Amazon CEO: “Stay tuned” for tablet announcement

The much-rumoured Amazon tablet has inched one step closer to reality today, as the company’s CEO has advised to “stay tuned” for further news.

In an interview with Consumer Reports, the retail giant’s CEO, Jeff Bezos, gave the biggest hint yet that an iPad-rival was in the works. When asked about the possibility of Amazon doing a tablet, he informed eager punters to, “stay tuned.”

However, he remained coy when asked as to what Amazon’s plans were, saying that any such device would not replace its best-selling Kindle. He said: “We will always be very mindful that we will want a dedicated reading device. In terms of any other product introductions, I shouldn’t answer.”

Back in April, tech bloggers GDGT revealed that Amazon is prepping a Samsung-made tablet, which’ll be making its debut in “at the end of summer”. It’s also likely to arrive running Android 3.1 (Honeycomb OS), although some sources are claiming that the online retailer will opt for its own unique running system, which will tightly integrate its services such as one-touch buying and Amazon Prime.

Other rumoured specs include an LCD display, both front and rear-facing cameras and access to Amazon’s home-grown App Store.

The unnamed Amazon tablet, currently referred to as the “Amazon Colour”,  is expected to launch around July/September 2011 with an estimated $300 (£180) price-tag.

[Source: CNET]