iOS

632 'iOS' stories May 2011 - December 2013

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Google releases XE12 Glass update w/ wink gesture for photos, screen lock, Hangouts, much more

Jordan Kahn Dec 17 2013 - 1:00 pm PT

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Google today officially released its latest update for Google Glass, XE12, alongside the news that its MyGlass for iOS app will arriving later this week. The app briefly made an appearance on the App Store today but was quickly removed. The update also includes a number of new features including enhancements to the Google Play music feature it first started rolling out earlier this month, a new screen lock security feature, improved integration with Hangouts and YouTube, and brand new winking gestures.

For those times you might miss a shot, try capturing the moment with a wink. The Wink feature is a exploratory feature that lets you take a picture with a wink. It’s even faster than the camera button or voice action and it even works when the display is off…Wink is a exploratory feature. To use it, you’ll need a device purchased or swapped after October 28th, 2013. If that’s you, give it a shot and tell us what you think in the Explorers Community.

Also new in the update is a new “Listen” action menu for Google Play Music, new YouTube options, the ability to set up a unique pattern as a screen lock much like on Android, and Hangouts Glassware for sending and receiving video calls.
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Spotify introduces new service tier with free streaming on Android, iOS tablets

David Beren Dec 11 2013 - 7:29 am PT

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Spotify fans the world over take note, the company is moving into the ad-supported model with a new app for both iOS and Android tablets. The company is introducing a whole new tier of service on mobile, providing users an opportunity to listen and search for songs on the go for free on tablets.

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Google Drive updated for iOS, adds sorting feature for files

David Beren Dec 10 2013 - 12:36 pm PT

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Chalk up another Google Drive update for iOS as Google just announced a new sorting feature for files. Google’s iOS version of Google Drive has received quite a few updates in recent months to bring it in line with its Android counterpart. The new sorting feature should prove useful to just about every Google Drive user as it’s a much-needed and important feature.

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Chromecast picks up 10 new apps including Plex, Vevo, & Songza

Zac Hall Dec 10 2013 - 8:25 am PT

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(via <a href="http://www.flickr.com/apollo_zac" target="_blank">Flickr</a>)

Google announced today a major round of app additions for its media streaming Chromecast HDMI stick including Plex, Vevo, Songza, and more.

Chromecast, which retails for $35 (currently $32.88 on Amazon Prime), can now play local files synced with your Plex media library from iOS, Android, or Chrome. Plex support is highly requested and offers a major advantage for content consumers looking to play content from a device to an HDTV.

Today’s update also brings support for the music video streaming service Vevo as well as the music discovery radio Songza.
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Eric Schmidt takes to Google+ and tells you all about ditching your iPhone

David Beren Nov 24 2013 - 2:57 pm PT

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I think we all deserve to give Google Chairman Eric Schmidt a round of applause for his recently posted Google+ message telling the world how to ditch the iPhone. In a fairly lengthy write-up, Schmidt describes in detail how to set up an Android device, move contacts over to Gmail from iCloud and a quick reminder that ditching Safari for Chrome is the new hotness.

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Google Maps SDK for iOS adds 64 bit support and more

Jordan Kahn Nov 19 2013 - 3:34 pm PT

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We just released version 1.6 of the Google Maps SDK for iOS with 64 bit support, marker opacity, and min/max zoom http://t.co/o0MrnJfxPE

— Google Maps Platform (@GMapsPlatform) November 19, 2013

Developers that are using Google’s Maps APIs to build iOS apps will be pleased with Google’s latest update to its Google Maps SDK for iOS today. Version 1.6 of the SDK brings one notable new feature for developers that are transitioning their apps to iOS 7’s new 64 bit architecture available for devices running Apple’s new A7 processor.

The SDK now fully supports 64-bit architectures with both the 32 and 64 bit binaries built into a single updated GoogleMaps framework. Google notes that “The correct binary will be selected by Xcode based on your build settings.”

Version 1.6 of the new Google Maps SDK for iOS also includes a few other new features including enhanced marker opacity and min/max zoom settings. A full list of what’s new and fixed is below:

Version 1.6 – November 2013

Download version 1.6.

