AT&T to reportedly exclusively sell Amazon smartphone

SEATTLE, June 17 (UPI) -- U.S. wireless carrier AT&T is expected to exclusively sell Amazon's much expected smartphone that will be unveiled Wednesday at an event in Seattle.

The arrangement, which was reported by The Wall Street Journal, is not surprising considering that AT&T already provides wireless services to other Amazon devices, such as the Kindle tablets and e-readers.AMazon is expected to unveil a smartphone that could very well shake up the mobile device market, with its reported 3D imaging technology.

Apple had a similar arrangement with AT&T in 2007 when it was launching the iPhone, which lasted more than three years giving the carrier a crucial advantage over rival Verizon. The deal will also help AT&T increase its subscriber base, as it is in an intense battle with Verizon and could expect increased competition from the soon-to-be merged Sprint and T-mobile combined company.

Both Apple and Samsung have cornered almost the entire smartphone market in the U.S. and it will remain to be seen how Amazon finds itself space in the market.

Amazon plans to begin shipping the device in September that will come equipped with multiple sensors and cameras that will make images appear to be 3D, much like a hologram.

The online retail giant has increased its presence in the devices market, with tablets, e-readers, a set-top video streaming box and now a smartphone.