Amazon is reportedly developing a new smartphone more than a decade after scrapping its Fire Phone, with plans for an AI-driven device integrated with Alexa and its broader services ecosystem.

The tech giant’s new effort is called “Transformer” and is being developed within the company’s devices and services unit, according to Reuters, citing four people familiar with the project.

The outlet said the new phone could be a mobile personalization device able to sync with the voice assistant platform Alexa.

Details about the anticipated price of the phone, along with Amazon’s financial commitment to the project and revenue projections, were not immediately clear.

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The Amazon logo is displayed on the façade of Amazon Germany’s headquarters in Parkstadt Schwabing, Munich, Bavaria, Jan. 27, 2026. (Matthias Balk/picture alliance via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Sources told Reuters the project’s timeline is also unclear, noting it could still be scrapped.

An Amazon spokesperson declined to comment to Reuters. Fox Business has reached out to Amazon for comment.

Amazon introduced the Fire Phone in 2014, packaging the product with a free year of Amazon Prime.

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Amazon is reportedly developing a new AI-driven smartphone integrated with Alexa, marking a potential return to the highly competitive mobile market. (fizkes/iStock/Getty Images Plus / Getty Images)

While the smartphone was launched with a lot of hype, it received mixed reviews with complaints ranging from a lackluster operating system to its high price, which was initially $649.

The company canceled the smartphone after just 14 months, taking a $170 million charge for unsold inventory, Reuters reported.

Apple and Samsung together commanded about 40% of global smartphone sales last year, according to Counterpoint Research, a market Amazon would now be reentering with its reported new device.

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The logo of Amazon’s Alexa+ is displayed on a screen during an Amazon Devices launch event in New York City Feb. 26, 2025. (Reuters/Brendan McDermid / Reuters)

According to Reuters, the new smartphone would include personalization features that would allow users to easily access Amazon.com, Prime Video and food delivery apps like Grubhub.

The project is focused on integrating artificial intelligence into the device, which could eliminate the need for traditional app stores, the outlet added.

Reuters contributed to this report.

By Jennifer Nash

Zillow, the real estate listing and brokerage website, provides a wealth of publicly available real estate data. Among these, the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) offers a seasonally adjusted measure of home values

Xiaomi has officially revealed the Xiaomi YU7 GT, a high-performance electric SUV designed to compete with rivals like the SU7 Ultra.

This sleek “coupe-SUV” combines sporty styling with family-friendly practicality, while subtle upgrades, like flush door handles and a roof-integrated LiDAR sensor, signal advanced autonomous driving capabilities.

Massive Battery and Long Range

According to the information shared by the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the YU7 GT is powered by a 101.7 kWh battery pack weighing 666 kg. Xiaomi claims a cruising range of up to 650 km under CLTC testing standards. With some configurations potentially reaching 705 km, we could see more of this under more rigorous testing.

While real-world range may be slightly lower, this positions the SUV among the leaders for long-distance EV performance. Tesla was the brand previously known for remote EV driving, but now, Chinese brands like Xiaomi take the cake, and they are cheaper than their Western counterparts.

Spacious, Comfortable Interior

Measuring 5015 mm long, 2007 mm wide, and 1597 mm high, the YU7 GT offers a 3000 mm wheelbase, ensuring ample legroom for passengers. Xiaomi has balanced sporty aesthetics with practicality. Its interior prioritizes comfort, usability, and modern design for next-gen vehicles.

Supercar-Level Performance

According to Arena EV, its dual electric motors deliver an all-wheel-drive system, with the front motor producing 288 kW and the rear generating 450 kW, totaling an astounding 738 kW (approximately 990 horsepower).

This power enables a top speed of 300 km/h, rivaling Italian supercars, while maintaining a family-oriented SUV design. Large sport wheels, red brake calipers, and oversized discs ensure precise handling and stopping power for the 2460 kg vehicle.