Features

The Google Maps SDK for iOS now supports 64-bit architectures. Both 32 and 64 bit binaries are built into the single GoogleMaps framework. The correct binary will be selected by Xcode based on your build settings. For instructions on building 64-bit applications, please refer to Apple’s 64-bit transition guide. (Issue 5806)
Changed some instances of CGFloat to either a float or double where it was more appropriate.
Added the ability to restrict min and max zoom on GMSMapView. (Issue 5882)
Added opacity on GMSTileLayer and GMSMarker.
Core Animation on GMSMapView now requires model values to be set

Resolved issues:

Info windows and tappable regions now rotate correctly with markers. (Issue 5896, Issue 5969)
Padding on a GMSMapView is no longer clamped to its bounds (useful if setting padding on an initially zero-sized map). (Issue 5864)
Copyright information now animates when changing GMSMapView size or padding.
Info windows are removed if their GMSMarker is removed from a GMSMapView. (Issue 5856)
My Location dot uses the last known location information when enabled. (Issue 5590)
Resolved two rare race conditions that were causing crashes. (Issue 5795)
Resolved an issue where retain cycles were causing memory leaks on GMSMapView and GMSPanoramaView.

Google Shopping Express adds same-day deliveries for Costco in San Fran Bay Area

Jordan Kahn Nov 18 2013 - 3:05 pm PT

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After expanding its same-day delivery service to the entire Bay Area back in September alongside new mobile apps, Google today announced the latest update to Google Shopping Express. The service is now officially available to Costco shoppers in the San Francisco Bay Area, allowing them to get same-day deliveries for items ordered online or through the Google Shopping Express mobile apps.

Google is also still offering six months of free same-delivery until the end of the year and $5 off your first order.

The Google Shopping Express mobile app is available for Android or iPhone.

Google Shopping Express for iPhone updated with loyalty cards, bug fixes, and more

Mike Beasley Nov 14 2013 - 9:03 pm PT

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Google updated its Shopping Express app for iPhone today with support for loyalty cards from “lots of stores,” and other improvements. Among the enhancements are a faster method of adding items to your shopping cart and the ability to zoom in on product photos.

The update also adds support for autocorrect in the search bar, which should help people who suck at typing (like me) find what they’re looking for much more easily. Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper app update without a miscellaneous collection of unnamed “bug fixes,” so that’s included as well.

The update is available for free on the iPhone App Store.

Google makes it easier for Android & iOS devs to deploy cloud backends w/ Cloud Platform updates

Jordan Kahn Nov 11 2013 - 7:32 am PT

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Google is making some improvements to its Google Cloud Platform today that will make it easier for developers to provide cloud services across apps on multiple platforms. After first launching a preview of Cloud Endpoints earlier this year, Google announced today that the web backend solution for app developers has moved to General Availability. Cloud Endpoints provide developers with an easy way of building a simplified cloud backend to deploy across their web, Android and iPhone apps:
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Google Drive for iOS updated with multiple account support, printing

Mark Gurman Nov 7 2013 - 9:23 am PT

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Following the significant revamp of Google’s iOS Search app earlier this week, the search company updated its Google Drive application for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch with several new features.

What’s New in Version 2.1.0

– Multiple Account Support. You can now switch between personal, work, or any other Google account
– Single Sign In: Sign in once to Google Drive and you’ll automatically be signed in to apps like YouTube, Google Maps, Chrome, and G+
– Print your files now with Google Cloud Print or AirPrint
– iOS 7 Support

Notably, users can now have multiple accounts on Drive for iOS and the app supports single-sign-on across Google apps on iOS. Also new is increased compatibility for iOS 7 and printing either via AirPrint or Google Cloud Print.

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Google Search iOS app gets massive update w/ ‘OK Google’ handsfree voice search, notifications, reminders, much more

Jordan Kahn Nov 5 2013 - 8:46 am PT

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[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8Ey0AufD9g]

The Google Search iOS app has received a huge update today that brings a number of new features including the ability to activate voice search handsfree. Users on iPhone 4S or later can now simply say “OK Google” to begin a voice search, much like what users have been able to do with Google Now on Android devices for quite some time.

Version 3.1.0 now includes notifications for upcoming events, flights and public transit. For example, the Google Search app will provide notifications for delayed flights, tell you how long you have to catch the last train, and remind you of upcoming appointments . You can also now set reminders within the app:

Ask Google to remember things for you. Just say
• “Remind me to buy coffee beans at Starbucks,” or
• “Remind me to check out the fair this weekend”
and Google will remind you at the right time or place

In addition, Google says users can now set reminders for when their favorite musicians, tv shows, actors or celebrities are releasing new content or appear in headlines. There are also new cards in the app that display info for movie and event tickets, boarding passes, reservation confirmation for rental cars, public transit and upcoming events.

