January 22, 2010 at 16:02Amazon Offers Publishers New Option: DIY Applications
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One of the most violent topics for criticizing the Kindle was its closeness, because this device can use the Internet. Now there will be fewer attacks, because Amazon said today that “this year” “active content” will appear in the Kindle Store, produced by developers who will be able to set their own price and get 70% after deducting shipping costs. The Kindle Developer Kit ( The Kindle Development Kit ) is already being used by a small group of Electronic Arts and Handmark, who are currently developing Zagat. Amazon also accepts applications from those wishing to participate in an experiment for limited beta demonstration in February, only in the United States.
This announcement by Amazon a week before Apple's all-anticipated presentation means that Amazon wants to build a more attractive image for publishers and make the device more useful to consumers, of course, within its capabilities. On Wednesday, the company published a plan explaining how an e-book publisher can get its 70% by distributing them through Amazon.
Developers are prohibited from incorporating “VoIP functionality, advertising, abusive materials, covert collection of consumer data, or using the Amazon and Kindle brands in any way.” They are also prohibited from offering "just a reading room." But publishers who have complained about pricing policies will now be able to develop their own active content and set their own price. Amazon still retains all relationships with the end user, which, of course, does not meet the plans of Rupert Murdoch. Applications are divided into three price categories:
The size of applications should not exceed 100 megabytes, everything that is more than 10 megabytes should be downloaded via USB, and not wirelessly.
Kindle Vice President Ian Freed told The New York Times that he expects a wide range of programs, including utilities such as a calculator, stock market widgets, casual video games, and actually searchable e-books. Amazon said Handmark is making Zagat an active guide, and Sonic Boom is busy with word and puzzle games.
This announcement by Amazon a week before Apple's all-anticipated presentation means that Amazon wants to build a more attractive image for publishers and make the device more useful to consumers, of course, within its capabilities. On Wednesday, the company published a plan explaining how an e-book publisher can get its 70% by distributing them through Amazon.
Developers are prohibited from incorporating “VoIP functionality, advertising, abusive materials, covert collection of consumer data, or using the Amazon and Kindle brands in any way.” They are also prohibited from offering "just a reading room." But publishers who have complained about pricing policies will now be able to develop their own active content and set their own price. Amazon still retains all relationships with the end user, which, of course, does not meet the plans of Rupert Murdoch. Applications are divided into three price categories:
- Free. For applications smaller than 1 Mb and using less than 100 Kb of wireless traffic per month. Amazon takes all the costs.
- One-time payment. The amount will be divided in a proportion of 70/30. Network Delivery Fee: $ 0.15 / Mb. The price of the application should cover the cost of downloading and further use.
- Subscription. The amount is divided in the same proportion, but the payment is made monthly.
The size of applications should not exceed 100 megabytes, everything that is more than 10 megabytes should be downloaded via USB, and not wirelessly.
Kindle Vice President Ian Freed told The New York Times that he expects a wide range of programs, including utilities such as a calculator, stock market widgets, casual video games, and actually searchable e-books. Amazon said Handmark is making Zagat an active guide, and Sonic Boom is busy with word and puzzle games.