Amazon's Smartphone Event

Join CNET for coverage from Amazon's event, starting at 10:30 a.m. PT on Wednesday, where the online retailer is widely expected to unveil its first smartphone. Our live blog will kick off about an hour beforehand and will bring you news updates, photos, and commentary.

3rd & 7 37yd

Jessica Dolcourt 6/18/2014 4:53:23 PM
Team CNET (kindly taken by Engadget's Brad Molen, who insisted on photo credit.)
Roger Cheng 6/18/2014 4:59:53 PM
The CNET crew woke up early to make sure you all had a front-row seat to the coverage (via live blog).
James Martin 6/18/2014 5:00:46 PM
James Martin 6/18/2014 5:01:15 PM
James Martin 6/18/2014 5:01:45 PM
James Martin 6/18/2014 5:08:08 PM
Jessica Dolcourt 6/18/2014 5:08:21 PM
Broadcasters just got in. And we're next.
Roger Cheng 6/18/2014 5:08:24 PM
Ok, I was told the doors were opening, but we're still outside. And it's surprisingly cold.
James Martin 6/18/2014 5:09:01 PM
James Martin 6/18/2014 5:11:52 PM
Kara, Juan, and Marta
James Martin 6/18/2014 5:12:42 PM
James Martin 6/18/2014 5:16:17 PM
James Martin 6/18/2014 5:16:50 PM
James Martin 6/18/2014 5:17:39 PM
Roger Cheng 6/18/2014 5:18:20 PM
Hey all! We're finally inside and seated.
James Martin 6/18/2014 5:18:24 PM
Roger Cheng 6/18/2014 5:18:59 PM
The venue is small and intimate, which is surprising considering the customers Amazon invited to this event.
Roger Cheng 6/18/2014 5:19:39 PM
It's a dark venue -- so dark that it was a bit disorienting when we first walked in (I bumped into Jessica by accident).
Jessica Dolcourt 6/18/2014 5:20:01 PM
Roger has sharp elbows :(
Roger Cheng 6/18/2014 5:20:08 PM
In front of us is a large stage with an Amazon-branded podium. Behind it, a large blue screen with the Amazon logo in the center.
Jessica Dolcourt 6/18/2014 5:20:26 PM
Yeah, this is hardly the public spectacle we were led to believe.
Roger Cheng 6/18/2014 5:21:00 PM
The right and back side of the wall are covered with a screen with blue and pink accent lights, with little stars flying about.
Roger Cheng 6/18/2014 5:23:38 PM
There are about 300 people (sorry, I'm bad at estimating) in attendance. The doors only opened a few minutes ago, but the room is packed.
Dave 6/18/2014 5:24:31 PM
Yeah... AT&T's network is the only one that can support DATA and Voice... So... if you want a phone and a data device... then AT&T's network is the only choice.
Carrie Mihalcik 6/18/2014 5:25:14 PM
Carrie Mihalcik 6/18/2014 5:35:10 PM
John Falcone 6/18/2014 7:00:38 PM
According to the Amazon product page, availability is July 25
Roger Cheng 6/18/2014 7:00:39 PM
We're super happy to have AT&T as our exclusive partner, he says.
Jessica Dolcourt 6/18/2014 7:00:44 PM
Bezos calls the Fire Phone a beautiful device with "obsessive" fit an finish, but from my seat, it doesn't *look* amazing and wouldn't pop off a shelf with the screen off. Maybe they were going for the understated elegance look, or maybe I just have to see it up close (momentarily, I hope!)
James Martin 6/18/2014 7:00:46 PM
Roger Cheng 6/18/2014 7:00:54 PM
Fire is $199 with a two-year contract, or $27 a month with the AT&T Next program.
Roger Cheng 6/18/2014 7:01:00 PM
You get 32GB with that phone.
James Martin 6/18/2014 7:01:04 PM
Roger Cheng 6/18/2014 7:01:13 PM
The phone ships July 25.
James Martin 6/18/2014 7:01:19 PM
Roger Cheng 6/18/2014 7:01:19 PM
One more touch.
Roger Cheng 6/18/2014 7:01:32 PM
The phone comes with 12 months of Amazon Prime included.
James Martin 6/18/2014 7:01:34 PM
Jessica Dolcourt 6/18/2014 7:01:45 PM
Someone actually shrieked when Bezos said that you have 12 months of Prime for free.
Roger Cheng 6/18/2014 7:01:47 PM
If you're new to Prime, you get 12 months. If you're an existing customer, you get 12 more months for free.
James Martin 6/18/2014 7:01:50 PM
James Martin 6/18/2014 7:02:05 PM
Jessica Dolcourt 6/18/2014 7:02:08 PM
My brother wisely calls this the free puppy effect.
James Martin 6/18/2014 7:02:25 PM
Jessica Dolcourt 6/18/2014 7:02:26 PM
We'll give you the puppy for free, but you're in for all the costs after that...