Amazon stunned a lot of people by announcing its plans to release a software development kit for Kindle. Many of us have been asking and begging Amazon to allow developers to enhance its platform via third-party apps. That is going to be possible with Kindle Development Kit. We already know that a Zagat application is in the works, but what stunned many was the announcement that EA Mobile was planning to introduce games for Kindle. Yes. The current crop of Kindles that come with a lousy, 1990-like interface. How could it be even possible? I am sure Amazon is not planning to ask EA Mobile to develop a better minesweeper. This all sounds a bit fishy, unless we are not talking about the same Kindle.
In truth, Amazon Kindle 3 is well over-due. Amazon Kindle has been upstaged by Nook and new Sony Readers in the past few weeks, and the company desperately needs some momentum to get back on the right track. The introduction of Kindle DX with Global Wireless doesn’t really count. Considering that Amazon loves releasing its devices in the early part of the year, we could technically see a February/March announcement for Kindle 3.
KDK can certainly be more of a success that most people think. But I am not sure what developers can do with the current software on Amazon Kindle. There are limits to what you can do with the current hardware/software setting. So don’t be surprised if Amazon introduced a color screen Kindle very soon. Amazon did test a color screen Kindle months ago but decided against introducing it as the price would have been too high. Color e-paper technology is out there, so Amazon has no excuse there. Now that Apple is planning a $1000 tablet, Amazon may be able to use that to justify introducing a more expensive Kindle.
At this point, I can’t see how developers can come up with “iPhone-like” applications for current Kindles on the market. The current Kindle software is nothing like iPhone OS (not that it’d have to be), and it still has ways to go if it is to handle sophisticated apps. So Amazon may be giving us a hint about the future of Kindle. Let’s hope Amazon steps up and delivers.
You May Also Be Interested In:
- Kindle Repairs: Where do you go?
- 15 Kindle Games Worth Checking Out
- 5 Cool Evernote Apps for iPhone and iPad
- 10 Best nook Cases For The Road
2 comments
#1WilliamJanuary 28, 2010, 4:29 pm
“Considering that Amazon loves releasing its devices in the early part of the year”
What is this based on? The first Kindle was released in November 2007. The Kindle 2 was released February 2009. Kindle DX was released May 2009. Kindle 2 International was released October 2009.
Unless there are other Amazon devices I’m unaware of, this actually shows a bias of Amazon releasing devices NOT in the early part of the year. Even if you define “early part of the year” as the first 6 months, it’s split evenly, so that doesn’t seem like a good basis for saying that Amazon is likely to announce a Kindle 3 soon.
#2P. RadJanuary 28, 2010, 10:16 pm
Kindle 2 International and Kindle DX international are not exactly what I would call “new” devices. I do grant you that Amazon hasn’t released enough e-readers. But, considering that Apple and other companies already had their chances to introduce their devices (at CES and just this past Wednesday), Amazon will need to respond and quickly. Keep in mind that Kindle development kit is on its way as well. I doubt Amazon is planning to put EA Mobile games on current generation Kindles. I am just not sure how the software would support any decent game. Besides, it’s a rumor that I have heard from a few of my contacts. It could be wrong, but so were so many iPad rumors.
Add your comment