Amazon hooks up wireless store

(Credit: Dong Ngo/CNET)

If you want to quickly buy a phone, or just check out what AT&T and Verizon Wireless have to offer, it just got a little more convenient.

Amazon announced Thursday its beta launch of AmazonWireless, a new Web site that offers cell phones and service plans from, for now, AT&T and Verizon Wireless. The online store features Amazon-style shopping, without the rebate hassles that cell phone carriers are notorious for, and free two-day shipping on a large selection of phones.

During this beta-testing phase, Amazon plans to expand the selection of phones and services as well as add carriers. It will also be testing features and gathering input from customers.

According to Paul Ryder, Amazon's vice president of consumer electronics, AmazonWireless is designed for both existing cell phone customers who want to upgrade and those who want start a cell phone service.

AmazonWireless currently offers more than 120 phones, including a large selection of high-end smartphones, as well as the latest budget models. Customers can use their existing Amazon accounts to upgrade their phones or shop by carrier, phone feature, price, color, and brand. You'll also find other familiar Amazon features, such as bestseller lists, product descriptions, and customer reviews.

It's important to note that not every phone offered by the carriers is listed. For example, I checked for the iPhone 3GS just now and it wasn't even mentioned.

[lmanlo09]

This been in beta longer than Thursday. It's been out longer than June 21, 2009 or longer because I've seen people recommend this site even before you knew it was in beta. Very good site to get good deals on phones when you are renewing.

[ewelch]

After what Amazon did to Delicious Monster last week, there ain't no way I'm using their wireless stuff. They need to get over themselves.

[tljbcrew]

Small market. Existing customers out of contract still can't see their discounted prices. They continue to show the outagious retail which no one buys. Makes me bail and just go directly to carrier to find a phone that doesn't have a rebate. Website is overall useless.

[VS_Dude]

I just placed an order for a Samsung Eternity. Amazon recognized that I was eligible for an AT&T loyalty discount (and confirmed this very quickly during my processing - I never left the page!) and offered me the phone for a penny. Free, 2-day shipping and no activation charges.

Of some concern is the asterisk at the bottom of Amazon's penny total where it seems to allow AT&T to tack on extra charges and/or activation fees. I'm hoping that won't happen.