The massive update also includes a redesigned homepage, new gestures for zooming and moving images, one touch sign-in for other Google apps, and “improved voiceover accessibility”. It’s certainly a big update for the Google Search app that brings it closer to the Google Now equivalent at the heart of Android.

What’s New in Version 3.1.0

Google Now gets even better with:
• Notifications – Get notified when it’s time to go
• Reminders – Never forget to put out the trash
• New cards – See tickets, boarding passes, & more
• Handsfree voice – Just say “OK Google” to search*
* requires iPhone 4s or later

Notifications deliver info before you open the app:
• When to leave for your next appointment or event
• If your flight is running late
• How to catch the last train home

Ask Google to remember things for you. Just say
• “Remind me to buy coffee beans at Starbucks,” or
• “Remind me to check out the fair this weekend”
and Google will remind you at the right time or place.

You can also ask to be reminded when your favorite:
• Musicians release a new album
• TV show has a new episode
• Actors star in a new movie
• Celebrities and politicians make headlines
Just search and press the “remind me” button.

New cards organize the info you care about:
• Tickets for movies, concerts and events
• Boarding passes for your flights
• Reservation confirmations for car rentals
• Warnings when your last train home leaves
• Lists of upcoming local events

And finally, search is better than ever with:
• A redesigned and simplified homepage
• Gestures to zoom or throw away images
• One touch sign in if you use other Google apps
• Improved voiceover accessibility

Google Hangouts for iOS adds outgoing and incoming voice calls through Google Voice

Mike Beasley Oct 18 2013 - 4:53 pm PT

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The Google Voice app for iPhone and iPad got a significant update to version 1.3 today. The update introduces Google Voice integration that allows incoming calls to your Google Voice number and outgoing calls to U.S. and Canadian numbers. Also inlcuding in the new version is the ability to see which friends are currently online, support for animated GIFs, and a fix to keep the app from stopping your music when a message comes in. The update is available for free to all users on the iOS App Store now.
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Google’s Sparrow mail app updated for the first time in months with new icon, iOS 7 fixes

Benjamin Mayo Oct 15 2013 - 8:14 am PT

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Despite being bought out by Google, the replacement mail app Sparrow has now been updated for iOS 7. Whilst the developers behind Sparrow never said that work on the app had ceased, this was the implied meaning of Sparrow’s thank you letter still visible on the Sparrow website. Until today, the app had not been updated since December 2012, nearly a year ago.

This update brings compatibility bug fixes for iOS 7 as well as a new flatter icon, shown above. Even so, work on Sparrow is obviously not a priority for the team. Apart from a new icon, the point-fix update brings no new visual appearance to the app’s interface or any new features for users.

Google to track mobile app usage via Mobile Meter app

Ben Lovejoy Oct 15 2013 - 6:09 am PT

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Image: digitallifeplus.com

Google has confirmed it’s working on a Mobile Meter app for both Android and iOS to allow it to monitor how smartphone owners use mobile apps. But no need for any privacy panicking: the app will be available only to those who have opted in to Google’s Screenwise paid market research panel, reports Engadget.

The Mobile Meter apps will replace an older method that allowed panelists to participate, helping Google measure media consumption across all screens but with more accurate results on mobile. Both the Android and iOS apps will be submitted to their relevant app stores in the near future, although only panelists will be able to actually use them …
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Google Play Music ‘All Access’ for iOS reportedly landing this month following internal beta

Jordan Kahn Oct 3 2013 - 9:06 am PT

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Since first announcing its Google Play Music ‘All Access’ streaming service earlier this year on Android, Google has been delaying the release of an official Google Play Music app for iOS for unknown reasons. Android chief Sundar Pichai originally said the app would be out in “the next few weeks” in May, but four months later we’ve yet to get an iOS app or access to the $9.99 month streaming service on iOS. Today, Engadget reports that Google is continuing to test the app internally and will launch it later this month:

Sources aware of Google’s plans have let slip to Engadget that not only is the company currently testing a native Google Music iOS app internally, but that it’ll launch later this month. We’re told that while employees have been invited to test the app, Google still needs to fix a few bugs before it’s ready for release… The company had previously closed the door on iOS users because Flash was needed to enforce DRM restrictions set by music labels. Now, Google appears to have overcome that issue and is nearly ready to launch.

Until the official app from Google launches, popular third-party clients like the gMusic app have been updated to support the “All Access” streaming service.
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Is Amazon building a ChromeCast-type of TV product called the ‘Firetube’

Seth Weintraub Oct 3 2013 - 5:52 am PT

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We got a tip (Thanks Guy!) that Amazon had trademarked the name ‘Firetube’ in Canada and the US. With all of the news surrounding the Amazon Phone lately – I immediately thought that is a dumb name for a phone.

