Will Amazon’s new smartphone change the way users interact with flat screen devices?

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos recently unveiled the Fire Phone, Amazon’s first foray into the smartphone market. There has been plenty of buzz surrounding the phone’s release and the promise that it will fundamentally change the way users interact with their mobile devices. Enter Dynamic Perspective.

Dynamic Perspective is NOT 3D

In 2011 the LG Optimus 3D and HTC EVO 3D smartphones came on to the scene. Both phones were met with mixed reviews, and neither changed the landscape of mobile user interfaces. (That being said, the marketplace for 3D UI is very much alive. Apple was recently granted 62 patents related to 3D desktop technology.)

During his announcement, Bezos made it clear that the Fire Phone’s immersive Dynamic Perspective technology was not meant to be confused with 3D.

What is Dynamic Perspective?

It’s true that Amazon’s new phone offers an experience that creates a sense of deep depth in a flat screen device, but it is not truly 3D. In some ways, it is in fact more immersive than 3D. Dynamic Perspective uses facial recognition technology along with four cameras to track users’ head movements; shifting the perspective and creating the illusion of varying depths. Indisputably cool; but how does it benefit users?

Dynamic Perspective in Action

The Fire Phone is hot off the presses, and only time will tell to what extent developers will be able to incorporate Dynamic Perspective into their apps. The possibilities are exciting, but Dynamic Perspective will need to keep up its momentum in order to stay relevant to developers and users. If interest fizzles, the extent of capabilities could go unrealized.

For now, the practicality of the Fire’s UI is up for debate. How does the addition of depth perception to the UI enhance user experience? It offers alternate means of navigation, immersive maps, and amazing gaming potential, but is that enough to provoke change? When used in tandem with the accelerometer, users will be able to initiate more commands without tapping and typing. For example, zooming in on the screen simply by moving it closer to your face, or scrolling a web page with a tilt. Intriguing, but will the shine wear off?

Gimmick or Game Changer?

Will Dynamic Perspective pave the way for a new, more immersive brand of user experience? Our love affair with our smartphones, tablets and other flat screen devices has only grown stronger over the years. People are accustomed to predominantly ‘flat’ GUI. Has Dynamic Perspective got what it takes to hold our attention, and beyond that, to change the fundamental way we interact with products so personal and comfortable to us?

The Fire Phone will become available to the public July 25th.

What do you think?  Leave your comments below.