Phones 2013: Amazon Kindle Smartphone $200, L-Series....iPhone's Reign Over?

[Awakener]

It looks like Amazon is going to release its smartphone, rumored to be unlocked, for under $200 in 2013:
http://bgr.com/2012/12/17/amazon-kindle-phone-release-date-rumor-256381/

Amazon smartphone could disrupt data pricing:
http://news.investors.com/technolog...smartphone-could-disrupt-industry-pricing.htm

Also, Blackberry is releasing the L-Series:
http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/48815/blackberry-10-ui-os-pics-leak

How will an affordable unlocked smartphone and the new Blackberry smartphones with OS 10 affect iPhone and the mobile marketplace?

Would you consider either of these over your current mobile phone?

 

[darster]

I'm sure many will jump on the kindle smartphone and buy it. If Amazon sells it like the Fire, they will sell it at cost. I did buy the Fire, but got rid of it though as the bloatware was annoying, and the fact that many google apps did not work, or you were forced to sideload because of the Amazon restrictions on what apps were allowed. Basically they could build a device similar to a Galaxy S3, sell it at cost for around $200, and Amazon would become an immediate big player with android devices. Samsung, Google, HTC and even Apple can't be too happy with the thought of that.

 

[SomeDudeAsking]

I would definitely consider either of these phones over another iPhone. The Amazon phone looks like it would have pretty good specs and could even be priced lower than what the Google Nexus costs. Amazon really has the scale of economy and ecosystem to pull it off.

The new BlackBerry is also intriguing because it looks like it integrates software better than the iPhone and has a better touch user interface than iOS that relies on swiping rather than awkward click, hold, wait, double click, triple click the laggy home button that you do on the iPhone.

 

[Awakener]

I'm sure many will jump on the kindle smartphone and buy it. If Amazon sells it like the Fire, they will sell it at cost. I did buy the Fire, but got rid of it though as the bloatware was annoying, and the fact that many google apps did not work, or you were forced to sideload because of the Amazon restrictions on what apps were allowed. Basically they could build a device similar to a Galaxy S3, sell it at cost for around $200, and Amazon would become an immediate big player with android devices. Samsung, Google, HTC and even Apple can't be too happy with the thought of that.

Yeah, a little less locked down would be nice. The current oligarchs might not be too happy either when the masses can buy an unlocked smartphone while avoiding their ridiculous contracts.

 

[Chuchichan]

Would a Kindle smartphone sync with iTunes?

 

[SomeDudeAsking]

Would a Kindle smartphone sync with iTunes?

I would hope not.

 

[Awakener]

I would hope not.

Haha, you said it. iTunes is what I hate most about Apple's ecosystem. If the Amazon phone just plugs in for drag and drop even better. Apple might just have to start giving the people what they want if the competition heats up.

 

[Chuchichan]

I would hope not.

Would be nice if it did though.

 

[darster]

Yeah, a little less locked down would be nice. The current oligarchs might not be too happy either when the masses can buy an unlocked smartphone while avoiding their ridiculous contracts.

I agree. The big question is if Verizon and AT&T would allow those phones on their network. In the end, if Amazon cant get on any major carrier in the US, it becomes a non player in the US.

 

[Awakener]

I agree. The big question is if Verizon and AT&T would allow those phones on their network. In the end, if Amazon cant get on any major carrier in the US, it becomes a non player in the US.

There is still speculation whether Amazon will be forced to play nice with carriers. But there's a chance to shake up the market if Amazon stands its ground.

The other thing is that it's a nice alternative to Google Android (not that anyone would ever dislike Google ).

 

[kampongkid]

i'm more than pleased with vzw as my carrier, but these unlocked phones like the nexus 4 have me a little salty.

 

[ucfgrad93]

It will be very interesting to see what Amazon does in 2013 in regards to tablets and a possible smartphone.

 

[Awakener]

It will be very interesting to see what Amazon does in 2013 in regards to tablets and a possible smartphone.

Amazon could be a game changer for hardware pricing and no-contract service.
If Blackberry 10 is a winner it could give iOS real competition.

 

[Michael CM1]

The other thing is that it's a nice alternative to Google Android (not that anyone would ever dislike Google ).

"An Amazon smartphone would presumably run on Android, as is the case with the Kindle Fire tablets."

 

[alizee1645]

the same to me.thanks for your sharing

It will be very interesting to see what Amazon does in 2013 in regards to tablets and a possible smartphone.

 

[Mr Hill]

Unlocked would mean AT&T and Tmobile are immediately on board. The big question is whether Verizon would allow it on their network. A quality smartphone for $200 full price would instantly take a huge chunk of sales away from other manufacturers.

 

[EbookReader]

If Amazon and Google start selling smartphone at cost, it could be a game changer.

Now, let's hope that Amazon and Google will start selling tablets at cost too.

Next thing you know, both Amazon and Google will start selling laptop at cost too.

Samsung can't be happy with this news (if true).

 

[Awakener]

"An Amazon smartphone would presumably run on Android, as is the case with the Kindle Fire tablets."

Right. But Amazon's version of Android is modified (Google-free).

 

[Deity 47]

iOS is still the best thing going, but sometimes it feels a little long in the tooth. Apple's image is changing to more "establishment" too giving Blackberry has a window of opportunity.

 

[macher]

I agree. The big question is if Verizon and AT&T would allow those phones on their network. In the end, if Amazon cant get on any major carrier in the US, it becomes a non player in the US.

If it's going to be unlocked most likely it can be used on AT&T and TMo not VZW.

 

[TennisandMusic]

This is Apple's problem, the commoditization of nice hardware. I have a Nexus 4 and it stomps my iPhone 5 in just about every single way. This is a 350 dollar phone I like more than my 850 dollar phone...

The problem is most of Apple's profits are based on carrier subsidies. I will never buy such a phone ever again. Lower prices, and nicer hardware are coming, and that will simply remove Apple's ability to charge such HUGE margins if they want any sort of decent sales numbers. On top of that, Android 4.2 is better looking and better functioning than iOS at this point. It is seriously amazing, and Google is not stopping or slowing down. How does Apple compete at this point? They don't seem to the have the ideas, or the momentum.

I was once a HUGE Apple fanboy...that's pretty much gone now. I've used iPhone since 2008, and unless something DRASTIC happens, I will simply never return. Current Android phones are amazing.

I'll be curious to see how Amazon will fit into this though I doubt I would ever get one.

 

[Deity 47]

How does Apple compete at this point? They don't seem to the have the ideas, or the momentum.

When it comes to iOS, Apple needs to open up, innovate and listen. Examples: Still cluttered screens full of icons, can't drag and drop a simple file without iTunes, no memory cards....on and on. Apple will not have the luxury of ignoring iOS users needs if Blackberry and Amazon do it right.

 

[kampongkid]

Right. But Amazon's version of Android is modified (Google-free).

what's a google-free android?

 

[siiip5]

If this phone rumor goes ahead and becomes reality, Jeff Bozo better start padding his resumé. Amazon had its first quarterly net loss in 9 years last quarter (and the Fire HD helped Amazon along). Amazon sells at cost and expects money to come from content sales. This didn't happen with the original Fire, it isn't happening with the HD and it certainly won't happen with a phone.
Besides, who wants a phone designed to be an Amazon catalog with adverts on the homescreen?

 

[3bs]

If I'm forced to look at ads then there is no way I'd even consider this. I always get the paid version of apps because I hate looking at ads.

Hopefully Amazon will handle it's launch a lot better than Google has with their Nexus 4. They probably will. Also let's hope it'll be available to more countries.