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At a time when Apple has been successful in suing competing products right off of store shelves for allegedly copying the look and feel of the iPhone, Amazon fully understands what's at stake as it looks to enter the smartphone market. Oh, haven't you heard? Amazon is indeed looking to make a run at the iPhone with a mobile phone of its own, just as soon as it collects enough patents to fend off Apple's aggressive legal strategy.
According to a Bloomberg report, Foxconn International Holdings Ltd. is collaborating with Amazon on the upcoming smartphone, though details are hard to come by since plans at this early stage are supposed to be kept private. The only sure thing is that it will be based on Google's Android platform.
Amazon knows a thing or two about building and marketing mobile devices. The company's Kindle Fire is the world's second best selling tablet behind the iPad, though smartphones represent an entirely different ball game. It's not just the iPhone that Amazon will be competing against, but scores of low-priced Android devices, like HTC's Droid Incredible 2, which can be found for free on a two-year contract over at Wirefly.
Still, Amazon believes it has a shot in the smartphone market, so long as it secures enough patents. Towards that end, the company recently hired Matt Gordon, former senior director at Intellectual Ventures Management LLC, according to Bloomberg. Gordon will oversea Amazon's patent acquisitions and help make sure the company is on solid footing to fend off infringement lawsuits.
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jedisamurai
July 06, 2012 at 2:50pm
I'm a big fan of everything that Amazon is doing (well, except maybe tax-dodging). The kindle was a great device, and an amazon android powered phone would be exactly what I've always wanted. Something as powerful as an iPhone, easier to use, and cheaper.
More competition will only be better for everyone.
And maybe at long as I will finally take the plunge and get a smart phone...provided they are offered on a pay-as-you-go plan instead of a 2 year commitment.
Refuge88
July 06, 2012 at 9:52am
I will be purchasing a Windows phone as my next phone.
Apple has just pushed too many buttons for me.
The iPhone is pretty darn shiney, but not shiney enough to hide Apple's bad attitude and clear distate for compitition.
But when you stop to think about it, this isn't new for them. Should we be this surprised?
