DailyTech - Bloomberg: Amazon to Release Its Own Smartphone in November

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Gadgets Bloomberg: Amazon to Release Its Own Smartphone in November
Tiffany Kaiser - July 6, 2012 9:09 AM

17 comment(s) - last by ascian5.. on Jul 9 at 9:58 AM

(Source: tech2.in.com)

Amazon is working with Foxconn International Holdings Ltd. to make the new device

Amazon is reportedly looking to release a smartphone of its own as early as November of this year. Having a smartphone could further Amazon's efforts to push its digital songs, books and movies as well as other Amazon-related services.

According to Bloomberg, Amazon is working with Foxconn International Holdings Ltd. to make the new device. Amazon also plans to protect itself with wireless technology patents that will keep predators like Apple away once it enters the smartphone arena.

In fact, Amazon hired Matt Gordon recently, who is the former director of acquisitions at Intellectual Ventures Management LLC. This company currently owns over 35,000 intellectual property assets, and Gordon will serve as the general manager for patent acquisitions at Amazon.

Building a protective fort of patents is a smart move, considering Apple and Samsung recently flung patent infringement lawsuits back and forth over wireless technologies and gadgets. The two fought for months, attempting to ban the other's devices such as Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1, which Apple has succeeded in doing so in Germany and the U.S. Both companies eventually tried to reach an agreement, but instead committed to war on one another.

Amazon dipped into the mobile realm last year when it released its first tablet, the Kindle Fire, in November 2011. The 7-inch, $199 tablet was a hit during the holiday season, moving 4.7 million units in Q4 2011. This was nearly one-third of what Apple's iPad accomplished during that same period, which was 15.4 million units.

Amazon is looking to release a new Kindle Fire as soon as this month, which will include new features like external volume controls and a camera. The new smartphone is due in November.

Source: Bloomberg