Where Does Amazon Fit in the Game of Phones?

Amazon may be stepping up its game in the mobile market. According to unnamed sources, Bloomberg reports that the e-commerce giant is developing a smartphone as its newest entry into the mobile hardware ecosystem. Rumors of an Amazon Android phone are nothing new. But if Amazon does decide to enter the Game of Phones, will it be able to succeed in the competitive landscape dominated by companies like Apple and Samsung?

The Summer Rumor Cycle

When it comes to mobile devices, summer is the time for rumors. There’s not much else going on. The conference circuits of the spring, such as the Consumer Electronics Show, Mobile World Congress and CTIA, often come with flashy device announcements that are released by the middle of the year. The fall brings more hyped announcements, as manufacturers prepare their holiday headliners. Summer is what comes between – the time to speculate on what the fall lineups will look like.