Amazon teases 3D smartphone; set for launch on June 18

Amazon has revived speculation about its next major product, using a mysterious YouTube video and website post to tease a June 18 “launch event” in Seattle to be hosted by CEO Jeff Bezos.

The 50-second video posted by Amazon featured people staring downward at something just off-camera, moving their heads from side-to-side to try different vantage points and making comments like “It’s very real-life,” and “I don’t know how you guys do it.”

Amazon would not elaborate further. But speculation is growing that the Internet retailer is set to unveil some kind of smartphone or device in the wake of several hardware launches over the past year, including the Fire TV streaming box and new Kindle Fire tablets. Those interested in being present for the launch event, can register at the official site , which gives us a glimpse of the phone.

The company has been working on a smartphone for some time, according to two sources briefed on its plans. But it’s unclear what the Internet retailer can offer consumers beyond what Apple and Samsung already do.

The Wall Street Journal and several tech blogs report that Amazon may be working on a phone with a three-dimensional display.

Rumours indicate that the phone will have four user-facing cameras, which will track head movements to ‘animate’ the interface and give it a 3D look . As we can see in the commercial, which is rather staid all said and done, the supposed users move their heads to see the interface from different angles. It looks rather silly, but hopefully it’s not supposed to only work with exaggerated movements.

The last time Bezos hosted a major press briefing in Seattle, the company introduced new versions of its Kindle Fire tablets that, among other things, featured video tech-support.

With input from Reuters