Personalization and Modern Styling

Xiaomi offers buyers a variety of customization options, including trim pieces, side mirrors, rear spoilers, decals, and brake caliper colors. The rear design features a sleek full-width taillight and diffuser-style bumper, sticking to the SUV’s aggressive yet refined appearance.

Originally published on Tech Times

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 203.72 points, or 0.44%, to close at 46,021.43 on Thursday, March 19, 2026, extending a string of declines as persistent inflation fears and a surge in oil prices weighed on investor sentiment. The benchmark index pared steeper intraday losses, having dropped nearly 500 points at one stage, reflecting volatility driven by economic data and energy market dynamics.

The broader market finished mixed to lower. The S&P 500 declined 0.27% to 6,606.49, while the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.28% to 22,090.69. Eight of the 11 S&P 500 sectors closed in the red, with materials, consumer discretionary and consumer staples posting the steepest losses. The Dow’s performance marked the second consecutive day of declines, contributing to a month-to-date drop exceeding 5% in some sessions earlier in March — on pace for its weakest monthly showing since 2022.

Thursday’s session followed a sharp sell-off the prior day, when the Dow plunged 768.11 points, or 1.63%, to 46,225.15 on March 18 — its lowest close of 2026 at that point — after hotter-than-expected producer price index data and Federal Reserve comments reinforced worries about sticky inflation. The index briefly breached below its 200-day moving average, a technical level watched closely by traders.

Key drivers on March 19 included renewed pressure from crude oil prices, which spiked amid supply concerns and geopolitical tensions in energy-producing regions. Higher energy costs fed into inflation expectations, prompting caution among investors. Boeing led decliners among Dow components with a 2.28% drop, followed by McDonald’s (-1.95%) and 3M (-1.63%). On the upside, Chevron gained 1.39%, Cisco Systems rose 1.15% and Goldman Sachs added 0.58%.

Futures trading early Friday, March 20, showed limited movement. Dow futures hovered near flat to slightly positive in pre-market hours, trading around 46,051 as of early Asian sessions, suggesting a subdued open. Traders awaited further economic indicators, including any follow-through from recent Fed signals on interest rates. The central bank held steady in its latest meeting but highlighted ongoing vigilance on inflation, contributing to market jitters.

The Dow’s recent volatility contrasts with earlier March strength. On March 17, the index closed at 46,993.26 after modest gains, and March 16 saw it end at 46,946.41. However, broader month-to-date performance turned negative, with the index down roughly 2-5% depending on the tracking period amid choppy trading. Year-to-date, the Dow remains positive overall but has shed ground from peaks above 50,000 earlier in the year.

Analysts attribute the pullback to a combination of factors: elevated inflation readings pressuring rate-cut expectations, energy-driven cost pressures and lingering uncertainty over global supply chains. Oil’s surge above recent levels amplified concerns that consumer spending could soften if gasoline and heating costs rise further.

Despite the downturn, some sectors showed resilience. Energy names benefited from higher crude, while certain tech and financial components held up better than expected. Volume on the New York Stock Exchange reached approximately 484 million shares for the Dow-tracking session, indicating solid participation.

Looking ahead, market participants eye upcoming data releases, including consumer sentiment surveys and any corporate earnings previews that could influence sentiment. The index’s proximity to key support levels — including the recent lows around 45,700-46,000 — will be watched closely for signs of stabilization or further downside.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average, comprising 30 blue-chip stocks, serves as a barometer for U.S. economic health and investor confidence. Thursday’s close at 46,021.43 reflects ongoing adjustments to a higher-for-longer interest rate environment and external pressures from commodities.

As trading resumes Friday, March 20, focus remains on whether the index can rebound from recent lows or extend the correction amid broader macro uncertainties. Investors continue monitoring Fed rhetoric, energy markets and inflation trends for directional cues in the near term.

