That’s a big news. Amazon has decided to release SDK for Kindle so that people can contribute making applications for Kindle just like AApple’s iPhone. It’ll be available in February as beta-test. There are some news that Amazon already gave access to SDK to some companies like Handmark to develop active Zagat restaurant guides for the Kindle, while Sonic Boom is making word games and puzzles for the device.
Here is what you expect to get in February:
- A limited beta test of the KDK to download the kit
- The KDK will include sample code, documentation, and the Kindle Simulator
- Test the content on the Kindle Simulator
- Simulates will be available for both the 6-inch Kindle or 9.7-inch Kindle DX on Mac, PC
You can see webpage for KDK on amazon here. You can also submit your email to be beta tester.
Here is more what the amazon KDK website details:
Revenue Share
User revenue will be split 70% to the developer and 30% to Amazon net of delivery fees of $0.15 / MB. Remember 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.
Pricing Options
Active content will be available to customers in the Kindle Store later this year. Your active content can be priced three ways:
- Free – Active content applications that are smaller than 1MB and use less than 100KB/user/month of wireless data may be offered at no charge to customers. Amazon will pay the wireless costs associated with delivery and maintenance.
- One-time Purchase – Customers will be charged once when purchasing active content. Content must have nominal (less than 100KB/user/month) ongoing wireless usage.
- Monthly Subscription – Customers will be charged once per month for active content.
Active content applications have an upper size limit of 100MB. Applications larger than 10MB will not be delivered wirelessly but can be downloaded from the Kindle Store to a computer and transferred to the user’s Kindle via USB.
Developer Guidelines
Voice over IP functionality, advertising, offensive materials, collection of customer information without express customer knowledge and consent, or usage of the Amazon or Kindle brand in any way are not allowed. In addition, active content must meet all Amazon technical requirements, not be a generic reader, and not contain malicious code.
