Dive Brief:
- Amplify on Wednesday announced a new pricing scheme, along with new tools, resources, and accessories.
- Implementing the Amplify System will now cost schools or districts $359 per user during the first year, followed by $60 per year for the following two years, effectively saving $118 per user (25%).
- Additionally, the company announced the launch of the Amplify Market, which contains vetted K-12 apps, as well as a Quiz Builder app, an Assignments app, a Playlist Builder lesson plan app, a Support app, a $45 tablet case, and a $30 wired keyboard made by Belkin.
Dive Insight:
It looks like Amplify is wasting no time making a play for the ground lost by Apple's iPad recently. Long claiming a huge chunk of the classroom device market, Apple's tablet suffered a major blow last week when the Los Angeles Unified School District canceled a $1 billion contract to put the devices in the hands of each of its over 640,000 students. The decision followed plenty of controversy, and several tech firms looking to cement their presence in the classroom are sure to up their game in a bid to have the device of choice for the nation's second-largest school district.
That said, Amplify is making a strong case for why it should be on RFP shortlists. A 25% price reduction is a strong argument in and of itself, but the education-specific additional features, including an educator-vetted app marketplace, as well as the up-front suggestion to purchase accompanying keyboards for standardized tests, make a strong argument.