[tweet https://twitter.com/llsethj/status/385746818480742400]

Seconds later it hit me. Tube=TV. Amazon needs a TV product to counter Apple and Google.

[tweet https://twitter.com/llsethj/status/385748077677936640]

It makes a lot of sense. Amazon has all of this content on the Fire and no way to put it on a TV yet. They have to release some type of Chromecast competitor and quick. There are, of course, rumors of an Amazon TV. Lots of rumors. Bloomberg thinks Fall 2013 is the planned launch window. That’s right now.

Quick thoughts: Will it play from the iOS app? Will it be cheap and cost ~$35 like the ChromeCast? Bundled with Kindle? Will it work with older devices? I’ve reached out to Amazon for a comment.

With the name now public and the holidays approaching, it would be surprising not to see an announcement soon.

Hulu Plus app adds support for Chromecast for big-screen viewing

Ben Lovejoy Oct 2 2013 - 4:36 am PT

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Google has announced that Hulu has added Chromecast support to its Hulu Plus app, enabling online shows to be viewed on the big screen – something it promised back in July.

Now you can easily enjoy your favorite shows, such as “Modern Family,” “New Girl” and “Parks and Recreation,” on your big-screen TV by casting from Hulu Plus on your mobile phone or tablet. It’s the same intuitive, remote-free experience you’ve come to enjoy with the other Chromecast-supported apps, and is as simple as pressing the Cast button which will now appear in the app …
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Facebook Android app now lets you edit posts and comments

Jordan Kahn Sep 26 2013 - 11:43 am PT

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Facebook is rolling out an update to its Android app today that brings a much welcomed new feature with the ability to edit posts and comments after sharing. Previously the only option was to delete and or repost a comment, but now users will be able to tap an arrow on each post and select “Edit post” to quickly make and save changes. You’ll also be able to see a history of changes.

The ability to edit posts and comments is rolling out today for Android and on the web.

The updated Android app also includes a few other new features. A full list of what else is new below:

-Use icons in status updates to express what you’re feeling or doing

-See upcoming events at a glance on your favorite Pages

-Create and share new photo albums from your phone

Google expands same-day delivery service to the entire Bay Area, launches new iOS and Android apps

Chance Miller Sep 25 2013 - 4:28 pm PT

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Nearly a year ago, Google began testing its same-day delivery service in a small area of the Bay Area in California. Part of the Google Shopping Express service, the same day delivery shipping was available with a handful of retailers and only to a handful of people. Today, however, the company has announced that Shopping Express is now open to everyone living or working in the Bay Area delivery zone, which runs from San Francisco to San Jose. Same-day delivery is available from a variety of local and national businesses, including American Eagle, Blue Bottle Coffee, Lucky, Office Depot, Palo Alto Toy & Sport, Photojojo, Raley’s Nob Hill Foods, Staples, Target, Toys“R”Us/Babies“R”Us, and Walgreens.

In addition to expanding the service to more people, Google has also launched a Shopping Express app for both iOS and Android. The app allows you to easily buy goods from all of those retailers and have them shipped to your door on the same day.

For a limited time only, Google is offering six months of free, unlimited same-day delivery. Normally, the shipping runs $4.99 per store order.

BlackBerry announces BBM for Android arriving on September 21

Jordan Kahn Sep 18 2013 - 11:41 am PT

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BBM-for-all

After first announcing that its popular BBM messaging service would be arriving on iOS and Android sometime during the summer, BlackBerry finally confirmed in a blog post today that the app would be released on Sept. 21 for Android followed by a release on iOS on Sept. 22.

BBM will be available as a free download for Android smartphones running Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean (Android 4.x) beginning at 7AM EDT on September 21. BBM for iPhones running iOS 6 and iOS 7 will become available for each market on the App Store schedule of 12:01 AM local time on September 22. For more information, or to download BBM for Android or iPhone, visit www.BBM.com.

BBM for iPhone and Android will initially include chat, photo and voice note sharing, multi-person chats with up to 30 people, and the ability to post status updates and personal messages. However, BlackBerry says the apps will get BBM Channels in a future updates:

BBM will continue to evolve quickly. Later this year, BBM Channels will provide a forum for active, real conversations between you and the people, brands, celebrities, artists, service providers, communities and more, that matter to you. By creating a Channel, individuals and brands can engage their friends and communities in conversations sparked by their thoughts, ideas and passions. Subscribing to a Channel will let you join conversations with people who share your interests. In addition, BBM Video calling and BBM Voice calling are planned for availability for Android and iPhone in a future version.

