Categories: Mobile Phones News   Tags: , ,

Not content with launching its own tablet, Amazon is now reportedly working on a smartphone. We’ve heard the rumour before, but now comes word it’s linking up with iPhone maker Foxconn to produce the handset.

Our prediction? Budget. Android. iPhone killer.

People familiar with the matter (who didn’t want to be named) told Bloomberg about Amazon’s plans. The big hint is that the bookseller is looking to acquire patents that cover wireless tech, and help defend it against infringing other manufacturers’. So if Nokia is thinking of accusing Amazon of using its patents, like it did with Google’s Nexus 7, it might be out of luck.

Amazon launched its first tablet, the Kindle Fire, last year. Though we’re still waiting to get our hands on it here in the UK. It’s cheap cheap cheap, with Amazon only making a slight profit on each unit. But Amazon is keeping the price low in order to get it in as many pairs of hands as possible. Then it makes its money off the back of the ebooks, films and music people buy from Amazon to enjoy on the device.

If it can apply the same business model to a mobile phone, it could well make huge inroads into Apple and Samsung’s market share. There are no specs given for Amazon’s phone. But a budget blower with a decent screen would land Apple and its pricey iPhone in trouble.

Image credit: CNET

Source: Bloomberg

Be Sociable, Share!
  • Samsungblue

    My prediction…..that your prediction , although predictable won’t happen. iphone users don’t want a budget anything. Cool is king , looking good, showing everybody how stylish and savvy they are. Can you imagine pulling a phone out and proudly telling everyone its an Amazon phone? This will take sales from other Androids, nothing more.

  • http://www.facebook.com/sdigardner Simon Gardner

    My prediction… Joe Svetlik will continue to write articles supposedly doubting almost anything Apple, without any real thought or proof!

    I’m always interested in hearing how others are pushing technology forward or looking to surpass Apple, but you’ve got to back it up with actual facts not just constant conjecture and guess work – you just lose credibility!

    I used to enjoy reading Electricpig, but Joe’s articles are fast making a mockery of a site that once had reliable and insightful technology reporting!

  • http://twitter.com/SpicedOut65 Blue

    Electricpig seems to have two standing views. Either “anything made by Apple is crap” or, as in this case, “this is the non-Apple device that will bring the evil fruit empire crashing down in flames”. I don’t know what Apple has done to you but change the record as it’s starting to effect your reputation. If I see any Apple product or service mentioned in your headline then I skip it 9 times out of 10.

    If you had a point, based on actual facts then I would applaud your constructive criticism, but this “article” is a perfect point in case. It contains next to no relevant facts and amounts to nothing more an Apple haters selfish fantasy. Be objective. Be factual. It’s why I added Electricpig to my list of favourites.

    You can’t even be objective enough to tag Apple even though they are named in the headline, they are the company that you are aiming at purring most of the piece and they just happen to be the most successful business in the sector that Amazon are supposedly trying to get a larger share of.

    Save the self serving fantasies for the moisturiser & tissues tonight.

  • http://twitter.com/Patrick_J73 Patrick

    Yes it many be an Apple Killer ( I own a Orange San Diego ),
    But apple have itunes, say what you want about Apple they have got that right. Yes the cpu and screen size is small next to the likes of just about every Android mobile over £100 ( huawei g300 ) but iTunes is great.

    They have a walled garden etc but My wifes ipod touch does not seem to be having anywhere near as many popups ( been NONE ) while she goes round the internet like my android phone does.

    I’m no iSheep but if they get their act together and make at least a 4″ phone and dont charge the earth for it sim free then maybe I will go back ( i do own 525 apps for iOS).
    But so far Android Phones and some windows do the screen size i feel is about right.

  • Ned Nutty

    This will take some Android sales. Maybe three iPhone sales.

    The iPad Mini will erase the Kindle.

  1. WikiCell: Food packaging you can eat
  2. Saving endangered fish with the SafetyNet
  3. Upcycling: Designing the cardboard chair

Hot chat, right here!


Our most commented stories right now...