News - Amazon is expected to announce its 3D smartphone in June

[HEXUS]

Tthe device, with retina-tracking technology, will reportedly ship in September.

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[Brewster0101]

So probably the biggest issue with the Kindle tablets is the Amazon skin over Android and this issue will continue over with these handsets.

[herulach]

Whilst I like the idea of the subsidised phone, the 3D etc seems like a massive gimmick. it was kind of novel on the 3DS, but nothing I'd pay extra for.

[VijaySathyan]

Wonder how long the batteries would last on 3D mode? A few minutes maybe...?

[crossy]

Whilst I like the idea of the subsidised phone, the 3D etc seems like a massive gimmick. it was kind of novel on the 3DS, but nothing I'd pay extra for.

Wasn't there some articles on how the 3D mode on the 3DS gave some users headaches and/or nausea? If so, then I don't see the 3D effect on a smartphone being a big draw.

Plus, I don't get what I would need a "3D screen" mode for - unless to watch 3D movies perhaps. I supposed 3D photography is a possibility - but that seems to me to be a massive gimmick.

[herulach]

Wasn't there some articles on how the 3D mode on the 3DS gave some users headaches and/or nausea? If so, then I don't see the 3D effect on a smartphone being a big draw.

Plus, I don't get what I would need a "3D screen" mode for - unless to watch 3D movies perhaps. I supposed 3D photography is a possibility - but that seems to me to be a massive gimmick.

Yes, and a lot of it was FUD.

[Saracen]

Yes, and a lot of it was FUD.

Maybe, but headache problems with 3D TVs certainly isn't all FUD, though some may be. I tried several TVs, from basic consumer to high-end models and, every single time, within 10-15 mins, at most, they gave me a headache.

Maybe some anecdotal evidence is misleading, of FUD, by my personal experience is, 100% of the time, it causes me problems.

As for tablets, let alone phones, I can't comment. I don't even want to watch movies on a tablet, not ever, and a phone? No way. I'd far rather not watch a movie, and save it for some other time on a proper TV than watch it on a tablet. I don't even want to watch Youtube clips on a phone, never mind a whole movie, So I have zero experience of 3D on small devices, and no opinion to offer, beyond a deep suspicion that if 3D on a high-end TV gives me a headache, it very likely would on a phone or tablet.

As for this Amazon device, it's an epic fail for me. I tried Amazon's tablets, and rejected them because of the front-end, and the commercial tie-ins. Subsidised or not, I'd rather pay full price and get a more vanilla device, though I'd be far more impressed with this Samsung Tab if I could get rid of the Samsung-branded garbage apps without having to resort to rooting and/or custom ROMs. No way, personally would I buy something so heavily front-ended as the Amazon tablets. Frankly, as sold, I wouldn't want one if they gave it to me. My ONLY use for it would involve customs ROMs, if they exist (probably do, but I'm not interested enough to have checked).

[herulach]

Maybe, but headache problems with 3D TVs certainly isn't all FUD, though some may be. I tried several TVs, from basic consumer to high-end models and, every single time, within 10-15 mins, at most, they gave me a headache.

Maybe some anecdotal evidence is misleading, of FUD, by my personal experience is, 100% of the time, it causes me problems.

As for tablets, let alone phones, I can't comment. I don't even want to watch movies on a tablet, not ever, and a phone? No way. I'd far rather not watch a movie, and save it for some other time on a proper TV than watch it on a tablet. I don't even want to watch Youtube clips on a phone, never mind a whole movie, So I have zero experience of 3D on small devices, and no opinion to offer, beyond a deep suspicion that if 3D on a high-end TV gives me a headache, it very likely would on a phone or tablet.

As for this Amazon device, it's an epic fail for me. I tried Amazon's tablets, and rejected them because of the front-end, and the commercial tie-ins. Subsidised or not, I'd rather pay full price and get a more vanilla device, though I'd be far more impressed with this Samsung Tab if I could get rid of the Samsung-branded garbage apps without having to resort to rooting and/or custom ROMs. No way, personally would I buy something so heavily front-ended as the Amazon tablets. Frankly, as sold, I wouldn't want one if they gave it to me. My ONLY use for it would involve customs ROMs, if they exist (probably do, but I'm not interested enough to have checked).

Couldn't agree more, I was mostly referring to the '3DS melts kids brain' type headlines that surrounded the launch. I'm a bit confused by no movies on a tablet though. I honestly can't think of anything else I'd miss my nexus 10 for. Particularly when travelling etc.

