Amazon Opens Kindle up to Developers — Don’t Think It Will Matter
The e-book world is fascinating to me. As a long-time reader of digital texts and a mobile aficionado, the rapid pace that is gripping the e-book scene is great to see. The news today that Amazon has opened the Kindle up to developers so they can make apps for it is surprising on the surface. The Kindle has been the most locked-down reader since its release, and it is interesting that Amazon is trying to turn the Kindle into a platform. I don’t think it will succeed, but not for the reason that is already floating around the web.
It wasn’t long after Amazon released this news that some started the speculation game. Why is Amazon doing this? Surely it’s because they are trying to deal with the heat that Apple is going to put on them with the mystical tablet / e-book reader? Amazon doesn’t want to be caught with its Kindle feet mired in quicksand, so it is turning the Kindle into a platform to cut Apple off at the pass. I don’t think that’s the main reason for Amazon’s big move.
Now, Amazon may very well be concerned with Apple’s move into the e-book world, if indeed that comes to pass. But the fact is, Amazon is already facing stiff competition from readers with platforms that developers can tap into. That platform is Android. Barnes & Noble didn’t choose Android as the platform for the Nook just because it’s open source, although that probably played a role. No, it’s a safe bet that B&N chose Android because it is already a complete platform that is optimized for handling mobile devices such as e-book readers.
There is already a vast developer network for Android, happily churning out thousands of apps. Many of those apps can be used by readers today, with little special attention required. This is why the Nook is not the only reader based on Android — there are quite a few of them getting ready for release. This is the real competition that Amazon faces with the Kindle, because it is already in motion no matter what Apple does with the fabled tablet. Amazon realizes it is move forward or stagnate, and opening up the Kindle for developers is something they must do to compete with Android.
I don’t believe opening up the Kindle will help Amazon deal with these upstarts in the long run. Android is already a complete platform, and I don’t see developers making the Kindle into one. Why spend a lot of effort to do so when these Android-based readers are already out there? No matter what Apple does, and if they enter into the e-book market it will certainly get even murkier for Amazon. Open Kindle or no.
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I don’t know if I would use the term happily with android development, they seem a bit more sullen than happily encompasses. I haven’t seen any happy stories of developers paying off their mortgages with a break through hit in the Android Market (heck I’ve had my Nexus One for two weeks now and I still haven’t been able to pay money for an app, the Market refuses to take my money)
I’ve been suggesting lots of apps to Amazon. As the Microsoft ads say “I am Kindle and the KDK was my idea.” :-) I want an active wall paper app that puts up the current weather when the Kindle is sleeping. I want my Amazon Fresh app. Anyway, at least one person is eagerly awaiting the KDK’s delivery so they can get busy adding value tot he Kindle.
If just about every other e-reader platform is an open development platform, doesn’t Amazon have to at least open up the Kindle as well? Amazon has little choice but to this in order to remain competitive. Are you saying that Amazon should throw in the towel with the looming competition? I think what Amazon is doing is great. It may no prevail in the long run, but it should at least fight. Also I don’t see why It can’t be in the e-reader market for at least a while.
Nope, I’m just saying that Android is a much more “developable” platform and I don’t think the closed Kindle platform will really make a difference. Just my opinion,but I am glad they are opening it up.
Well I think if Amazon opens up the Kindle platform for development, it stands a decent chance of fighting its competition. Still, my own feeling is that if MS adds a brand new touch interface to Windows 8, Windows tablets will likely quickly dominate e-reading. Amazon et al may no longer make money from hardware sales, but they could still make money from ebook services they provide on the PC. Nice blog by the way.
Can you feel it ?
I know ALL eReader makers are shaking in their boots right ’bout now. There is a tsunami of great strength approaching just beyond the Horizon. Cupertino geniuses will soon unleash a new platform that will cast a full shadow of doubt upon the worthiness of any standalone eReader’s viability from January 27th forward. The Apple gods will leverage their existing infrastructure to bring today’s ancient eReaders to their knees and force them to bow to the new King of eReader Nation as Steve ascends to his rightful thrown sitting above all other eReaders that dare approach. Yes this is an unstoppable force of nature that is about to be released to make this a better world.
FYI, Steve Jobs eats Kindle & Nook for breakfast !
Soon the pretenders will be separated from the contender and one giant iSlate will rise above their ashes to proclaim victory in the eReader Wars of 2010. So this is how it shall be as a new era of computing begins…..January 27, 2010
As a great starship leader once said “Make it so number one“.