Since November 2011, rumors have been circulating about Amazon's intention to produce its own smartphones in addition to the Kindle Fire tablets. According to a number of sources, a "smart phone" from a well-known online store is allegedly already undergoing testing. The company's press service does not officially confirm this information. However, it does not refute either.
Amazon's plans to release its own smartphone were reported by Bloomberg. It also named the manufacturer of the future gadget - Foxconn International Holdings. It was emphasized that Foxconn is a well-known collector of popular mobile phones, including the Apple iPhone. It was also reported that Amazon is buying a package of patents for important wireless data transmission technologies. In addition, it became known about the "acquisition" by the online store of the developer of three-dimensional maps UpNext, which, according to experts, are much more convenient to use in "smart phones", and not in tablets.
In the end, the network began to write that the test sample of the Amazon smartphone is already ready and is undergoing beta testing. Allegedly, the information leaked from suppliers of electronic components for the future model. According to them, the new smartphone is a kind of miniature copy of the Kindle Fire tablet. The device is based on Android OS. The diagonal of the display is about 4-5 inches. These anonymous sources did not provide a more detailed specification.
The arrival of the gadget in mass production and on sale is predicted at the end of 2012 or at the beginning of 2013. Analysts suggest that its retail price, as in the case of the tablet, will not be higher, or even lower than the cost price, and will be only $ 150-170. And the manufacturing company will continue to receive profit from the sale of content for the device - music, films, e-books, etc.
It is reasonable to assume that in this regard, the factory firmware of the smartphone will not do without a number of locks, so that users cannot download content distributed by direct competitors of Amazon. At least in the United States. When buying gadgets, Russians should also take into account the availability of nearby wireless Internet networks. Without them, using the cloud storage of an American retailer will be very problematic.
However, it is too early to plan the purchase of an Amazon smartphone for residents of any country. So far, only rumors about the acquisition of patents have been confirmed, and then indirectly - Matt Gordon moved to work at Amazon. At Intellectual Ventures Management LLC, he served as Acquisition Director, and at Amazon, he will most likely be responsible for investments and patent portfolio development. But when you consider that Amazon is involved in several large IP litigations at once, such a strengthening of positions seems logical. The Taiwanese company Foxconn is already actively cooperating with Amazon - at its factories they assemble not only mobile phones, but also Kindle Fire tablets.
Mark Zuckerberg has already denied information about the creation of a Facebook phone, rumors about which were also actively spread by Bloomberg. It is possible that Amazon will find it unprofitable to compete with the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy and will focus on improving its tablet - hence all the patent acquisitions. By the way, they say that the Kindle Fire 2 will go on sale in August 2012.
