Drinkwell Fountains and Pet Doors
  • Save 65% on select Outward Hound Ripstop Dog Life Jacket Life Preservers
  • Save 62% on select Nylabone Dura Chew Toys
  • Save 62% on select Simple Solution Dog Training Pads
  • Save up to 49% on PetSafe Healthy Pet Water Stations
  • Save 20% on the Petcube Play
  • Kurgo Waterproof Car Bench Seat Cover, $28.79
  • Paradise Toys Knots N Blocks, $14.99

Sports & Outdoor

  • Save 28% on the Razor McGrath Dirt Rocket Electric Motocross Bike
  • Coleman 8-Person Red Canyon Tent, $99.99
  • Intex Explorer K2 Kayak, $70.99
  • Save up to 33% on select High Sierra Backpacks

Video Games

  • Save 50% on Rocksmith Remastered Gold Box
  • Save up to 50% on Just Dance 2017 Gold Box

Automotive

  • Save 20% on the ScanTool 427201 OBDLink LX Bluetooth
  • Save 20% on the Chemical Guys 101 Detailing Bucket Kit
  • Chemical Guys Hex-Logic Polishing Pad, only $5.95

Lawn & Garden

  • GreenWorks 13 Amp 20” Corded Snow Thrower, $109.99
  • $50 Amazon Gift Card with select Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller purchases
  • Save on select iDevices iGrill Thermometers

TV & Movies

  • $50 off The Walking Dead: Season 6 Blu-ray Gift Set
  • Save 28% on “Home Alone: 25th Anniversary Ultimate Collector’s Edition” Blu-Ray Set, $29.99

Books

  • Save 64% on The Make Ahead Cook by America’s Test Kitchen
  • Save 63% on Slow Cooker Revolution by America’s Test Kitchen
  • Save 52% on National Geographic Rarely Seen: Photographs of the Extraordinary by National Geographic and Stephen Alvarez
  • Save 33% on Make: Paper Inventions: Machines that Move, Drawings that Light Up, and Wearables and Structures You Can Cut, Fold, and Roll by Kathy Ceceri
  • Save 20% on the Game of Thrones: Songs of Ice and Fire Series by George R. R. Martin

WHEW! For more sale items, visit the Amazon Black Friday website.

Chris Hauk

Chris is a Senior Editor at Mactrast. He lives somewhere in the deep Southern part of America, and yes, he has to pump in both sunshine and the Internet.