Amazon.com and Foxconn are reportedly developing a
budget smartphone, according to reports from Taiwan.
Smartphone parts makers involved in the supply of
Amazon?s new smartphone model, said that Foxconn is
expected to ship as many as five million units of the
new device in the year, the
China Economic News Service reported today.
Amazon's smartphone is expectd to be launched between
the second quarter and the third quarter of 2013 at a
unit price of US$100-200.
Amazon has not confirmed plans to extend its business
to mobile phones.
Taiwanese parts suppliers maintaining close business
ties with Foxconn, including J Touch Corp. and Young
Fast Optoelectronics Co., Ltd. (touch panel makers),
are also likely to enagage in Amazon's new device, the
report added.
Amazon com has followed a low pricing strategy for its
mobile internet devices. A smartphone would further
help Amazon make money from digital books, songs and
movies.
In addition to the upcoming budget-priced smartphone
model, reports say that the U.S. brand has been
developing a new version of the Kindle Fire, which is
scheduled to land on the market in the third quarter of
2013.