Amazon is slated to launch a new device that it hopes will disrupt the technology market, but it didn't exactly say what that device is, though the e-commerce company dropped hints that it could be its oft-rumored 3D holographic smartphone.
Amazon tweeted a link to a semi-open invitation to the public to an event on June 18. Those who would like to join the event can send a request for an invitation by entering their email address and few pieces of basic information. Amazon also has a separate invitation request form for app developers, where it asks if they've had experience using sensors, gyroscopes and accelerometers in "an innovative way" and if they're interested in gaining "machine learning experience" or using "a new type of sensor."
"Join Amazon's founder Jeff Bezos for our launch event. June 18th, Seattle. Request an invite," says Amazon on its Twitter page, which posts a link to the invitation request page.
Amazon also shared a bizarre teaser video where people are filmed holding a new device that isn't shown onscreen. People holding the device are staring downwards and seem to be moving it in various angles as they tilt their heads this way and that and exclaim with delight over whatever the device is doing that we cannot see.
"It moved with me," says one of the people shown in the video, while another says, "It's pretty flawless. It's seamless. Wow!"
Amazon did not provide any details, but the 50-second teaser has spurred speculations that the online retailer is unveiling the 3D Amazon smartphone. Reports of the first Amazon smartphone based on a modified version of Android have been sprouting since 2011, but the rumor mill started spinning faster in April this year when the Wall Street Journal cited sources close to the company that Amazon is developing a smartphone that features a 3D interface that doesn't require the use of glasses. The Journal also said Amazon will release its first crack at the smartphone market in the second half of 2014.
Not long after, BGR came out with exclusive photos of what it said was an Amazon Phone prototype. BGR, which is known for its accurate predictions on Amazon hardware launches, including the Kindle e-readers, Kindle Fire tablets and the Fire TV, said "multiple trusted sources" came to them and said the new smartphone will use four front-facing infrared cameras and other sensors to detect the user's face and eyes and change the angles of the images to provide a 3D effect without the need for 3D glasses or a parallax barrier.
BGR also reported that the new Amazon phone will run on Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and 2GB of RAM. Aside from the four sensor cameras, it will also have a 13-megapixel rear camera and another front-facing camera with unspecified resolution. BGR said the phone will have a 4.7-inch display with 720p resolution.
Below is the teaser video of the said Amazon device. Watch closely when the counter hits 40 seconds just before the woman says, "That's fantastic!" That might be the biggest hint.
