BGR reports this morning that trusted sources have confirmed many of the rumored details about Amazon’s alleged upcoming smartphone, and the site has also obtained photos they say are of the much-rumored handset.
BGR:
At a distance, Amazon’s upcoming flagship phone looks much like any other touchscreen phone on the market. But the company has spent years creating a unique and, at times, novel user experience that has two main focuses: Amazon products and services, and a custom 3D interface unlike anything we have seen before on a smartphone.
The device in the images is covered by a protective shell that prevents seeing the true physical design of the phone.
BGR says the handset in the photos is just one of at least two handsets the company is currently developing, the second device will be an entry-level device with lower-end specs and a competitive retail price. BGR was told the second device will launch sometime after the device in the photos.
The device in the photos is the higher-end model that has been in development for several years, and BGR’s sources say it will include a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, and will also include 2GB of RAM. Other sources indicate the device’s display will measure 4.7-inches diagonally, and will sport a 720p resolution.
The most unusual aspect of Amazon’s handset will be the 3D software interface and the hardware that powers it. BGR’s sources say the phone will include a total of six camera. That includes a 13 megapixel rear camera, a standard front-facing camera for video chats, selfies, and Amazon’s Mayday customer service. An additional four front-facing cameras, (possibly infrared), will work with other sensors to enable the device software’s 3D effects.
The extra camera will be used to track the position of the user’s face and eyes in relation to the device’s display. This will facilitated the constant adjustments needed to reposition on-screen elements, resulting in a 3D display without the need of glasses.
Amazon’s 3D effects will be applied to wallpapers, application icons, and other aspects of the user interface. Built-in apps will also make use of the effects, with sources reporting that moving the phone around in the Maps app will change the view of various objects on the screen.
The 3D view could also be used in Amazon’s store apps, allowing three-dimensional views of products to reveal surfaces normally hidden in 2D viewing.
Amazon is reportedly making a big push to recruit outside developers in order to have a wide selection of 3D-capable apps available at launch. BGR’s sources say Amazon will make a set of APIs available to developers, and will assist them in other ways.
(All photos used in this article are property BGR)
