Updated on 06-04-2014 by Malarie Gokey: Post updated with news of a June 18th Amazon event in Seattle where the Amazon Fire Phone is expected to launch.
Amazon's phone may launch at June 18 event in Seattle
Amazon announced that it will hold an event on June 18 in Seattle. Although the company did not say what will be released at the event, it did release a teaser trailer. The video shows Amazon customers getting really excited about some device they're holding in their hands. The device in question is widely believed to be the the long-awaited Amazon smartphone.
What will it look like?
leaked photo of the Amazon Fire 3D, courtesy of BGR
BGR first posted leaked photos of what it claims is the phone along with a host of details about the device, many of which confirm earlier rumors. Don't worry that the phone is a bit ugly, the early picture shows it covered in a protective case to hide its true design away from prying eyes.
It's no longer camera shy though, and BGR.com has published a picture of the phone without the casing. It's a render of the phone made for internal use, but apparently it's an authentic look at the final design. It's easy to see from where the company has taken inspiration.
From the back, it looks uncannily like an iPhone 4S in a Bumper, and the speakers and centrally mounted charging port also remind us of the iPhone. Around the front, there's a Samsung-style home button below the screen, a neatly chamfered edge to the display, and a trio of side-mounted buttons. According to BGR's source, the phone is quite large, but the 3D screen and gesture controls make it acceptable to use with one hand.
Amazon's Smartphone (Fire phone) will have:
3D screen and six cameras: In March 2014, we learned that the device may have six cameras. From these pictures, it appears to have four extra front-facing cameras, each on a corner of the screen. These cameras work with the internal gyrometer, accelerometer, and "other sensors" to help produce a 3D depth effect without the need for 3D glasses. The phone will track your eyes/face and adjust the position of items on the screen as you move them. Previous attempts at glasses-free 3D (see: Nintendo 3DS) haven't worked out well because they required a parallax barrier, which hurts the visual quality of the screen (and your eyes after you stare at it).
Gesture controls: The 3D screen will be accompanied by a comprehensive collection of gesture controls, which reveal further information about icons and apps when the phone is tilted in a certain direction. Several examples have been provided to BGR. When using the IMDb app, ratings will appear on top of thumbnail images when the phone is tilted to the side. Similarly, in Yelp, location ratings will show up over pins on the map view when using the same gesture.
Tilting gestures aren't limited to third-party apps either. In the standard interface, menus slide into place when the phone is tilted. In the messaging app, a flick to the side when writing a message will bring in the option to add a picture, or if you're using the weather app, a detailed forecast screen will show up. This way, on-screen buttons and clutter are minimized.
Photo via BGR
Prime Data: Amazon may sell the Fire smartphone with a unique data plan currently known as Prime Data. Details aren't clear at this stage, but there's talk it'll be driven by AT&T's network, and that it may come with similar benefits offered to regular Amazon Prime subscribers. This could mean unlimited streaming of video content, easy access to music stored in Amazon's Cloud Player, and other bonuses too. It's being described as a key selling point for the phone.
3D interface: Amazon will supposedly include some nice 3D wallpapers and include the effect in its book, music, and other digital stores. By adjusting your phone, you can see objects you want to buy from different perspectives and angles. A source also tells BGR that Amazon is working to secure several high-profile 3D apps/games.
4.7-inch screen: Like many high-end Android phones, and the upcoming iPhone 6, the Amazon phone will probably have a 4.7-inch screen. The resolution won't break records, though. It's said to have a 1280 x 720 pixel LCD screen.
Decent specs: BGR believes it will have a "Qualcomm Snapdragon processor," 2GB of RAM, and a heavily modified version of Google's Android OS, like the Kindle Fire tablets. This seems plausible. Previous rumors have pointed toward a high-end Snapdragon 801 processor (this is what the Galaxy S5 uses).
Amazon may show it this June
We don't know Amazon's plans for release, but many sources claim it's coming this summer, likely in June. BGR, Wall Street Journal, and Recode are the loudest voices saying it could be revealed in early summer and released around September.
That's all we currently know, but don't forget; there's always a small chance it could have a built-in airbag.
Post originally published on May 1, 2014.
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