Amazon is working with HTC to develop a range of smartphones as the online retailer steps up efforts to compete with Apple and Google, according to people familiar with the project.
知情人士称，网络零售商亚马逊(Amazon)正与宏达电(HTC)合作开发一个智能手机产品系列，以加大与苹果(Apple)和谷歌(Google)的竞争力度。
One of the three devices discussed by the two companies is at an advanced stage of development, according to one person, but another warned that the timeline for launch has been changed before and Amazon may yet decide not to release it. Rumours that Amazon would enter the smartphone market have been circulating for up to two years. The device is unlikely to launch this year but may launch in 2014 if Amazon decides to proceed with the project.
其中一位知情人士表示，两家企业联手的三款移动设备之一已进入研发的后期阶段。不过，另一位知情人士警告说，发布的时间表此前曾有变动，亚马逊也仍有可能决定不发布该设备。有关亚马逊可能进入智能手机市场的传闻已经流传了两年之久。该移动设备不太可能于今年发布，但是如果亚马逊决定将该项目开展下去，则有可能在2014年发布该设备。
Amazon did not respond to a request for comment. In response to a recent report on its mobile ambitions, it said that it had “no plans to offer a phone this year”. HTC declined to comment on Amazon, but Ben Ho, its chief of marketing, said the company is “always exploring new opportunities”.
亚马逊未回应记者的置评请求。该公司在回应最近一则有关其在移动市场雄心的报道时曾表示，“并无今年发布手机的打算”。HTC拒绝对亚马逊置评，不过该公司首席营销官何永生(Benjamin Ho)表示，该公司“对于新的机遇始终不会放过”。
“We have been very focused on building our own brand, but we have also been very open to co-branding and collaborating with carriers and other technology brands,” said Mr Ho.
何永生表示：“我们始终对建设自身品牌极为专注，不过我们也十分愿意与电信运营商和其他技术品牌进行品牌联合以及其它合作。”
By using HTC to help design the phones, Amazon is acting much like Google, which has deals with Asus and LG to develop its Nexus line of tablets and phones.
亚马逊在HTC的帮助下设计手机，这种做法与谷歌十分相像。后者与华硕(Asus)和LG都签有协议，以开发其Nexus系列的平板电脑和手机。