Amazon 3D Smart Phone Release Date: Details Continue To Surface About the Potentially Free Device
ByDetails are still somewhat secretive, but various sources, including the Wall Street Journal and Tech Crunch have confirmed Amazon's plans to launch two smart phones. The release date is still unknown, but according to Tech Crunch, the premier of its high tech, 3D phone won't be this year.
Amazon's plan, Tech Crunch reports, is to produce two phones - an eye-tracking, 3D machine with four cameras and another, more basic device. According to the tech site jessicalessin.com, the non 3D phone might be offered for free - a potential nightmare for competitors like Apple, the site said. Thus far, Amazon has denied the reports.
"We have no plans to offer a phone this year, and if we were to launch a phone in the future, it would not be free," an Amazon spokesman said on Sept. 8.
Still, jessicalessin.com and recent reports from Tech Crunch leave open the possibility of a free smart phone.
The two phones, according to Tech Crunch, are restricted to a metal case exposing only the phone's screen in Amazon Lab 126. They cannot leave the building for any reason, which, Tech Crunch reports, is actually standard procedure for tech companies on the brink of an exciting new product.
The expensive model, or "Duke" and "Smith" as it has been called in code by Amazon developers, won't be 3D in the traditional sense, but will create that effect by clever use of the four cameras appearing on its corners, Tech Crunch reported. By tracking the eye and head movements of its users, the camera will induce the user face to move in response to the user.
"Theoretically, this will provide a more accurate 3D representation of the screen's contents," Tech Crunch's Matthew Panzarino wrote.
Another rumored feature of the 3D phone is an image recognition device that will allow users to snap a photo of any real-life device and match it to the same product posted on Amazon, Tech Crunch reported.
The more basic device could potentially launch this year, according to Tech Crunch, but that fact has yet to be confirmed by Amazon.
Tech Crunch cautions that both products are still under development. Features could change, release dates are uncertain, the more basic phone may or may not be free, and, based on reported leaks Tech Crunch hasn't yet been able to confirm, there continues to be issues with the software.