Amazon's newest mobile device, a smartphone with a 3-D screen, is expected to debut later on today (June 18) during a highly-anticipated media event.
Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos will run the mysterious launch at Amazon's Seattle campus, according to Reuters. Industry observers predict the arrival of a long-rumored smartphone after spending years developing it.
Though the 3D display has been rumored by a number of media outlets, Amazon has not confirmed anything yet. The display would help the device stand out in a crowded field dominated by Apple's iPhone and Samsung's Galaxy devices.
Approximately three-quarters of U.S. consumers online already own a smartphone, according to online data tracking service comScore.
"As the world shifts toward mobile, how do you make sure Amazon is front and center?" Jefferson Wang, senior partner at IBB Consulting, said in an interview, according to Reuters.
Analyst have confirmed that Amazon has more opportunities outside the U.S. with a new smartphone Just 30 percent of the 5.2 billion phones son the market are smartphones, according to Topeka Capital Markets analyst Victor Anthony said in a June 5 research note.
At least two sources familiar with the matter have confirmed to Reuters that the device contains 3D features visible to the eye without special 3D glasses.
Analysts expect Amazon's Prime membership program to be tied to the phone. Prime offers customers features like movie streaming and two-day delivery.
The phone would boost adoption of an Amazon payment platform as well. The phone would be the third new device Amazon has introduced this year.
Earlier this week, it was reported that AT&T would carry the smartphone exclusively, as it did the iPhone for years by The Wall Street Journal.
The launch event is scheduled to take place on June 18 at 10:30 a.m. PT or 1:30 p.m. ET.
TechCrunch reported that a live stream of the event will not be made available by Amazon, so check back after the event for more details.
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