Rumors of an Android-based Amazon smartphone have begun picking up steam as Bloomberg is reporting new details for the handset.  According to their sources, Amazon has contracted Foxconn International to design the smartphone which could be released as soon as later this year.

In the meanwhile, Amazon is said to be going around securing patents in the event that companies like Apple decide to play dirty. As many of you know, the smartphone space is full of litigation and a player as big as Amazon is sure to attract some serious attention. It remains unclear as to which carrier would provide the service for an Amazon smartphone however FierceWireless surmises it could come from Sprint, AT&T, or Clearwire.

How much interest do you have in an Amazon smartphone?  Assuming it has the same app ecosystem as the Kindle Fire, would it be something you’d even consider? Does the carrier have any bearing in the matter?

Bloomberg