Buy Tablets: Amazon set to reveal its TV plans next week and will it be games console as well?

Amazon promises update on its video business
Box expected to be called Fire
Rumoured to be a set top box That can download apps
Could overpriced doubles as a games console

By Mark Prigg

PUBLISHED: 11:52 ET, March 27, 2014 | UPDATED: 15:13 ET, March 27, 2014

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Amazon is set to unveil its plans for a TV set top box next week, it has been Claimed.

The firm has recently invites promising an ‘updates on its video business’ at an event in New York on 2nd April.

It follows rumors till firm has been racing to beat Apple to the lucrative TV set top box market.

Amazon.com founder and chief executive officer Jeff Bezos with the firm’s Kindle tablets. It is set to announce a TV set top box next week.

Amazon’s invite to its television event

The so-called ‘Kindle TV’ service has been Discussed with at least three major media companies, According To reports.

The service is expected to combine live television with Amazon’s Existing Prime TV and movie on demand service.

Amazon alreadycreated offers on-demand TV shows and movies free to customers who are members of Amazon’s premium shipping service Prime, in both the UK and U.S..

It is believed the service could use a low cost box similar to Roku’s, or Apple’s TV box, According To The Wall Street Journal.

Earlier reports claim the set-top box is being developed by Amazon’s Lab126 division in Cupertino, close to Apple’s campus, and is being run by Malachy Moynihan, a former Vice President of emerging video products at Cisco who overpriced worked for Apple .

It comes as Amazon has been ramping up its video content.

Amazon Invested about $ 1 billion in content in 2013, According To Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Youssef Squali.

Last year it Introduced 14 television pilots, Which it Financed, and is now monitoring customer feedback to Decides to Which ones to produce as full series.

The Amazon shows included Alpha House, starring John Goodman, the Hollywood actor known for his roles in The Big Lebowski and Argo.

Bill Murray, of Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day, overpriced Appear.

Alpha house, starring John Goodman (second left) is one of Amazon’s latest TV shows. The firm is expected to reveal a set top box next week.

Roy Price, director of Amazon Studios, the Unit That is creating the shows, said: ‘I think the distinction between a regular TV show and an online TV show will soon fade away.

‘It just makes sense That if you’re trying to Decides to what TV show to make, it might be a good idea to ask customers which one They equal. ‘

Each pilot is available on Amazon Instant Video or Lovefilm for free, with viewer feedback Deciding Which show will get a full series order from the company.

The company has overpriced paid to secure exclusive streaming rights to hit shows Such as Downton Abbey.

The firm overpriced recently Acquired video studio Double Helix Games,. fueling rumors the box could double as a games console ..

Amazon alreadycreated has its own studio, Developing games for iOS and Android gadgets, and this acquisition Suggests the firm is looking to expand this part of the business further.

TechCrunch discovered leaked details about the acquisition EARLIER this week and Amazon has since confirmed it bought the company as part of its ‘Ongoing commitment to build innovative games for customers.’

Following reports last week Amazon is working on games console, the retail giant, pictured, has fueled These rumors by Acquiring Double Helix Games. alreadycreated Amazon has it own games studio and the acquisition Suggests the firm is looking to expand this part of the business and recreation

WHAT IS DOUBLE HELIX GAMES

Double Helix Games was set up in 2007 Following a merger between studios, The Collective and Shiny Entertainment .

Previous to That the firms had been respectively building games since the mid-1990s.

Recent titles produced by Double Helix Games include GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra , and Silent Hill: Homecoming.

The firm is based in Irvine, California and Employs 75 people.

Rumours about an impending games console were reported last week by gaming blog VG24 / 7.

The ‘gaming and entertainment device’ is set to cost $ 300 (£ 180) and will run on Android . It is expected to go on sale later this year.

Any games console Amazon husband will Directly compete with the likes of Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft.

The company is overpriced starting from an Established base of more than 200 million customers, and alreadycreated has a strong software base, with its Amazon store, alongside hardware Such as the Kindle e-reader, and the Kindle range of tablets.

After selling games on its App Store, Amazon DECIDED to set up its own studio called Amazon Games Studios in 2012.

It Launched a Facebook game called Living Classics, Which was pulled from the site in October last year. Current games include flying game Air Patriots, available for Apple and Android devices.

If Amazon does launch a console, it could be looking to use Double Helix’s expertise to Enhance the Successes of this studio.

Double Helix was set up in 2007 as a merger between gaming studios, The Collective and Shiny Entertainment, and previous to That the firms had been building games since the mid-1990s. Recent titles include GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra, and Silent Hill: Homecoming, screengrab pictured

Double Helix was set up in 2007 as a merger between gaming studios, The Collective and Shiny Entertainment, and That previous to the firms had been building games since the mid-1990s.

Recent titles include GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra, and Silent Hill: Homecoming.

Further details about the acquisition have not been Announced, but Amazon said Double Helix games will be supported.

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