Amazon gains over former Microsoft Windows Phone execJuly 12, 2012 - 13:36 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A former Microsoft Windows Phone exec has jumped ship to Amazon, where he will head the retailer’s Appstore efforts, lending further weight to rumors that the company plans a smartphone of its own, SlashGear reports. Robert Williams was, until last month, Microsoft’s senior director of business development in the Windows Phone division, but according to his LinkedIn profile is now working with Amazon to feather the app nest for what’s speculated to be the company’s push into mobile. Rumors of a Kindle smartphone have persisted for some months now, with Amazon’s Appstore software distribution being seen as a footstep toward a full device under its own brand. That, it’s speculated, would follow a similar near-loss-leader strategy as the Kindle ereaders, with cheap hardware being balanced against the promise of long-term content purchases from Amazon’s ebook, music, movie and other stores. Williams worked as business development lead for four years with Microsoft, and before that was senior director of the company’s “Premium Mobile Experiences” group. His exact role at Amazon is unclear, though the retailer has been bullish on its intention to push apps as another string to its digital content bow. That could come into play for an Amazon phone, or indeed new Kindle Fire tablets. As well as a refresh for the current, 7-inch model, there’s also talk of a larger 10-inch Kindle Fire in the pipeline, both running Google’s Android OS albeit with heavy reskinning. On July 11, Amazon launched GameCircle, the company’s cross-device synchronization and leaderboard system for mobile gamers. That puts the company head to head with Apple’s Game Center. Top stories Yerevan will host the 2024 edition of the World Congress On Information Technology (WCIT). Rustam Badasyan said due to the lack of such regulation, the state budget is deprived of VAT revenues. Krisp’s smart noise suppression tech silences ambient sounds and isolates your voice for calls. Gurgen Khachatryan claimed that the "illegalities have been taking place in 2020." Partner news Most popular in the section | Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. |