AfterDawn: News

Report: Amazon trying to give its first smartphone away for free

According to former WSJ reporter Jessica Lessin, Amazon is looking to give away its upcoming smartphone for free, trying to steal as much market share as humanely possible in the shortest amount of time.

Amazon has long been rumored to be working on a smartphone, but nothing has come of these rumors since 2011.



The etailing giant has had discussions with wireless companies about offering the device through their channels, but likely it will only be available through Amazon's own site. The phone will be free without a new contract, but it is unclear if it will require a subscription to Amazon Prime, which costs $79 per year.

If accurate, the move will fit exactly into Amazon's plans. CEO Jeff Bezos has long sold hardware at cost or with tiny margins in order to deliver content. An Amazon smartphone would be integrated into the company's music, video, TV, games and app ecosystem.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 7 Sep 2013 19:27

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• 5 comments

• xboxd00d

  Nice to see a big company sorting out the little guys, apple may want to take note!!!
  

  "Trying is the first step towards Failure" Homer.J.Simpson

  13.9.2013 12:17 #1

• EEE31

  Free with no contract... either the phone wont be very good or there will be a supply nightmare with people sending them to friends as a joke.
  

  13.9.2013 16:46 #2

• Cawthorne

  This is obviously cool, but what if you have already purchased all you music on iTunes. iTunes has a nice streaming service as well. I don't really want to have to upload all my music to them or re-buy.

  14.9.2013 11:31 #3

• pmshah

  This phone should work with T-Mobile sims without any problem.
  
  Another thing to consider would be that with Amazon prime you get EVERYTHING free of shipping charges. So they most certainly are looking at massive increase in turnover.

  14.9.2013 22:06 #4

• xboxd00d

  Originally posted by Cawthorne: This is obviously cool, but what if you have already purchased all you music on iTunes. iTunes has a nice streaming service as well. I don't really want to have to upload all my music to them or re-buy. If it runs on android u can get free apps what sync iTunes music and videos over WiFi to your device.
  

  "Trying is the first step towards Failure" Homer.J.Simpson

  15.9.2013 03:13 #5