Amazon to launch secret product this month: report
23 Jul 2016
Amazon is gearing up to launch a secret product later this month. An email sent to Amazon Flex delivery drivers, which GeekWire says it has obtained, reveals that the tech giant was gearing up for a ''secret new product launch'' on 31 July from midnight until 2 am.
''At 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, July 31st, Amazon customers will be able to get their hands on a brand new product,'' the email reads. ''We are not able to share with you what this product is until the launch time, but you could be one of the first in the world to see it by delivering during a block created just for this release!''
According to commentators, it was a peculiar time for a product launch. Amazon Flex drivers typically worked until 12:30 am at the latest. The Amazon Flex programme, first reported by GeekWire in August, is an Uber-style delivery network that allows private drivers who use their own vehicles to deliver packages. The programme started in Seattle last fall and was now live in nearly 30 cities.
As to what exactly the ''secret'' product was, according to some drivers, it could be Pokemon Go Plus, the highly-anticipated wearable device that allowed Pokemon Go gamers play the popular game without taking out their smartphone. Others said it could be related to Harry Potter, or potentially the Samsung Note 7, which would be officially unveiled next month.
Meanwhile, Amazon has lined up Amazon Flex in the UK. The whole idea was to create a service where customers could receive their parcels within 30-minutes- a revolution for all the last-minute buyers out there- and they would be delivered by people in their local communties.
The recruitment advertisement on Craigslist reads: "Earn £13-£15 per hour including tips delivering packages with Amazon. All you need is a vehicle, an Android phone, and some free time."
The job offers people the opportunity to 'be your own boss' stating: 'Deliver when you want and make some extra cash.' Amazon said "Britain has a hugely entrepreneurial spirit, and we think there will be lots of people interested in earning extra money by delivering Amazon parcels in their spare time."
