Amazon is holding a press conference in California later today, where it’s expected the online retailer will reveal at least one new Kindle Fire tablet, along with updated Kindle eReader models.

However, TheVerge.com has heard that it will also show its first smartphone at the event too. It may sound far-fetched – but then, so did an Amazon tablet – however, Amazon has been rumoured to be working on an Android phone for a while, but few expected it to come so soon.

The report suggests that we may not see the production-ready version anyway, but if Amazon is to announce it, then we’d be surprised if it was that far off being ready for sale.

Like the Kindle Fire tablet, it will use a modified version of Google Android, and also introduce Nokia Maps for navigation. Don’t expect it to be incredibly high-spec though, but to follow in the Fire’s footsteps – a solid feature list at a bargain price. As interesting as it sounds, Amazon has a habit of not making its new hardware available in the UK at first, so don’t get too excited just yet.

Returning to the subject of the event and what secrets it could hold, an Amazon TV advert played in the US last night, and could have given us our first look at the new “Paperwhite” Kindle eReader and the Kindle Fire 2.

The ad isn’t brazen about it though, and in all honesty, the tablet on display could be the original Kindle Fire for all the detail it provides. But it’s still a fun glimpse at the shape of things to come.

Amazon’s California event begins at 10:30am local time, or 5:30pm today here in the UK. Check back for full coverage.