Rumor: Amazon making its own smart phone/no contract/free phone?!

[msndrstood]

This popped up on my Breaking News feed...

http://thenextweb.com/insider/2013/...n-brand-smartphone-with-no-contract-required/

Sent via Note II

 

[SNAFU]

Exclusive: Amazon Wants To Offer Its Smartphone for Free. Who Will Follow?

 

[Aquila]

Hmm interesting in an abstract way.

XT1060. Through spacetime.

 

[return_0]

I'm willing to bet we won't see any Google Play support on these. But really, there would be no reason not to get one and just root it (assuming a method is found) and use it as a ROM testing device.

 

[Aquila]

I'm willing to bet we won't see any Google Play support on these. But really, there would be no reason not to get one and just root it (assuming a method is found) and use it as a ROM testing device.

For the way I use devices, not having the play store is effectively crippling it. It might be fun to play with, but as a daily driver, I need something fully hooked in to all of my cloud stuffs.

 

[return_0]

For the way I use devices, not having the play store is effectively crippling it. It might be fun to play with, but as a daily driver, I need something fully hooked in to all of my cloud stuffs.

But if an unlock/root method is found, you can just flash a ROM with Play!

 

[Aquila]

But if an unlock/root method is found, you can just flash a ROM with Play!

Then it's just some device that I could have gotten from not Amazon. It's a weird concept and I like the idea of shaking up the business models. I also like the idea of Amazon Prime Movies maybe being available. But I also really hate branded exclusives, so *shrug*. I'll probably just point and laugh.

 

[thatotherdude24]

I don't see how this could work. Amazon doesn't have a cell service. I read where somehow it could be linked to Prime....huh?????

 

[gone down south]

Just the fact that you're reading this thread proves that you're not Amazon's target market. Your mom, yes. Your grandparents, even more so. But us, no.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[return_0]

I don't see how this could work. Amazon doesn't have a cell service. I read where somehow it could be linked to Prime....huh?????

I don't understand your post. What phone manufacturer has its own network? None do. So why should Amazon?

 

[msndrstood]

They are in talks with the carriers. It's in the article.

Sent via Note II

 

[jdbii]

The phone would have to have some fairly bulletproof safeguard against unlocking and flashing usable custom ROMs on it. There would be no way they would give a device away for free that easily (or not so easily) could be jail broken. I bet the business model wouldn't be that much different then getting $0 down payment phone on AT&T or Verizon. You'd have to sign up for a 2 year contract and face an ETF if you broke the contract. I know the article said that they were looking into doing it without a contract, but I think whatever the come up will in essence be some kind of contractual agreement.

 

[thatotherdude24]

I don't understand your post. What phone manufacturer has its own network? None do. So why should Amazon?

It's a simple post. Phones are free when grouped with a 2 year contract. Amazon didn't have a cell network to add a 2 year contract to.


Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk 2

 

[return_0]

It's a simple post. Phones are free when grouped with a 2 year contract. Amazon didn't have a cell network to add a 2 year contract to.


Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk 2

The article says it'll be free unlocked.

Sent from my pure Google Nexus 7 using Android Central Forums

 

[thatotherdude24]

The article says it'll be free unlocked.

Sent from my pure Google Nexus 7 using Android Central Forums

That's great. I just don't see how it's possible.


Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Aquila]

http://m.androidcentral.com/amazon-says-reports-rumored-free-phone-program-are-incorrect

XT1060. Through spacetime.

 

[return_0]

Amazon says reports of rumored free-phone program are incorrect | Android Central

XT1060. Through spacetime.

The problem is you can never tell whether they're telling the truth or just trying to not get their cover blown.

 

[thatotherdude24]

The article says it'll be free unlocked.

Sent from my pure Google Nexus 7 using Android Central Forums

http://cnet.com/news/amazon-denies-plans-to-offer-free-smartphone-this-year/57601905

Enough said.


Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk 2

 

[STARGATE]

I'm willing to bet we won't see any Google Play support on these. But really, there would be no reason not to get one and just root it (assuming a method is found) and use it as a ROM testing device.

My thoughts exactly!
:thumbup:

Sent From a Galaxy S4 Away!

 

[return_0]

Technology News - CNET News

Enough said.


Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk 2

LG also denied rumors of making the Nexus 5, and... they're making it.
Companies do things like these all the time. Sometimes they're telling the truth, but other times... not so much.