Rumors that Amazon is looking to release a special data plan with its smartphone called Amazon Prime Data have surfaced.
Details about the plan are unclear, but the idea is that it would include free streaming of Amazon's music, movies and TV shows for users, TechCrunch reported.
This news follows an announcement from multiple sources stating that the phone would include 3D effects and gesture-based features.
The device is rumored to be released in stores sometime this summer, GeekWire reported.
Sources from BGR say that the data plan could be exclusive to AT&T and may also be similar to AT&T's "Sponsored Data" plan, which lets customers use certain apps and services while not affecting their monthly data cap. The companies behind the apps and services cover the cost of data usage.
The report said that Amazon's smartphone would most likely not be included in the same Sponsored Data plan because of "API limitations and cobranding requirements in apps that use Sponsored Data." Despite the limitations, the two companies may be able to negotiate a suitable arrangement, TechCrunch reported.
BGR said it is unsure of real details of plan and that Prime Data might include a few free months of data coverage instead, or possibly steeper discounts than other smartphone data plans.
If the plan for free streaming of Amazon's content does come to fruition, it would fit in line with the company's current strategies, Digital Trends reported.
Amazon includes different apps and products in its Prime membership plan, and has often cut prices on software, hardware and services to bring in more customers.
The company has been offering free 3G data network access on its Kindle reader hardware since the first generation e-ink Kindle was launched in 2007, TechCrunch reported. Users received 250 MB of data per month from Amazon's $50 subsidized annual AT&T LTE plan for the Kindle Fire HD, which was introduced in 2012.
Despite the lack of details of the data plan, Amazon may use Prime Data to attract more customers with low prices.
