Amazon's iPhone competitor purportedly revealed in photos with 6 cameras, 3D UI
A series of snapshots hit the web Tuesday showing what is alleged to be a prototype of Amazon's upcoming first-party smartphone, with a 4.7-inch display and 6 cameras that are said to power a unique three-dimensional user interface.
Though the handset is shrouded in what seems to be a cover designed to obscure its industrial design, it does appear to feature an iPhone-like layout with three buttons on the side and a headphone jack on the bottom. The shots were first published by BGR.
Most notable are the cameras placed in each corner of the handset's front face. The publication says that the low-resolution infrared cameras are used to drive a unique user interface that will allow users to manipulate onscreen objects, including icons and wallpaper, in three-dimensional space.
Amazon is said to be working with third-party developers to enable popular applications to take advantage of the 3D features prior to the phone's release.
The device also sports a removable tray on the side which looks much like the SIM tray in Apple's iPhone, though it is possible that the slot could be used for removable storage in the form of microSD cards. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processor will power the handset and drive its 1280-pixel-by-720-pixel display, with the operating system and applications gaining access to 2 gigabytes of RAM.
There is no word on when the handset will hit shelves, nor what it will cost when it does. Amazon is also reportedly working on a followup device with lower specifications and a "very competitive" retail price.
Though the handset is shrouded in what seems to be a cover designed to obscure its industrial design, it does appear to feature an iPhone-like layout with three buttons on the side and a headphone jack on the bottom. The shots were first published by BGR.
Most notable are the cameras placed in each corner of the handset's front face. The publication says that the low-resolution infrared cameras are used to drive a unique user interface that will allow users to manipulate onscreen objects, including icons and wallpaper, in three-dimensional space.
Amazon is said to be working with third-party developers to enable popular applications to take advantage of the 3D features prior to the phone's release.
The device also sports a removable tray on the side which looks much like the SIM tray in Apple's iPhone, though it is possible that the slot could be used for removable storage in the form of microSD cards. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processor will power the handset and drive its 1280-pixel-by-720-pixel display, with the operating system and applications gaining access to 2 gigabytes of RAM.
There is no word on when the handset will hit shelves, nor what it will cost when it does. Amazon is also reportedly working on a followup device with lower specifications and a "very competitive" retail price.
Comments
AHAHAHAHAHAHAH LOOK AT THOSE SEAMS. LOOK AT THAT PLASTIC.
I wonder how much you have to pay for the ad free version of the phone?
Also, if their phone does indeed have this many cameras it will be for eye tracking so they can more accurately determine what you are looking at on their site so they can serve up more of what you're interested in. Deviously clever, really. Could blow away all other advertising methods, despite unprecedented levels of intrusiveness.
I don't think the cameras are there for 3-D.
Remember, these are completely different effects. The Nintendo 3DS’ 3D is handled by the LCD directly. This monstrosity will be recording your face the entire time you use it in a mockery of better, less complex technology.
Everything about the device has told us they are. Why on Earth would they need six cameras if not to pretend it’s about 3D in an excuse to record users?
I was talking about the UI.
What's the battery life if these cameras are always on?
What's the battery life if these cameras are always on?
This is the first question I wanted to ask!
Not the 2014 future, though.
It's odd, because Amazon's hardware has been pretty no-nonsense, I feel. Throwing in some wacky thing that sounds good to 12-year old sci-fi fans but doesn't work well or support many apps? Sounds more like Samsung.
If it's supported JUST by one Amazon shopping app, say, and is marketed as such without pretend to do more than that, I can see this might work out (it the effect is truly good). Then anything else that supports the feature would be just icing on the cake. Undersell. Bill it as a minor feature so it doesn't disappoint.
The Verge says 5 cameras, not 6.
Also, if their phone does indeed have this many cameras it will be for eye tracking so they can more accurately determine what you are looking at on their site so they can serve up more of what you're interested in. Deviously clever, really. Could blow away all other advertising methods, despite unprecedented levels of intrusiveness.
You can see 5 on the front. The assumption is that there is still one on the back.
And those buttons. Frankenstein was put together nicer than that.
I SO wish to Christ above that Apple'd get of the "glass & ultraslippery aluminum backing" schnide.
I like a tough, durable multicolored plastic body.