Andre Yoskowitz
11 Aug 2010 14:30
According to sources talking to the NYTimes, Amazon is still actively considering getting into the media player and smartphone markets, moving away from just selling the Kindle e-reader on the hardware side.
The sources say Amazon wants to make it easier for consumers to purchase content from Amazon MP3 and Amazon Video on Demand, just like how Apple has iTunes and the App Store built-in to all their "i" devices.
Amazon's internal hardware division, known as "Lab 126," has put out a few versions of the very popular Kindle e-reader but has done little else.
While the company has explored getting into the smartphone market, one source does say that project is out of the "company's reach," at this point.
Says the Times: "Internally, Amazon executives have been frustrated with other companies aggressively entering the digital content business, and one person with direct knowledge of the company's plans said executives there were prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure Amazon remained a major player in the sale of digital content."
The giant e-tailer is currently looking to expand Lab 126 by hiring new employees.