Report: Amazon building prototype hardware other than Kindle

The New York Times' Bits blog is reporting that "people with direct knowledge" of Amazon's plans say that Lab 126 -- the division of the company which designed the Kindle -- is currently looking into other hardware, i.e. devices that are not the Kindle. One unnamed source reports that such devices would be a "means to an end," meant to enable easy purchasing of Amazon's content, which currently includes music, movies, and digital books. The source said that CEO Jeff Bezos' intent for Lab 126 was initially to build multiple devices -- including apparent discussions to enter the mobile phone market -- but that the Kindle eventually became the main hardware focus. The report also notes that Amazon's hardware division currently has about 80 job openings, which would lend credence to the idea that more devices could be on the way.

[ashwinkn Posted Aug 10th 2010 4:56PM]

As a shareholder: Don't try your luck in the phone business. It's already getting crowded with iPhone, Android, webOS, WP7 , BlackBerry, and Symbian.

As a consumer: Please! More competition never hurt anyone.

[romevi Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:02PM]

@ashwinkn I read those same suggestions about the iPhone way back in the day.

[ashwinkn Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:10PM]

@ashwinkn
Back when the iPhone came to market, there really wasn't anything like it. It's hard to imagine what Amazon could bring to the table in such a crowded market. I'm not saying that Amazon couldn't succeed. I would just have to think they would be better off writing apps for other platforms than to try to compete in such a crowded market. I'd think more along the lines of tablet than smartphone.

[AndroidFanBoy Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:13PM]

@ashwinkn If it looks like that picture, I am in. Get me one.

[aubreyq Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:16PM]

Nice 'shop, Engadget.

[Edobe Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:19PM]

@ashwinkn As a share holder I would love to see them starting to make mobile devices that take advantage of their amazon s3 services! Even if they get it wrong someone may copy them and get it right. Ya know?

[KarlW Posted Aug 10th 2010 6:12PM]

@ashwinkn Amazon don't have the required experience to win in the mobile market. Their position with the Kindle is still questionable.

Amazon's business is online shopping. I don't see how their mobile strategy should be anything like this at all. I'd embrace mobile with an interactive digital catalogue (something like the Wired app) and developing the site's online groceries section.

[Gobot Posted Aug 10th 2010 6:25PM]

@ashwinkn

except the companies that try to compete ;)

[That guy 2 Posted Aug 10th 2010 6:40PM]

@AndroidFanBoy Wow, your name is android fanboy, you have reached ultimate hypocriticalism

[marblewonder Posted Aug 10th 2010 6:50PM]

@That guy 2 you mean hypocrisy?

[kapanak Posted Aug 10th 2010 6:51PM]

@ashwinkn

You forgot MeeGo...

[sacguy Posted Aug 10th 2010 6:58PM]

I know that picture's a joke but why doesn't someone make a slick, little, inexpensive sms texting only device like the old 2 way pagers so you don't have to get buy a voice plan? I bet Amazon could find more success that qwertcorp.com.

[maattp Posted Aug 10th 2010 8:27PM]

@sacguy
Or you could just buy a prepaid phone and get a 2500 text package for $10/month. Just don't use it to phone. I get what you mean though, that might be a cool idea.

[dkeith95 Posted Aug 10th 2010 4:57PM]

Android?

[fais Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:14PM]

@dkeith95

My money is on a Amazon catalogue. Couch shopping you heard it here first.

[rhimbu Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:23PM]

@fais
Means to an end? I think that means an amazon hand gun.

[T0astedP0Ptart Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:34PM]

@rhimbu
Or a doomsday device perhaps?

[That guy 2 Posted Aug 10th 2010 6:41PM]

@dkeith95 I think it's gonna be a shoe, or an oven, or a black and white portable game player that can only play one game, checkers or something

[Son Goku Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:00PM]

TV Box.

[grog Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:03PM]

Let's hope they announce a tablet. There's a real shortage of companies planning those.

[Diggler Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:03PM]

Just come out with a nice color e-ink reader.

[fingers Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:28PM]

@Diggler
Too true, why didn't they update the Kindle with the Pixel Qi colour screen

[chispito Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:33PM]

@fingers

Because Pixel Qi has a narrow viewing angle, uses much more power than e-ink, has lower contrast, and just plain doesn't look as good in black and white, i.e., when you're just reading a book versus looking at pictures.

[fingers Posted Aug 10th 2010 6:24PM]

@chispito

Well that's definitely a solid argument for not using the Pixel Qi display, it's a good job they didn't use it then.

