Amazon Device Launch Invites Show Off "3-D" Interface

Amazon announced today it will hold a “device unveiling” event on June 18 in Seattle, dropping hints that correspond with what we already know about its project to build a mobile phone.

In a video, Amazon showed what appear to be beta testers moving their heads from side to side while looking at something held offscreen. “It moved with me,” one of them says.

This seems to be the “3-D” display that Re/code and others previously reported on.

Sources tell Re/code that one advantage of this display will supposedly be that the phone can be moved from right to left to navigate, so a user can interact with the interface with only one hand. Both HTC and Samsung have experimented with 3-D and eye-tracking displays — on their HTC EVO 3D and Samsung Galaxy S4, respectively — but neither to great effect.

An Amazon representative said the event would be for customers, developers and the media, but didn’t offer further details.

As a twist, Amazon isn’t sending out invitations, but encouraging those who want to attend to apply.

Update: Asked whether this would be the long-expected phone, an Amazon representative said, “You’ll have to wait and see.”

This article originally appeared on Recode.net.

Will you support Vox’s explanatory journalism?

Most news outlets make their money through advertising or subscriptions. But when it comes to what we’re trying to do at Vox, there are a couple of big issues with relying on ads and subscriptions to keep the lights on:

First, advertising dollars go up and down with the economy. We often only know a few months out what our advertising revenue will be, which makes it hard to plan ahead.

Second, we’re not in the subscriptions business. Vox is here to help everyone understand the complex issues shaping the world — not just the people who can afford to pay for a subscription. We believe that’s an important part of building a more equal society. And we can’t do that if we have a paywall.

So even though advertising is still our biggest source of revenue, we also seek grants and reader support. (And no matter how our work is funded, we have strict guidelines on editorial independence.)

If you also believe that everyone deserves access to trusted high-quality information, will you make a gift to Vox today? Any amount helps.

One-Time Monthly Annual

$5/month

$10/month

$25/month

$50/month

Other

$

Yes, I'll give $5/month

Yes, I'll give $5/month

We accept credit card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. You can also contribute via