Amazon Releasing Software Development Kit to Bring Apps to Kindle

[Stella]

Even without the rumored tablet, Apple already has long had two Kindle-killers, the iPhone and iPod touch.

Absolutely, I also know a few people who use their Touch's to read books.. it works really well them. In fact, they based their purchasing decision to get a Touch over a regular iPod because of this reason - eBooks.

ok ok...i'll settle for a draw based on price point

Really, why the ? When the average consumers thinks about buying a product, price point becomes very important. The average consumer doesn't have unlimited $$$, and has to consider - "can I afford it", "do I want to spend that much money".

I get the impression that a lot of people on here do not fit into the "average consumer" category.

 

[*LTD*]

In all fairness, though, I hope this Apple tablet isn't $1000. That might be a bit prohibitive to its widespread adoption. Unless our next Macbook purchase is really supposed to be a tablet purchase - in which case this tablet had better be very, very capable.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

Absolutely, I also know a few people who use their Touch's to read books.. it works really well them. In fact, they based their purchasing decision to get a Touch over a regular iPod because of this reason - eBooks.

The only person i've ever talked to in person that had a kindle - didn't know the Touch even existed nor that you could read your kindle books on it. She loves her kindle - but said she would be looking into buying a Touch to replace it.

(a young grandmother that works in a quilt shop in case that matters).

I liked her kindle when i checked it out - the size/weight is perfect for my Dad who can't physically hold a heavy book. I'm not sure if he has tried reading anything on his Touch yet though.

 

[*LTD*]

Looks like Amazon will do just about anything to get these things to move . . .

http://www.techcrunch.com/2010/01/20/amazon-kindle-free/

http://www.neowin.net/news/amazon-is-basically-giving-away-kindles-for-free

Amazon is basically giving away Kindles, for free
By Benjamin Rubenstein

TechCrunch has confirmed with Amazon that they are, in fact, giving select Amazon users the ability to get a Kindle with no risk involved. If you are offered the promotion and decide, within thirty days of purchasing a Kindle, that you don't like it, Amazon will give you a full refund and let you keep the Kindle (and its snazzy cover).

It seems that the special offer is being extended to Amazon users who are regular book purchasers on the site. Amazon's offer says that "Because you've been an unusually active book customer, we're confident you will love Kindle." It's unclear what they mean by "active," but many users who have recieved the offer are those who purchase at least a book a month (some exceptions have been reported as well).

 

[ghostface147]

Still not getting one until someone proves that we can run Crysis on it!

Well I guess you don't have a lot of portable technology since Crysis won't run efficiently on most mainstream computers at all, much less a portable platform.

 

[MacFly123]

Too little, too late.

I simply don't get this action as it's too late in my view. Apple is going to change the game once again with a better product, end-to-end user experience, ease of use, and content resulting in an overall better platform relative to the Kindle.

In my view, the beginning of the end for the Kindle is now underway.

Ditto. Kindle is about to look like a dinosaur.

Oh wait, it already does! And not a fast or colorful one.

Expensive, single-function e-book reader gets lousy apps.

Winner.

This all looks so sad and pathetic. Jeff Bezos is about to learn very painfully why he is just a Steve Jobs wannabe and NOT Steve Jobs lol! Amazon is so in over their heads it is beyond ridiculous. If they honestly think for a second, that they can compete with Apple hardware, OS X, iPhone OS SDK, multi-touch, movies, tv, games, 100,000+ apps, magazines, newspapers, textbooks, ebooks, iTunes Extras & LPs, iTunes, Apple TV integration, the Apple ecosystem, Apple UI, Apple design, and more, they are COMPLETELY DELUSIONAL!!!

The Kindle is DONE! It will literally be OBLITERATED by the iSlate PERIOD!

 

[pol0001]

Why are so many here focused on games???

There are lots of other apps that don't need fast processors or color screens. I would be interest in buying a Kindle, if I could add some productivity apps like
- calendar
- email
- tasks
- read/edit Office files
- notebook etc.

If the Kindle gains these abilities than I will buy a Kindle for $260 instead of a tablet for $1,000. Because I wouldn't use a tabletPC for much more.

 

[JoeDMD]

Ugh... these "apps" will be about as compelling as the old PalmPilot ones. Yawn.

Do not disrespect Dope Wars

 

[trip1ex]

IN related news Emerson has released an app development kit for their Clock Radios.

 

[WestonHarvey1]

If they honestly think for a second, that they can compete with Apple hardware, OS X, iPhone OS SDK, multi-touch, movies, tv, games, 100,000+ apps, magazines, newspapers, textbooks, ebooks, iTunes Extras & LPs, iTunes, Apple TV integration, the Apple ecosystem, Apple UI, Apple design, and more, they are COMPLETELY DELUSIONAL!!!

The Kindle is DONE! It will literally be OBLITERATED by the iSlate PERIOD!

So you'd have a better opinion of the Kindle if it didn't have an SDK? Have you considered that this move might be meant to differentiate the Kindle from other eBook readers, and not to directly compete with Apple's tablet?

 

[iDisk]

should have a vote then?

umm..

