Amazon's new Ice phone?

[cfrizz]

The name of the game with premium phones is apps/convenience. Tap on the Play Store icon and get just about everything under the sun you want to play with.

Amazon presented itself as being able to compete with Google, and didn't come close.

Buying an expensive piece of technology is bad enough, what with having to figure out how to work it. Then you can't get the apps you want on it? Oh Hell NO! LOL.

I'm not tech illiterate despite being a baby boomer, I've worked with pcs for over 30 years. But for the most part, I want to get something that works straight out of the box. Which my Samsung Note 2 did/does. I add an app and it works. I probably STILL don't know half of what my phone is capable of.

But so long as I can put my Kindle/Moonreader+ apps and books and my music on it, I'm a happy camper!

[ou4read]

I strongly hope they consider installing e-ink screen on the back like Yotaphone. Quite a few reviewers lamented when they saw Yotaphone that it was a missed opportunity for Amazon. It's not hard to imagine why. First, Amazon is known for its e-book store. Sell the device, bundle a subscription to Amazon Prime, and people will soon get entangled to their ecosystem, not to mention those already knees deep in it. Second, they have been manufacturing e-ink devices. It means they will have fewer technical issues integrating the screen, and are in a position to negotiate cheaper prices from the screen vendors. One might worry about overshadowing existing Kindle devices, but why not try first then worry later when/if the phone becomes a hit?

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by ou4read

I strongly hope they consider installing e-ink screen on the back like Yotaphone... One might worry about overshadowing existing Kindle devices, but why not try first then worry later when/if the phone becomes a hit?

After the debacle that was the Fire phone and the jokes that were later made about weird features that were barely useful (Dynamic Perspective), I would imagine the Ice Phone will be a run-of-the-mill Android phone. If they're smart, it'll be a mid-tier or low cost, run-of-the-mill Android phone.

[rdfry]

It was not a good phone when it was released at a premium price.

[Alohamora]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Looks like Amazon has learned their lessons from the Fire phone. They're allegedly working on an Ice phone that runs Android rather than Fire OS and...



Here's the article from The Verge.

Here's a Forbes article.

They both seem to source from this Gadgets 360 article.

That Gadgets 360 article says the phone doesn't have Alexa. But a built-in, always listening Alexa app is the only thing I can think of that would make an Amazon phone worth consideration next to the glut of Android models already out there.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by Alohamora

That Gadgets 360 article says the phone doesn't have Alexa. But a built-in, always listening Alexa app is the only thing I can think of that would make an Amazon phone worth consideration next to the glut of Android models already out there.

Yes, but Android phones have a long and not so proud history of coming preloaded with manufacturer's apps. There's no reason Alexa couldn't be one of them. Also, Alexa is available in the Play store.

[Alohamora]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Yes, but Android phones have a long and not so proud history of coming preloaded with manufacturer's apps. There's no reason Alexa couldn't be one of them. Also, Alexa is available in the Play store.

But the Alexa app doesn't have all the functionality of an Echo or Dot device ( or have I missed some update to the app?).

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by Alohamora

But the Alexa app doesn't have all the functionality of an Echo or Dot device ( or have I missed some update to the app?).

I never use Alexa, so I can't say.

[tomsem]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Yes, but Android phones have a long and not so proud history of coming preloaded with manufacturer's apps. There's no reason Alexa couldn't be one of them. Also, Alexa is available in the Play store.

The Alexa app is to control and interact with Alexa-enabled devices. It doesn't have Alexa skills as such.

You can, however, load third-party apps that connect to Alexa services, e.g.:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....android.alexa

Alexa in its current form is not a replacement for a phone voice assistant. It would need to know how to interact with apps and data on the device.

This looks like a more promising technology for that purpose:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rblb3sptgpQ&t=5s

Samsung bought ViV last year.

[Deskisamess]

We probably would have bought the Fire phone had it not been tied to AT&T. Once the reviews started coming in, we knew we had dodged a bullet.

I was a huge Amazon fan, back in the day. Now, I don't recommmend their tablets to anyone. My dislike started when they broke the Fire 7" HDX with an update. I used that device all the time, and loved it for video and music. The update hosed the volume, and it was no longer loud enough to use without headphones.

Then I picked up the Fire HD 8.9" refurbished for my husband. I thought the problems were because he was new to touch screens, and I missed the return time frame. Turns out the thing is a real dog. So he got an iPad, and I used that Fire for videos. As it aged, apps become incompatible, so I picked up a refurb Fire 10". It's just ok, but only for Netflix and Prime video. It needs almost daily rebooting, and a couple of apps I use don't work dependably and need to be removed and reinstalled weekly.

IMO their tablets are garbage. Especially if you want to browse, email, and type anything.

I don't expect that 10" Fire to be as robust as my iPad Pro. But I do expect it to work without constant reboots and reinstalls. And it doesn't.

[booklover6]

I'm on vacation, and I brought my Fire phone and my Fire HD6" tablet. They are fine for my uses. That said, I don't think I'd buy another fire product.

(Also brought 2 Kobo readers.)

[HarryT]

Nobody seems to have noticed that the article says that this is a very low-end device aimed at emerging markets such as India, not the west. If it exists at all, it's doubtful it would be sold in Europe or the US.

[Alohamora]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Nobody seems to have noticed that the article says that this is a very low-end device aimed at emerging markets such as India, not the west. If it exists at all, it's doubtful it would be sold in Europe or the US.

Noticed, yes. But I'm thinking once they've launched successfully somewhere, they'll bring it to the US.

[tomsem]

Amazon does offer 'Prime Exclusive Phones' (yes with 'Special Offers') for as low as $50:

https://www.amazon.com/Prime-Exclusi...de=14613304011

[frahse]

Originally Posted by Alohamora

That Gadgets 360 article says the phone doesn't have Alexa. But a built-in, always listening Alexa app is the only thing I can think of that would make an Amazon phone worth consideration next to the glut of Android models already out there.

So true!
So true!

I love my Echo Dot with Alexa!

My only question is how many should I have?