Amazon's 3D phone takes on Apple, Samsung

You will soon be able to shop online in 3D style. Online retail giant Amazon.com could soon come out with a smartphone of its own. And what’s more the smartphone it is being said could incorporate a glass-less 3D technology.

The news about Amazon’s impending phone with the 3D screen was first reported by The Wall Street Journal last May.

In its recent report, WSJ reports that the new phone could be announced in June and reach retail stores around September.

Quoting sources familiar with the plans the newspaper reported on Friday that, “the phone would employ retina-tracking technology embedded in four front-facing cameras, or sensors, to make some images appear to be 3-D, similar to a hologram.”

This is not the first time we are hearing reports about Amazon’s plans to enter the smartphone sector. Last October, Financial Times first reported that Amazon could be working with none other than HTC to bring out a smartphone.

In fact HTC way back in 2012 released its Evo 3D – a 3D-enabled android smartphone in the US market.

Amazon’s push into the smartphone sector is not surprising as smartphones have been increasingly used for online purchases.

According to Goldman Sachs, global e-commerce sales made via mobile devices are expected to top $638 billion by 2018.

The extent of online business opportunity could even see Amazon heavily subsidising the smartphone pricing, thereby emerging as a credible threat to Apple and Samsung.

Amazon is already competing with the two with its Kindle and the just released Fire TV.

In the US markets the $99 Fire TV is will stream Amazon’s Instant Video and Prime Instant Video - the unlimited movie and TV service.

Amazon’s Kindle tablets have seen pretty impressive sales especially in markets like the US and parts of Europe where people use it as a perfect gift.

Last Christmas for example it was reported that the Kindle was activated two dozen times more than even Apple or Samsung a record for Christmas day activations.