We haven't heard any new intel on the Amazon Android smartphone since September, but that changed as of today. DigiTimes reports that the oft-rumored mythical Amazon Android smartphone will go into mass production toward the end of Q2 this year. It will likely launch in the beginning of the following quarter. This jives with our previous intel from last year.

The phone will be a 4.7-inch device, but no other details were shared. Here's what DigiTimes had to say,

Amazon is reportedly going to use a 4.7-inch screen for its smartphone that is expected to be released in the second quarter of 2013, according to industry supply chain sources.

The company was previously considering a 4.3-inch screen but later scrapped the idea after witnessing increased demand for larger size screens among consumers, said the sources.

Amazon has also reportedly been working on enhancing other specifications of the smartphone. However, the sources did not reveal if Amazon's recent changes to the device were the reason for rumors in the market stating that mass production of the device may be delayed until later in the second quarter of the year or possibly later.

The sources did indicate, however, that while Amazon is looking to a second-quarter release date for the device, it may not be able to release the smartphone on schedule, as production progress at its manufacturing partner, Foxconn International Holdings (FIH), has not been as smooth as expected.

What do you guys think? If this device has decent power and battery life, could it be a contender for your dollars? Wanna bet that many of our wives and girlfriends will be interested in it?

The rumored Amazon Android smartphone is likely much more than a myth. In fact, according to DigiTimes the phone was scheduled to launch in Q2 of this year, but has been impacted with a delay due to more testing. Here's a quote with the full scoop,

Market rumors have indicated that Amazon may not be able to release its first smartphone in the second quarter of 2013 as originally scheduled, as the production progress at its manufacturing partner, Foxconn International Holdings (FIH), has not been as smooth as expected, according to sources at the flat panel supply chain.

The production of Amazon's much-fanfared smartphone is still under its engineering verification test (EVT) period due to issues related to its mobile platform, the sources indicated, adding that the development of the smartphone is being handled by FIH's subsidiary Ensky Tech, which has been responsible for the production of Amazon's e-book readers and tablets.

According to Amazon's original roadmap, the planned smartphone should complete its production verification test (PVT) in the first quarter of 2013 and enter mass production a quarter later. But based on current production schedule, Ensky is unlikely to begin volume production of the smartphone in June, said the sources.

It's almost always a good sign when a company holds things back a bit longer to make sure they work out all the kinks in a device. It's best to get it right the first time, rather than have a lack-luster launch due to bugs. Sound off if you are interested in an Amazon Kindle Phone?

For any of our Japan-dwelling forum members you might be thrilled to find out that Amazon is now taking pre-orders for their 8.9-Inch Kindle Fire HD in the "Land of the Rising Sun." Here are some of the details, followed by a full press release in Japanese,

• The WiFi Kindle Fire HD 8.9 16GB will sell for ¥24,800 ($269)
• The 32GB version can be ordered for ¥29,800 or $322
• You can get them either online or through local retail stores
• The first batch of pre-orders will be shipping out March 12
• If you would rather have some of the smaller versions the 16GB and 32GB 7-inch Kindle Fire HD are available for ¥15,800 ($197) and ¥19,800 ($247)

Amazon.co.jp、「Kindle Fire HD 8.9」の予約販売を本日より開始
Amazonのベストセラー商品であるKindle Fire HDの大画面バージョンを日本のお客様に24,800円でご提供

Kindle Fire HD 8.9は、アプリ、ゲーム、音楽、本などのエンターテインメントから、インターネットやEメールまで、鮮や かな8.9インチHDディスプレイ、専用のドルビーオーディオ、超高速Wi-Fiで快適にご利用が可能

TSUTAYA TV、パズル＆ドラゴンズ、秘宝探偵、乗換案内、Facebook、OfficeSuite Professional 6など人気の高いアプリとゲームに簡単にアクセス

2,400万点を超える音楽、アプリ、ゲーム、書籍、コミックをご提供

Kindle Fire HD 8.9は、株式会社エディオン、株式会社キタムラ、株式会社ケーズホールディングス、株式会社コジマ、上新

... [Read More]

A new study was performed by mobile app analytics company Localytics, and the numbers are interesting. Supposedly, a full one-third of all Android tablet sales in the United States are some variant of the Amazon Kindle Fire. The B&N Nook accounted for 10% of sales, bringing the combined total of content provider tablets to 43% of all U.S. tablets sales. Additionally, the Samsung Galaxy line of tablets accounted for 9% of the U.S. market, with the Google Nexus 7 garnering 8%.

Their study also concluded that the U.S. was the largest tablet market in the world with 59% of global tablet sales. Supposedly, the UK is in second place with 5% of tablets sold, while 2% is in Korea, and another 2% are in Spain. The remainder of the globe was 31%.

Of course, keep something in mind. It appears this data might be skewed a great deal. This report seems to run contrary to others we have seen not that long ago. Here's a quote explaining why that may be the case,

It is probable that Localytics’ data is a little skewed in favor of the USA and towards the Kindle Fire. The reason for this is that the company is based in the USA and the data is generated from apps using Localytics analysis service. Although Localytics says that there are 500 million+ unique devices running its software, it is certain that most of these are from American or European authors. The number of Asian apps which incorporate the service is probably very low. Also it is likely that authors who are keen to compare and contrast the performance of their apps across multiple platforms (including the Kindle Fire) are using Localytics services. This implies app writers who are releasing their products on Apple, generic Android, Kindle and Nook. If this is true it means that the number of Kindle users will be skewed as a higher than average number of Kindle apps will incorporate the Localytics libraries than those released just in the Google Play Store.

Until Localytics releases comparative data on geographic location of the authors that use their software, along with data on what percentage of the different eco-systems are used, it is best to take these statistics with a grain of salt.

Of course, if this is all true, it begs the question of why it is even posted to begin with. The only answer we could come up with was that it might spark an interesting debate as to just how useable and valuable all of these marketing studies really are. It certainly seems like most of the data nowadays is bent in such a way as to promote an agenda of some kind. What do you guys think? Are there any companies out there worth listening to for this type of marketing data?

Source: AndroidAuthority

Although we had trouble confirming this deal (because none of us at HQ are currently students), we thought it worth reporting because it is still likely true. Supposedly, Amazon is having a student sale on their Kindle Fire HD 8.9-Inch tablet that will last throughout January. According to a report at SlashGear, Amazon is slashing $50 bucks off the tablet if you are a college student and have an Amazon Prime account. Here's a quote with the details,

Amazon Student Members with an active Prime account (free six-month or $39/year plan) are only eligible for the deal. However, the company is letting students who aren’t Prime members sign up today to take advantage of the deal. In order to become an Amazon Student member, simply sign up using your .edu email address.

The offer is good towards either the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 WiFi-only model or the 4G LTE variant. The $50 discount means you’ll spend as little as $249 on a new 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HD, which is the same price as the 7-inch 32GB model of the Fire HD.

If you want to confirm this deal yourself, you will need a valid .edu email address and the aforementioned Amazon Prime Account. Here's a link: Amazon

Source: SlashGear