Amazon was betting that its first smartphone would be as successful as its Kindle e-readers and Kindle Fire tablets. Does its new 99-cent price for the Fire Phone signal the end of Amazon's smartphone future?
When Amazon introduced its first Kindle e-reader in 2007, the device proved to be extremely popular with consumers and the $399 e-book reader sold out in five and a half hours. Amazon confirmed how popular it was via press release and the Kindle remained out of stock for five months. Amazon's Kindle still remains one of the most popular dedicated e-readers on the market.
In 2010 when Steve Jobs unveiled the original iPad he showed off a new application called iBooks. This wasn't just an app that would allow iPad users to read books on the new tablet; it also allowed users to purchase books and download free samples from Apple's new iBook Store. It was a direct signal to Amazon and Steve Jobs acknowledged it by saying, "Amazon's done a great job of pioneering this functionality with the Kindle. We're going to stand on their shoulders and go a little further."
As the iPad and new Android tablets grew in popularity, Amazon began to work on its own tablet that would capitalize on the Kindle brand and lock consumers into Amazon's ecosystem of products and services. The original Kindle Fire was a 7-inch slate that ran a customized version of Android that swapped out Google services for Amazon's, which include the Amazon App Store, Amazon MP3, and more.
Amazon's Kindle Fire tablets have been a resounding success for the company and it appeared as if its first smartphone, the Fire Phone, would follow in those footsteps.
When Amazon unveiled the Fire Phone, it offered a unique user experience with its Dynamic Perspective 3D UI. The handset had impressive specs like a 13-megapixel rear camera and Firefly, which can scan items and information and provide a link to purchase via Amazon. Amazon launched the Fire Phone on July 25 as an exclusive with AT&T, priced at $199 with a new 2-year contract and also shiping with one year of Amazon Prime service, or an added year if the buyer already had an Amazon Prime membership.
The Fire Phone hasn't been well-received in most reviews, though, with most critics slamming it for being what is essentially a device that's main purpose is to make it easier to purchase items from Amazon first and a smartphone second.
As Apple apparently gets ready to unveil its 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch versions of its iPhone 6 at its Sept. 9 media event, Amazon has just slashed the price of its Fire Phone from $199 to 99 cents in what appears to be an attempt to offload inventory and possibly extinguish the Fire Phone for good.
Do you think the Amazon Fire Phone has a place in the smartphone world? Let us know in the comments.
