Amazon Relay

Rating: 4.6	Downloads: 1,000,000+
Category: Business	Offer by: Amazon Mobile LLC

Amazon Relay is an application designed for Amazon Echo Show devices and compatible Fire Tablets, transforming these smart home devices into portable Wi-Fi hotspots. It allows you to share your home or cellular network’s internet connection wirelessly, creating a temporary local network accessible via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. This is ideal for users needing temporary internet access away from traditional networks.

The key value of Amazon Relay lies in its convenience for sharing internet from your Echo device, perfect for travelers, visitors, or when primary Wi-Fi is unavailable. It enables seamless sharing of connectivity, supporting devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops without needing complex setups, making offline content like audiobooks or music library accessible via Wi-Fi within your hotspot. This enhances mobility and provides flexible internet solutions.

App Features

• Wireless Network Sharing: Amazon Relay scans available home networks and allows you to share internet with nearby devices via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. This core feature eliminates the need for separate portable hotspots, providing easy internet access anywhere within range of your primary network.
• Device Compatibility & Management: The app supports connecting multiple client devices simultaneously, typically limited only by the source network’s capacity. Within the Amazon Relay interface, users can view connected devices and manage access settings, ensuring a smooth experience for various gadgets.
• Seamless Setup with Alexa: Leverage the familiar Alexa voice assistant or companion app to initiate the sharing process. The integration streamlines activation, potentially allowing voice commands for simple tasks like turning Relay ‘on’, and provides status updates effortlessly.
• Battery and Power Awareness: Amazon Relay provides notifications if your Echo Show or Fire Tablet’s battery is low, especially relevant for portable models. This ensures users know when it’s time to recharge the source device for continued hotspot operation.
• Secure Connection Sharing: When enabled, Relay creates a secure network, preventing unauthorized access and protecting shared internet from external prying. This feature is particularly important for privacy and security when sharing your home network.
• Offline Content Access: Once connected via the hotspot, client devices can access content stored locally on the Echo Show (like audiobooks or photos) without needing an active data connection from the source device’s cellular plan (if applicable). This is useful for accessing specific media files without consuming cellular data.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Convenience for Echo Owners
• Easy Setup with Alexa Integration
• Simple User Interface
• Access to Offline Content

Cons:

• Limited Range from Source Device
• Dependent on Source Network Speed/Strength
• Potential Impact on Source Device Performance
• Requires Proximity to Source Echo/Fire Tablet

Similar Apps

App Name	Highlights
Boomerang by Amazon	This popular app offers automatic photo and video backup from Fire Tablet cameras, leveraging the device’s capabilities much like Relay does for connectivity sharing.
Amazon Parental Controls	Focuses on managing content access for children, providing a different layer of control compared to the connectivity features of apps like Amazon Relay.
Car Thing	Designed to transform smartphones into car dashboards using voice (Alexa) and display (phone screen), offering a smart driving companion unlike Relay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which Amazon Echo Show devices support the Amazon Relay feature?
A: Amazon Relay is currently available on Echo Show devices equipped with the necessary hardware. Check the official Amazon device listing page for the most up-to-date compatibility information before purchasing.

Q: How do I actually share my internet connection using Amazon Relay?
A: Open the Alexa app or use voice commands on your compatible Echo Show. Navigate to the ‘More’ section, find the ‘Sharing’ option, and select ‘Amazon Relay’. Then choose your home network and start sharing; nearby devices can connect to the displayed network.

Q: Is there a monthly fee for using Amazon Relay?
A: No, Amazon Relay is free to use, provided the source Echo Show or Fire Tablet is connected to an active internet source (home Wi-Fi or cellular data plan, if applicable). There are no subscription charges for the basic hotspot function.

Q: Will using Amazon Relay drain my Echo device’s battery quickly? Will my cellular data be used if I’m away from home?
A: Using Amazon Relay can increase battery drainage on the source device, especially when sharing cellular data. When sharing home Wi-Fi, no cellular data is used. If sharing your device’s cellular data, the hotspot function itself uses data. Monitor battery levels and data usage accordingly.

Q: Can I use Amazon Relay with a Fire Tablet? Are the steps different?
A: Yes, the Amazon Relay app is also available on compatible Fire Tablets. The setup process is similar to the Echo Show version, primarily through the Alexa app on your phone or via the device’s interface. Check compatibility for your specific Fire Tablet model.

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