The rumors and thoughts of Amazon expanding their technological prowess beyond the tablet market isn’t anything new. They have been reportedly working on phones for a little while, but of course without a launch yet. Very recently the phone rumors sparked up again with some fairly interesting ideas like a 3D interface and something about a free device. We all expect them to do something at some point, but are very leary about how they implement their FireOS to a smartphone. A new set of trademark filings have surfaced today that reference another product that Amazon has been rumored to be working on. The name, Firetube.
They say the box will plug into TVs and give users access to Amazon’s expanding video offerings. Those include its a la carte Video on Demand store, which features newer films and TV shows, and its Instant Video service, which is free for subscribers to the Amazon Prime two-day shipping package. The Amazon set-top box will compete with similar products like the Roku, Apple TV and the Boxee Cloud DVR, along with more versatile devices like the Playstation 3 and the Xbox. An Amazon spokesperson declined to comment.
Or so the story goes. Amazon does have quite an offering available to consumers and quite a great number of them would love to stick with an Amazon product if possible. This fall would be the likely launch window for such a device. After making the new Kindle Fire HDX series available for pre-order with that extra special “Second Screen” option, it isn’t too far-fetched that there is something coming that will be miracast enabled to join the tablets with your TV.
The WSJ chimed in on the subject using their own Amazon sources who claim the Firetube is indeed going to be a small device that resembles a Roku. The internal name for the device is “cinnamon” and it will “run apps and content from a variety of sources.†Meaning that Netflix, YouTube and the likes will most likely be installed or available. After all, killing things off won’t make it a hot seller for people.
I guess we will all just have to sit and wait to see what Amazon has up their sleeves for the holiday season. Will you be watching for the Firetube and possibly grab one if the price is right?