Conference Call Participants

Paul Matteis – Stifel Nicolaus Canada Inc., Research Division

Presentation

CANBERRA, Australia — The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) continues to roll out detailed guidance and compliance reminders in March 2026, focusing on international tax reforms, upcoming superannuation changes and key lodgment deadlines for businesses and individuals. As the 2025-26 financial year progresses, the agency emphasizes preparation for major shifts like Payday Super starting July 1, 2026, while warning against scams and urging timely compliance to avoid penalties.

On March 12, 2026, the ATO updated its advice on how the Pillar Two global and domestic minimum tax rules apply and interact with Australia’s corporate tax system. The revisions clarify application timelines, calculations and reporting for multinational enterprises subject to the 15% global minimum tax under OECD Pillar Two. The updates, detailed on the ATO website, address transitional provisions and interactions with existing rules, helping large corporates prepare for implementation. KPMG highlighted the changes as critical for affected groups to align reporting and avoid unexpected liabilities.

The ATO’s legal database saw several new draft legislative instruments and practice statements in March. On March 18, draft rulings LCR 2026/D1 through D4 outlined aspects of Payday Super, including qualifying earnings, eligible contributions, super guarantee charge calculations and transitional rules. These drafts support the “once-in-a-generation” reform requiring super contributions closer to payday rather than quarterly, effective from July 1, 2026. The ATO finalized its first-year compliance approach in PCG 2026/1, signaling a practical, education-focused stance initially.

Practice statements PS LA 2026/D1 and D2, released March 12, address penalties for non-compliance with superannuation member account reporting and Single Touch Payroll obligations. These aim to guide administrators on penalty administration, promoting fairness while enforcing accuracy.

The end of the fringe benefits tax (FBT) year on March 31, 2026, looms as a key date. Employers who provided fringe benefits from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, must prepare FBT returns, due May 21 for paper lodgers or June 25 for those using agents. The ATO has warned of common errors in work vehicle FBT reporting that could trigger scrutiny, part of its FY26 small business focus areas.

Lodgment deadlines remain a priority. Under the registered agent program, March 21 requires lodging and paying February monthly business activity statements (BAS). By March 31, certain companies and super funds with income over $2 million (excluding large/medium taxpayers) must lodge returns and pay liabilities. Consolidated group heads face similar obligations if members exceed thresholds. Individuals and trusts with prior liabilities of $20,000+ also have deadlines in this period.

The ATO stresses vigilance against scams. In February 2026, it alerted the public to cryptocurrency email frauds impersonating the ATO or myGov, demanding immediate asset declarations or threatening action. Scammers use fake letterheads and attachments containing malware. The agency reiterated it never demands crypto details via unsolicited email, threatens arrest electronically or requests payments through unknown channels. Reports of similar impersonations involving myGov, Australian Post or ACCC persist into March.

Small businesses received encouragement to reset habits early in 2026. Assistant Commissioner Angela Allen urged accurate record-keeping, timely super payments and transparency to avoid compliance actions. The ATO’s focus includes contractor income reporting, especially in construction, using enhanced data matching.

Looking ahead, the ATO prepares for broader changes. Public country-by-country reporting deadlines approach for some entities, with reports due by June 30, 2026, for periods ending June 30, 2025. Revised PAYG withholding tables take effect July 1, 2026. The transfer balance cap for superannuation rises to $2.1 million from 2026-27.

The agency provides resources like checklists for Payday Super preparation and warnings on avoidable FBT errors. Businesses closing in 2026 must cancel ABNs, lodge final returns and settle obligations to avoid issues.

As deadlines mount, the ATO promotes proactive engagement. Taxpayers can access myGov or the ATO app for updates, while professionals monitor the legal database for rulings. With compliance activity increasing via data analytics, accurate and timely actions remain essential to minimize risks.

The ATO’s March activities underscore its dual role: enforcing rules while supporting adaptation to reforms like Pillar Two and Payday Super. Australians navigating the system are advised to consult official sources and registered agents for personalized guidance.