The Amazon phone has been a source of rumours even before Amazon started making the Kindle Fire in 2011. The frequency and specificity of those rumors have increased in recent weeks, and we now have somewhat of a glimpse into what to expect the phone finally becomes official later this year.
Amazon’s rumoured glasses-free 3D effect has been reported on by both the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, and BGR obtained photos and details about the device to explain how it works. The phone has four front-facing cameras that monitor the direction that the users looks. Using a combination of sensors and software, the phone is able to create a 3D-like effect in certain aspects of user interface and apps.
It’s not system-wide, so you won’t see your favourite apps employ it, but in areas like the lock screen, home screen, and select apps, it will be present. Amazon is reportedly working with third parties in order to ensure that more than just its own apps will take advantage of the system.
BGR posted photos of the device but you cannot see its complete form thanks to the dummy unit wrapping placed around the device. However, you can tell that there’s a headphone jack and speaker grill next to each other, as well as see the cameras used for the 3D effects.
According to BGR’s sources, the device will have a 4.7-inch 720p display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor (model unknown), 2GB of RAM, a 13-megapixel camera, and a heavily customized version of Android.
A name for the Amazon phone has yet to be discovered, but it will probably continue the Fire branding or theme in some way.
