Channel Beat: Amazon Sets 'Fire' To Smartphone Market

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Topping this week’s news, Amazon debuted its first-ever smartphone, called the Fire. The Fire includes new 3-D dynamic perspective technology, four front-facing cameras, and new Firefly technology. The phone is exclusive to AT&T, and available for pre-order now via Amazon and AT&T’s websites, as well as AT&T retail stores. The phone will ship July 25.

Avaya made some big changes to its channel program this week, including the appointment of former VMware executive Joe Lohmeier as its new U.S. channel chief. Lohmeier replaces Karl Soderlund, who left Avaya in March for Aruba Networks. At VMware, he served as vice president of Americas sales, and also spent 12 years at Cisco.

BlackBerry beat Wall Street expectations this week, bumping shares up almost 12 percent Thursday morning. BlackBerry CEO John Chen told analysts the company is coming close to making a profit on hardware.

PUBLISHED JUNE 20, 2014