Amazon Addresses Free Smartphone Rumor, Says Nothing Planned for 2013
Every so often a rumor pops up suggesting Amazon is working on its own brand smartphone, and one of these times, it's likely to be true. After all, the online retailer has had tremendous success in tablets, and though the smartphone sector is arguably more competitive, a company like Amazon has the savvy to pull it off, especially if it were to tie a smartphone into its Kindle platform.
One thing Amazon won't do, however, is offer a free smartphone. Amazon came out and said so after a former reporter for The Wall Street Journal posted an article saying the online retailer was considering it. Not only that, but Amazon said it definitely isn't going to launch a smartphone in 2013.
"We have no plans to offer a phone this year," an Amazon spokesman told WSJ. "If we were to launch a phone in the future, it would not be free."
It's interesting that Amazon decided to respond to this rumor in particular, as it's never before talked about any of the frequent smartphone speculation linked to the company. Maybe it's reading a bit too much between the lines, but if Amazon is working on a paid mobile phone of its own, addressing this rumor earlier should ensure that potential customers aren't disappointed when/if the company announces a non-free device.
One thing Amazon won't do, however, is offer a free smartphone. Amazon came out and said so after a former reporter for The Wall Street Journal posted an article saying the online retailer was considering it. Not only that, but Amazon said it definitely isn't going to launch a smartphone in 2013.
"We have no plans to offer a phone this year," an Amazon spokesman told WSJ. "If we were to launch a phone in the future, it would not be free."
It's interesting that Amazon decided to respond to this rumor in particular, as it's never before talked about any of the frequent smartphone speculation linked to the company. Maybe it's reading a bit too much between the lines, but if Amazon is working on a paid mobile phone of its own, addressing this rumor earlier should ensure that potential customers aren't disappointed when/if the company announces a non-free device.
