Amazon devices chief says a new smartphone is "just not the goal"

"“Here's what I'd say: it's just not the goal. I know there's a lot of rumors out there,” Panay responded. Panay said Amazon is not “necessarily” trying to create a new phone. He added: “There's no clear path that makes sense... there's so many new form factors that are important that need to be focused on. It's a tricky question. If I black-and-white say no, I would say that was accurate. But I also think it's misleading.”"

"“There's no clear path that makes sense... there's so many new form factors that are important that need to be focused on. It's a tricky question. If I black-and-white say no, I would say that was accurate. But I also think it's misleading.”"

"Panay pointed to the importance of making “a big bet when you need to,” suggesting that currently, Amazon doesn't need to release a phone."

"In March, Reuters reported that Amazon was developing a new smartphone. Citing four anonymous “people familiar with the matter,” the publication said that Amazon was exploring using Alexa as an operating system and developing the phone, codenamed Transformer, to push people to use Amazon's AI and other services. At the time, the sources said that Transformer could still be canceled."

Amazon is exploring devices and services but says a new smartphone is not a current objective. Reuters previously reported that Amazon was developing a phone codenamed Transformer and considering Alexa as an operating system to drive use of Amazon’s AI and other services, though the project could still be canceled. Amazon’s devices and services head Panos Panay stated that rumors about a new phone are not aligned with the company’s intent. He said Amazon is not necessarily trying to create a new phone and emphasized that there is no clear path that makes sense because many new form factors require focus. He also said Amazon should make a big bet only when needed, implying no immediate need for a phone.

Read at Ars Technica