7 Things the Amazon Phone Must Have

Rumors about a smartphone from Amazon have been making the rounds since 2011, but it seems that we might finally see the elusive handset today in Seattle.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is hosting a "launch event," which - based on an accompanying teaser video - will include a phone with amazing and magical powers. Or maybe it's just 3D. You'll have to wait until 1:30 p.m. ET to find out.

A lot has happened in the smartphone space in the time that Amazon was rumored to be working on its own device. From Siri and OK Google to fingerprint sensors and impressive cameras, Amazon needs to pack a lot into its device to really wow us.

We polled the PCMag staff to see what would make them consider the Amazon phone over their existing smartphone. Based on their responses, Amazon has hopefully been thinking a lot about service plans and cloud-based offerings because if you offer it, they will come.

Check out our Amazon Phone wish list in the slideshow, and let us know what you're hoping to see in the comments below. And tune in to PCMag.com starting at 1 p.m. ET for a live blog of all the action from Seattle.

Amazon Prime

The most obvious feature Amazon could add to its phone is Prime. Free Prime for two years - including the two-day shipping, Instant Prime, and Prime Music - would be nice. But you know what would be better? A lifetime of free Prime for early adopters.

Service Plan Goodness

Subsidized service plans should be included in Amazon Prime, PCMag's lead mobile analyst, Sascha Segan, said. At the very least, all data transferred from Amazon doesn't apply to your data cap; at best, service plans are cheaper than the competition because Amazon is kicking money in, he said. Or, Amazon could create its own MVNO which works on AT&T's or T-Mobile's networks at any given time, whichever is faster. Meanwhile, Amazon should offer incentives to switch, like paying for your early termination fee or the balance on your current smartphone.

Amazon Mayday

Amazon's live customer service feature, Mayday, is only available on the Kindle Fire HDX. Bringing it to the Amazon Phone is a no-brainer. A live person can surely beat Siri, Cortana, and Google Now, right? According to Amazon, Mayday operators are already skilled at answering weird questions.

Carrier-Free OS Updates

One aggravation for Android users is that OS updates are controlled by carriers, so your friend might get KitKat before you simply because you're on different carriers. Though rumor has it that the Amazon Phone will be an AT&T exclusive at launch, it will surely be available on other carriers eventually. To avoid confusion and impatient users, Amazon should control those software updates rather than its carrier partners.

Rugged

Delicate phones might be pretty to look at, but they're not very practical. PCMag's Will Greenwald wants a rugged Amazon Phone, particularly one that's waterproof.

E Ink Option

Amazon already works with E Ink on its Kindle e-readers, so why not bring it to the smartphone, too, like the dual-sided YotaPhone (above)? Watch video, read emails, and play around with apps on a crisp screen and then flip the device over to read without eye strain - or in the sunlight.

No 3D

This last request, meanwhile, is more about what we don't want. Or, what Sascha doesn't want. And that's 3D. "I don't see the point or place for this 3D thing," he wrote in a recent column. "Maybe I've been jaded by the many failures of pointless 3D gimmickry," he said, pointing to the LG Thrill 4G (above).

About Our Expert

Chloe Albanesius

Executive Editor, News

My Experience

I started out covering tech policy in DC for The National Journal, where my beat included state-level tech news and all the congressional hearings and FCC meetings I could handle. I later covered Wall Street trading tech before switching gears to consumer tech. I now lead PCMag's news coverage.

My Areas of Expertise

Getting my start in DC means I still have a soft spot for tech policy; Congressional hearings can sometimes be as entertaining as a Bravo reality show, for better or worse. But PCMag is all about the technology we use every day, as well as keeping an eye out for the trends that will shape the industry in the years ahead (or flop on arrival). I've covered the rise of social media, the iOS vs. Android wars, the cord-cutting revolution that's now left us with hefty streaming bills, and the effort to stuff artificial intelligence into every product you could imagine. This job has taken me to CES in Vegas (one too many times), IFA in Berlin, and MWC in Barcelona. I also drove a Tesla 1,000 miles out west as part of our Best Mobile Networks project. Of late, my focus is on our hard-working team of reporters at PCMag, guiding and editing their robust coverage.

Read the latest from Chloe Albanesius

Read full bio