Amazon's first smartphone, the Fire Phone, is set to ship this week, and so far the reviews have been pretty mixed. There are three features that reviewers across the board have really been impressed with.
"First up is Firefly, an app that lets you identify whatever's in front of you or whatever you're listening to such as a song or a video." (Via Consumer Reports)
A Consumer Reports Web article noted this feature usually worked well but can be buggy. Next, TechCrunch takes a look at one of the phone's more "fun" features.
"One of the features they touted was dynamic perspective. ... It tracks your face and then dynamically redraws your face at a different perspective based on how you're looking at it." (Via TechCrunch)
An ArsTechinca writer noted this feature does make the phone stand out but doesn't have much of a practical use, saying Amazon needs to find "better ways to use it."
And you may recognize this next feature, which was heavily promoted by Amazon in their Kindle release.
"Thanks for pressing Mayday. How can I help?" (Via Kindle)
"Amazon has also brought over the Mayday feature. ... This is a live, 24/7 tech-support feature." (Via USA Today)
Engadget called Mayday one of Amazon's "most brilliant features."
So fairly positive reviews for the bells and whistles of the new phone, but the actual look of the gadget has garnered some disagreement.
"It's a black rectangle, a slab of glass and beveled plastic. It's heavy, but not really. Big, but not really. It's just a phone." (Via The Verge)
"The design is gorgeous with a front and back made of glass, thin curved edges and a thin home button." (Via Mashable)
And then, of course, there are some things reviewers just don't approve of at all.
Business Insider writes, "The Fire Phone falls short on the core properties that really matter beyond the gimmicks — namely, battery life, design, and app selection."
Sounds like you'll just have to see for yourself. The Fire phone is only available on the AT&T network and goes for $199 with a two-year contract.