[tai376 Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:04PM]

Yea, not Amazon Phone.

But Kindle-sized media DLer/player at $299: yes

[Aklex7 Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:06PM]

Yeah, i want that amazon messenger.

[Alex Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:09PM]

@Aklex7
It's perfect for sliding into a pocket.

[hdtravel Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:10PM]

Stay tuned.....

This could get really interesting..........

They have a huge worldwide brand and a lot of content to sell !!

[AlienSix Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:11PM]

Amazon Cybiko? xD

[gernblanston Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:12PM]

I had one of those Motorola 2-Way pagers at my first IT job in 2000. For the time, it was pretty good... 2 way email, news, and the battery (a AA battery) would last through a month of heavy use.

[jackg058 Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:14PM]

That picture looks like it came out of a sci-fi B flick.

[NYNY Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:15PM]

Maybe a PMP? Throw wifi on it and you've got yourself a device with easy access to Amazon's music, movie, and digital books. If its done right it'd be a nice competitor to the iPod [Touch] and the upcoming Galaxy Touch.

[blenderx360 Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:15PM]

What is THAT!?

[Charbax Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:16PM]

It has to be a Pixel Qi based capacitive wide-view anti-glare Android tablet type of device: http://armdevices.net/2010/06/01/pixelqi-screen-compared-to-ipad/

[TiagZ Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:20PM]

Let's hope it comes out like the one in the pic :P

[LiqwidZero Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:28PM]

I'm thinking an PMP with WiFi running Android with syncing capabilities locked to an Amazon MP3 desktop client.

It sounds like a logical way for them to pimp Amazon MP3.

[zangetsu2 Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:33PM]

@LiqwidZero
Agreed, except may not be running Android.

[NYNY Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:38PM]

@zangetsu2 Agreed. I don't think it has to have Android. Although if they want to have an app store it might be better for them to go with Android rather than having to make their own app ecosystem. But I don't think that would be very tough for them to do either, if they really wanted to.

[smink Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:34PM]

This reminds me of the palm pilot I had back in 1999, only with a keyboard and a little more bulky.

Or one of the early powerbooks from the mid-90s, but a bit smaller.

[Hydra Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:37PM]

Its an AmazonPad , using amazon like the ipad does to itunes , bet?

[Metaluna Posted Aug 11th 2010 10:58AM]

@Hydra

Bingo. Considering Apple is trying to eat their lunch with the iBookstore, they need to hit back with some kind of media consumption device that is less limited than the Kindle and can be used to channel users towards their own media services.

[Brt312 Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:51PM]

A bike

[iamsupreme Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:56PM]

That prototype pic looks awesome! Would probably pwn the market back in 98'.

[palladinot Posted Aug 10th 2010 6:02PM]

Android touchscreen tablet with dedicated apps for MP3, video on demand and games (

[tonyprince Posted Aug 10th 2010 7:05PM]

@palladinot when you think about it. Amazon already has a killer foundation. An mp3, ebook, ordering site. also people can sell their stuff on amazon like ebay. if they made a tablet, or a phone, you can stream mp3's via free wifi or ebook. There wont be no such thing as storage because this will all be cloud based. GENIUS

[delgadilloaaron Posted Aug 10th 2010 6:15PM]

I hope it has something to do with this.

http://www.electronista.com/articles/10/02/22/microsoft.deal.may.hint.at.courier.plans/

[Xcharles718 Posted Aug 10th 2010 6:30PM]

Buy WebOS from HP

[tonyprince Posted Aug 10th 2010 7:03PM]

LOL @ THE STOCKPHOTO. IS that REAL?

[voodoochild Posted Aug 10th 2010 7:22PM]

I will save my judgement for now, but I still think they shoulda bought palm.

[Wireless Posted Aug 10th 2010 7:46PM]

Im amazed that no one (except one or two) knows that that is a Motorola Talkabout 2 Way Pager. Look at the FLEX logo on the dead ctr rear of the Keyboard. You can buy one right now from Skytel, no need to wait!!!
Actually to be exact, Motorola stopped making the TalkAbout and they are now selling a very very close clone to it. Occasionally you can grab a refurb or a new / used one off Ebay. I still have mine, would love to activate it to this day. Tiny and compact, 1 month on a AA battery (as previously stated) Keyboard, News Messages and other Headlines and bundled with a EMAIL adddress so you can send / receive. Love it.
Problem was I got tried of paying $15 a month for a toy I really wasnt using (I had a great Granfathered plan) It is probably closer to $25 mth to get one these days.