[Saracen]

Couldn't agree more, I was mostly referring to the '3DS melts kids brain' type headlines that surrounded the launch. I'm a bit confused by no movies on a tablet though. I honestly can't think of anything else I'd miss my nexus 10 for. Particularly when travelling etc.

I don't disagree (or agree) on the "melt brains" headline, having little beyond conjecture to base it on. I wouldn't be surprised if it caused headaches with some people, like 3D TVs, but beyond "wouldn't be surprised" .... dunno.

As for watching movies, it's like this. To me, a movie is a time to sit back, comfy chair, maybe a cold drink, and relax . It's the only way I enjoy the movie. I don't want to watch it on a small (tablet) screen, let alone a tiny (phone) screen. To me, it's a waste of a movie. Where's the tablet while you're watching? Holding it? Shudder. Propped up on a table? Nah, not comfortable enough

I find a (good) movie an immersive experience. Or even a good TV show for that matter .... hence my utter contempt for in-prog adverts. Which is why I time-shift and de-advert TV progs before watching them. The adverts break the atmosphere, interrupts the experience and destroys the immersiveness. In short, it totally ruins the point of me watching the movie/TV prog in the first place.

And so does a tablet.

Unless I'm comfortable, both in sitting and viewing, I don't enjoy the film. Tablets are great for lightweight web browsing, which is about all I use mine for, but watching movies? Not for me.

Of course, this is personal, and YMMV. If you enjoy a movie on your tablet, on a train, plane, hotel room, whatever, I'm not suggssting for a moment there's anything wrong with that. I just don't enjoy it. My bet is I'm probably in the minority on that, but part of my personal philosophy is that I don't do things because I can, unless I want to. I could watch movies on a tablet, but why bother when it ruins the movie for me.

[herulach]

I don't disagree (or agree) on the "melt brains" headline, having little beyond conjecture to base it on. I wouldn't be surprised if it caused headaches with some people, like 3D TVs, but beyond "wouldn't be surprised" .... dunno.

As for watching movies, it's like this. To me, a movie is a time to sit back, comfy chair, maybe a cold drink, and relax . It's the only way I enjoy the movie. I don't want to watch it on a small (tablet) screen, let alone a tiny (phone) screen. To me, it's a waste of a movie. Where's the tablet while you're watching? Holding it? Shudder. Propped up on a table? Nah, not comfortable enough

I find a (good) movie an immersive experience. Or even a good TV show for that matter .... hence my utter contempt for in-prog adverts. Which is why I time-shift and de-advert TV progs before watching them. The adverts break the atmosphere, interrupts the experience and destroys the immersiveness. In short, it totally ruins the point of me watching the movie/TV prog in the first place.

And so does a tablet.

Unless I'm comfortable, both in sitting and viewing, I don't enjoy the film. Tablets are great for lightweight web browsing, which is about all I use mine for, but watching movies? Not for me.

Of course, this is personal, and YMMV. If you enjoy a movie on your tablet, on a train, plane, hotel room, whatever, I'm not suggssting for a moment there's anything wrong with that. I just don't enjoy it. My bet is I'm probably in the minority on that, but part of my personal philosophy is that I don't do things because I can, unless I want to. I could watch movies on a tablet, but why bother when it ruins the movie for me.

I'd certainly much rather be watching sprawled on the settee with the lights off, but, with decent screens, propped up on a tray table isn't a bad. and its streets ahead of a 6" 640*480 seatback monstrosity!

[mtyson]

Pictures of what is said to be the Amazon 3D smartphone have surfaced on BGR today:

[crossy]

[Wasn't there some articles on how the 3D mode on the 3DS gave some users headaches and/or nausea? If so, then I don't see the 3D effect on a smartphone being a big draw.] Yes, and a lot of it was FUD.

I know some people who found the 3DS's display ... uncomfortable.

There's still the point though about what use a 3D display is on a phone. I seem to remember LG trying something similar and the resulting phone didn't exactly fly off of the shelves. Strikes me as one of those "we do this because we can" items.

Saracen: I prefer films on a proper TV too. However, if you're stuck in a hotel room (or waiting for a plane that's delayed) then it's kind of handy to have a couple of decent flics to while away the wait. However, I certainly wouldn't want to watch anything lengthy - like one of the LOTR films - and I can't see the attraction of watching any film on a small phone's screen (e.g. <5").