While Amazon has yet to bring a single Kindle smartphone to market, development of such devices at its Lab126 studios has not stopped. In the latest rumour installment, a Hacker News posting reveals new details, many of which are supported by TechCrunch sources. Both report that Amazon is still working on two devices, a high-end model featuring a 3D eye-tracking interface and an inexpensive model.
Confirming some details brought forward earlier this year, the reports suggest that the two devices are part of the Project B initiative with other devices, including a set-top box to stream movies and TV shows and an audio-only streaming device, making up other initiatives collectively known as the Alphabet Projects.
The higher-end model now carries the codename Smith. Rather than sporting a 3D display as we saw on smartphones a few years back, the Smith will come with four cameras positioned at the corners. These will track the user’s head and eye movements and move the user interface about to give the illusion of 3D. It might even let users ‘peek’ around to see items not visible from the front. The software will also be able to focus on a single user and not be confused by multiple persons looking at the screen at the same time.
Smith could also come with an image recognition feature that would match real-world objects to Amazon products for purchase. Imagine taking a picture of the Eiffel Tower and being able to buy a book about its construction within seconds.
Amazon is also working on a cheaper Project B smartphone that would not have the 3D interface. This model could come with Amazon’s FireOS and could be the “free” device spotted in rumours recently (and quickly denied). Amazon had been hoping to have this device out this year but reported staffing issues looks to have pushed the release out to next year.
Previous rumours suggested that both devices will use Qualcomm chipsets and come with LTE connectivity.
It’s clear that Amazon is still hoping to enter the smartphone market and 2014 may well be the year that it finally does so.
Sources : Hacker News // TechCrunch