By Amazon has had “phones” section of their website for quite awhile, but today the company announced a beta program called “Amazon Wireless” to simplify the process of purchasing cellular phones and service plans. While the press release promotes AmazonWireless.com, visiting that URL forwards you to http://wireless.amazon.com where the new interface is found:
Right now the Amazon Wireless program only offers Verizon and AT&T products, but that will change along with a host of other things. The press release says they’ll be testing various things throughout the beta and collect feedback about customer experience.
SEATTLE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) today announced the beta launch of AmazonWireless (amazonwireless.com), a new Web site offering cell phones and service plans, easy shopping without rebate hassles and FREE Two-Day Shipping on a broad selection of phones from AT&T and Verizon Wireless. In addition to expanding selection and adding carriers during the beta test phase, Amazon will be testing different features and gathering input from customers to ensure the best possible customer experience.
Amazon has a pretty huge opportunity if they can get this right. I don’t think the company has made a very big dent in this industry but they obviously see the growth potential and if they can match their sheer size with a simple system, it could spell W-I-N for mostly everyone involved – except their competitors.
Have you used Amazon to buy cell phones and service before? What was your experience?
[Via MobileRoar]
Did quick search on “unlocked”. No results haha
me too zero, lame
It certainly a good idea for what is a truly complex buying process. In fact buying phones off Amazon right now is a wild west experience : check out categories like “Nokia E71 Sim Free Mobile Phone” where you’ll find plenty of listings, but they are mainly for phones still locked to various networks. (SIM-free does not mean “I’ve taken the sim out!”). Amazon has been unable to control this despite feedback.
I ordered my huge replacement battery through Amazon, along with a mirrored screen protector and some spray paint to cuztomize my new case since the battery is twice as thick. It was super fast, easy, and I LOVE this battery. It lasts 2 days with GPS and WiFi on.
you can still buy phones (unlocked and locked) from the regular amazon store.