As reported by GigaOM, Amazon – the online retail giant from Seattle – has acquired UpNext – a 3D mapping startup. The price of the acquisition remains undisclosed.

UpNext features maps of 50 cities in the US (23 cities with enhanced details –textured 3D). What differs UpNext from Google Maps, for example, is that UpNext’s maps are all vector-based (all buildings are created as vector graphics), while Google Maps is all picture-based. This creates a lot more options regarding possible applications of such maps.

Why Amazon?

Currently, Amazon is realizing that they have become a really big player, not only in the online retail market, but also in the technology market in general. The one that controls the distribution, can pretty much distribute anything…

The only question remaining is what Amazon needs UpNext for.

UpNext has apps for iOS, Android and Kindle Fire. However, Kindle Fire doesn’t have any GPS capabilities, so the true power of UpNext isn’t even utilized.

This means that Amazon is probably getting ready to create a new version of Kindle Fire that would support GPS and integrate UpNext as one of the main functionalities. Such a move would finally make Kindle Fire a unique product, and separate it from all the other tablets. Another possibility is that Amazon may be working on a completely different product that hasn’t been announced yet.

Right now, Amazon is moving the UpNext team to Seattle, so they are surely serious about this acquisition.

What Does This Mean for Affiliates?

The main takeaway for us is that there’s a new product coming from Amazon, which will obviously be available through their affiliate program. Promoting Amazon is a lot easier than promoting other less-known brands.

People naturally trust Amazon and they don’t worry about the possibility of being scammed or anything. For affiliates, jumping on an Amazon’s launch is usually quite profitable despite the low commission rates. Now we just have to wait patiently and see what Amazon has in store for us.

Tags: Amazon, UpNext