Google Glass does car maintenance – a hands-free car manual

Ben Lovejoy Sep 18 2013 - 6:52 am PT

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPlaa1xhX4s

Augmented reality specialist Metaio has put together an interesting proof-of-concept video illustrating how vehicle manuals could soon be a thing of the past, with Glass providing all the instruction needed …

The demo is an extremely simple one (and anyone who needs to be told that step 1 of filling the washer fluid is opening the bonnet probably shouldn’t be allowed behind the wheel of a car), but it’s easy to see how the same approach could be used for the most technical of operations by a car mechanic.

Metaio previously put together an iOS app for Audi with a similar approach.

You can find some other Glass ideas that caught our eye linked in the opening sentence here – with this one (a surgeon allowing colleagues to watch an operation) coming along shortly afterwards.

YouTube offline viewing coming soon – but no details revealed

Ben Lovejoy Sep 18 2013 - 5:29 am PT

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The YouTube Creator blog reveals that offline video viewing will be launched in November, but doesn’t reveal any details.

We’re always exploring ways to bring more viewers to your content. As part of this effort, later this year we’ll launch a new feature on YouTube’s mobile apps that will help you reach fans — even when they’re not connected to the Internet. This upcoming feature will allow people to add videos to their device to watch for a short period when an Internet connection is unavailable. So your fans’ ability to enjoy your videos no longer has to be interrupted by something as commonplace as a morning commute …
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Apple built Google Glass-like prototypes, says former Senior VP of iPod division

Ben Lovejoy Sep 10 2013 - 5:50 am PT

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Tony Fadell, the Nest CEO who was Senior VP of Apple’s division from 2006 to 2008, says that Apple built prototypes of a similar device to Google Glass but “didn’t have time” to turn them into actual products.

Interviewed as part of Fast Company‘s Oral History of Apple Design series, Fadell said:

At Apple, we were always asking, What else can we revolutionize? We looked at video cameras and remote controls. The craziest thing we talked about was something like Google Glass. We said, “What if we make visors, so it’s like you’re sitting in a theater?” I built a bunch of those prototypes. But we had such success with the things we were already doing that we didn’t have time.

From the description, the prototypes sound rather more like virtual reality headsets than Google Glass, so there may be some exaggeration going on here. But it wouldn’t be a tremendous surprise to find that Apple has toyed with almost every tech idea under the sun: it has the resources needed to experiment at will.

The notion that Apple didn’t pursue the concept for lack of time seems rather more fanciful: it’s not like the company couldn’t have run out and hired a complete team for the project had it wished to do so.

Apple has always had a philosophy of focusing all its efforts on a very small number of products. Back in 2011, iPod, iPhone and iOS product marketing head Greg Joswiak described “saying no” as one of Apple’s four keys to success.

It means saying no, not saying yes. We do very few things at Apple. We are $100bn in revenue with very few products. There are only so many grade A players. If you spread yourself out over too many things, none of them will be great.

Tim Cook said in May of this year that broad range appeal for Google Glass was “tough to see.”

Amazon considers making its upcoming smartphone free (New statement: it won’t be)

Mark Gurman Sep 6 2013 - 1:07 pm PT

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Update: Amazon has now said that the phone won’t be launched this year, and it won’t be free. “We have no plans to offer a phone this year, and if we were to launch a phone in the future, it would not be free,” Amazon said in a statement to AllThingsD.

According to Jessica Lessin and Amir Efrati, Amazon is considering making its upcoming, long-rumored smartphone available to consumers free of charge. However, it is unclear what strings are attached to the deal:

There are many unanswered questions about the plan and what strings will be attached for customers. One of them is whether Amazon would require its smartphone owners to pay for services such as Amazon Prime, the company’s loyalty program. But the people familiar with the matter said that Amazon wants the device to be free whether or not people sign up for a new wireless plan at the same time. (Wireless carriers typically discount the price of devices if customers sign up for a one- or two-year wireless contract.)

A launch date for the device is currently unclear. Like with the Kindle Fire tablets, past reports have suggested that the Amazon phone will run on a forked version of Google’s Android operating system.

Earlier this year, reports emerged with claims that Amazon is working on a bevy of products, including a phone with a 3D display, and various audio/media center devices. Amazon’s hardware development division for these products is (like Apple) situated in Cupertino.

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