This morning Amazon.com (AMZN) made its Kindle Development Kit available for software developers, opening the door for new applications to expand the functionality of the device. Developers can apply here.
Our digitally obsessed sibling has all the details: “The KDK comes with a simulator, as well as permission to test apps on up to three Kindles before submitting to Amazon … As far as pricing goes, Amazon promises at 70%/30% share, minus $.15/MB for download. And, Amazon also points out ‘that unlike smart phones, the Kindle user does not pay a monthly wireless fee or enter into an annual wireless contract. Kindle active content must be priced to cover the costs of downloads and on going usage.'”
We’ve been excited to see how developers will use the new tools, and at Digital Book World, we asked developer Joshua Tallent from eBook Architects to give us some of his ideas for Kindle apps. His enthusiastic response should help developers, publishers, and readers re-think the Kindle.