Amazon already has its own ereader device for the ebooks it sells and now the online retail giant may be working on its own set-top box for its streaming service.
The Wall Street Journal, citing sources that have been briefed on Amazon’s holiday plans, reported today that Amazon is working on its own streaming device. Its release will be timed for the holiday buying season. This news follows reports back in April that Amazon was working on such a device.
A streaming box will put amazon in yet another market with established competition. Among the leaders of the streaming device market is Roku and Apple’s Apple TV. These devices carry streaming services like Hulu and Netflix, which have begun to create their own content, driving demand for such products.
But Amazon is also competing with Hulu and Netflix. Today, Amazon ordered three more pilots that will go up on its own streaming service, Prime Instant Video. The service comes with a Prime membership. As ZDNet notes, Amazon’s main problem though is that Prime Instant Video hasn’t distinguished itself enough from Netflix.
The product currently has the code-name of “Cinnamon.” The WSJ also reported that amazon may offer a separate remote device and there could also be smartphone apps to use as a remote. Amazon’s Jeff Bezos did show off the new Kindle Fire last month, which did allow it to work like a remote.
image: Amazon.com