 

[Legolover64]

All you people posting stuff like "OMG it's so old and has a bad screen" and "Wow an Atari could beat this" are so funny and hilarious! Truly you are all consumer electronics and usability (isn't that something Apple loves?) geniuses and realize the importance of e-ink.

The fact is that it is far easier to read a book on e-ink than LCD, that's practically undeniable. Unfortunately, it takes a while to refresh, which is why the games for it won't be super high-intensity, although I'm sure the processor could take it. It runs at clock speeds higher than the 3G, and only a little less than the 3GS. Why all the blind Amazon hate?

Fanboys are really fun.

 

[WestonHarvey1]

Kindle

I don't understand what is so hard to get about the Kindle. It is an ebook reader. It has a few features that cannot be replaced by the Apple tablet:

- A screen that can be read for hours without eye strain
- Battery charge lasts for weeks not hours
- Free internet for life, no contracts

If you're interested in those features, it's your product.

 

[ChazUK]

Why are so many here focused on games???

There are lots of other apps that don't need fast processors or color screens. I would be interest in buying a Kindle, if I could add some productivity apps like
- calendar
- email
- tasks
- read/edit Office files
- notebook etc.

If the Kindle gains these abilities than I will buy a Kindle for $260 instead of a tablet for $1,000. Because I wouldn't use a tabletPC for much more.

Isn't it likely that someone into tech enough to have a Kindle that they already have most of these functions in a phone?

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Unless if Amazon is planning to offer a new Kindle this year?

Wouldn't matter. Assuming Apple is going to release a knock-out product next Wed., the Kindle is now as irrelevant as a Rio MP3 player in 2002. There probably will be loyal Kindle users who won't jump to the Apple Tablet, but I doubt they are interested in using the Kindle for anything but a reader.

In short Amazon, which has been making hardware for just 3 years can't start competing with a Job II era Apple AFTER Apple shows it's tablet. The PR train has left the station by then.

 

[*LTD*]

The PR train has left the station by then.

It's already en route.

http://www.macdailynews.com/index.p...islate_tablet_stirring_strong_wave_of_demand/

 

[Chupa Chupa]

I don't understand what is so hard to get about the Kindle. It is an ebook reader. It has a few features that cannot be replaced by the Apple tablet:

- A screen that can be read for hours without eye strain
- Battery charge lasts for weeks not hours
- Free internet for life, no contracts

If you're interested in those features, it's your product.

Unless you have an ability to transport yourself to next Wed today that is all ill-informed conjecture.

And the Kindle's "free" Internet for Life is as useful as a Maserati with only 3 wheels. The Kindle's wireless is only useful to d/l books. BFD. Trying to browse web sites on the Kindle is like doing a crossword puzzle in the dark.

 

[kresh]

- Free internet for life, no contracts

I think this is a clue as to what type of apps will not make it onto the Kindle. I can't see any of the bandwidth intensive apps being ported to the Kindle that I use like SimplyMusic and such.

 

[bemylover]

Can there be an app that will convert other ebook formats into kindle format?

 

[John.B]

The Apple tablet is not for everyone.. You seem to think that an Apple Tablet should be the choice for all - one device fits everyone. But I'm sorry, this is not the case.

Sure, the Apple tablet will be great and sell well, but it won't fit everyones needs or desires, especially if the price point is important.

This is a great point and bears repeating:

The Apple tablet will not replace your MBP or iMac any time soon.

 

[cmaier]

I think this is a clue as to what type of apps will not make it onto the Kindle. I can't see any of the bandwidth intensive apps being ported to the Kindle that I use like SimplyMusic and such.

Not given that Amazon makes the developer pay for your bandwidth

 

[DaveGee]

Chess, Othello, Wordsearch, Solitare, Minesweeper, Crossword games, "brain training" quizzes....

Can't think of much more.

Breakout, Super Breakout...

Battle-Zone, Lunar Lander, Pong and Tempest... (some of these might be pushing the limits of the refresh rate tho)

 

[rusty2192]

3G data connection

- Free internet for life, no contracts

This is the part I am curious about. I understand that the Kindle uses one of the wireless carrier's 3G network (Sprint maybe?) for downloading books, but are they really going to appreciate having the additional bandwidth from these apps with no fees? Or are the prices of the apps going to be inflated to cover the data costs associated with them?

 

[pol0001]

Isn't it likely that someone into tech enough to have a Kindle that they already have most of these functions in a phone?

Sure, my iPhone has all these function. BUT it also has a very small screen, to small to be used for intensive note taking. My iPhone is no match for my Moleskine in that aspect. But a Kindle 2 comes with a 6" screen.

If a Kindle gets the above mentioned capabilities, I would trade my iPhone for a regular cellphone with the next contract renewal.

 

[CyberBob859]

Why is everyone so sure this SDK was meant for gaming? There are a lot of other applications that could be useful on the Kindle that are not games.

+1

The person who writes an app that allows you to manage content in a better way than Kindle's home page list view will win big. That is something a lot of people have been crying for.

There's enough capability in the hardware to also allow a decent MP3 player to be written for it too.

I would also like to see some type of Calibre functionality applied to it.

Plenty of things to come up with that are not games. This should've been done a long time ago.