An Amazon-branded TV could be launched in October. This could be another step in Amazon's move to become more deeply involved in the world of television, from programming to hardware design.
This was reported by Insider, citing inside information, that TVs with built-in Fire TV software may become available exclusively through Amazon in October.
However, it is unlikely that Amazon will actually make these rumored TVs, which are said to have screen sizes ranging from 55" to 75". Rather, Amazon is said to be working with other TV manufacturers like TCL. Amazon has done this before with AmazonBasics TVs, but these have only been sold in India.
With this reported move, Amazon will be selling its own designed TVs in the US for the first time. What is not clear is whether Amazon aims to offer lower-priced televisions or to produce higher-priced devices for U.S. consumers. Currently, Amazon's TV efforts in the U.S. are centered on its partnership with Best Buy, which manufactures low-priced Toshiba and Insignia TVs with Fire TV software, but these are not branded by Amazon.
Given that the Amazon Fire Stick and other Fire TV devices are not expensive, one wonders if there is a need for a full Amazon TV, especially since most smart TVs support services like Amazon Prime Video You might think. However, having a TV with Alexa and Fire TV software in one package could be very attractive to U.S. consumers. Not everyone wants to spend big on one of our best OLED TVs of choice.
Amazon's enormous technological and business power may also allow it to enter into clever manufacturing agreements to produce surprisingly good TVs at reasonable prices. For example, Amazon could offer mini LED sets that compete with Samsung, TCL, and Hisense for less than $900 or $800.
It remains to be seen if this information comes to fruition, as Amazon's hardware and TV ambitions are often kept tightly under wraps. But come fall, a surprising new TV could be on the horizon.
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