Amazon Set To Launch 3D Smartphone On 18 June

Amazon is set to launch a 3D smartphone at an event in Seattle on 18 June, following years of speculation that it has been preparing a mobile phone to complement its successful range of Kindle tablets.

The online retailer has posted a video showing a number of people liberally blurting out superlatives whilst viewing a handheld device just out of shot, although one eagle-eyed Google+ user has managed to spot part of a smartphone in the video (pictured below).

Even Amazon’s webpage for the event suggests that the device in question will be a smartphone, with journalists, developers and any member of the public able to request an invite to the launch, which will be hosted by CEO Jeff Bezos.

Amazon 3D smartphone

Reports suggest the smartphone will use retina-tracking technology to make it appear as though images are floating on the screen, while it is believed Qualcomm will be providing the processors.

The success of the Kindle Fire tablet has led to persistent rumours of an Amazon smartphone, but any such device would enter a competitive market currently dominated by Apple and Samsung. However, Amazon likely believes that the 3D technology would be a key differentiator, especially since no other manufacturer has managed to consolidate itself as the third largest in the world.

The company has recently hired a Windows Phone veteran for a ‘secret project’ and has made a number of mobile related acquisitions, including mapping provider UpNext and a Siri-like startup.

Any Kindle smartphone would likely use a forked version of Android designed to push Amazon’s retail business and online services, such as Amazon Prime Instant Video. This could mean that the device is cheaper so it can act as a vehicle for the sales of apps, games, films and music, while the company would also be able to collect data on maps, calls and software usage.

Earlier this year, Amazon launched a $99 (£59.51) television set-top box called Fire TV, which hopes to compete with the likes of Apple and Google in an increasingly crowded market.

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