Amazon Rolling Out Kindle Development Kit
Amazon has release its limited beta for the Kindle Development Kit. Accepted beta developers will be able to download the Kindle Development Kit, access developer support, test content on Kindle, and submit finished content.
Source: Kindle Development Kit
Amazon Buys Touchco And A Microsoft Executive
Amazon is planning to best Apple’s iPad by buying touchscreen vendor Touchco and Microsoft marketing veteran Mike Nash. Touchco technology is made for color transparent displays, is low power, and is inexpensive, costing as little as $10 a square foot.
Source: Amazon Buying Touchscreen Vendor
Amazon Kindle Feeling The Heat From Apple’s Tablet
Amazon is feeling the need to improve the Kindle before Apple releases iSlate tablet. Amazon opens Kindle SDK to developers to create and sell apps through the Kindle Store. The company also offer developers a 70-30 split, similar to what iPhone developers get.
Can Amazon out smart Apple with these changes to Kindle? We say no. Why would developers create apps on a device that is only for reading text. And you cannot play games on the Kindle and games are the number one seller on the iPhone. In addition to that, the device can only render in shades of grey! The Nook at least has some colour on their device.
Our prediction is Apple is going to trump Amazon with their new iSlate tablet.
Justice Department Settles Kindle Inaccessibility Controversy
Four universities (Arizona State University, Case Western Reserve University, Pace University and Reed College) have agreed they will not purchase, recommend or promote use of the Kindle DX, unless the e-book reader is fully accessible to blind students, according to the US Department of Justice.
Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez said, Advancing technology is systematically changing the way universities approach education, but we must be sure that emerging technologies offer individuals with disabilities the same opportunities as other students.
Amazon Adds PDF Support For Kindle 2
Amazon has released Kindle software update version 2.3 which includes PDF support.
Other features are:
- Longer battery life for Kindle (Global Wireless): You can now read for up to 1 week on a single charge with wireless on. Turn wireless off and read for up to 2 weeks.
- Built-in PDF reader: Your Kindle can now display PDF documents without losing the formatting of the original file. Send PDF documents directly to your Kindle (via your @Kindle address) or drag and drop PDF files from your computer to your Kindle (when connected via USB).
- Manual screen rotation: The Kindle screen can now manually rotate between portrait and landscape views so you can see the entire width of a web page or magnify the page of a PDF file. The page-turn buttons work the same in either orientation, and the 5-way controller movements are switched to match the orientation.
- Option to convert PDF files to Kindle format. If you prefer to have your personal PDF documents converted to the Kindle format (so that they can reflow), type “Convert” in the subject of the e-mail when you submit your personal document to your @kindle.com address.
Amazon Kindle App For PC
Amazon has announced during the Windows 7 launch that the company will release a Kindle app for the PC. The app will be free, multitouch capable on Windows 7 and it will be available in November. You can find out more features on their website.
Amazon Goes International With Kindle
Amazon has reduced the price of the Kindle 2 to $259 and the company has released the International wireless version for $279 which ships on October 19. The International version will work in over 100 countries using wireless networks from international partners.
Apple Snow Leopard Cheaper On Amazon
Apple’s next update to Mac OS X is now out. Where can you get it cheaper other than Amazon. The upgrade version is 14% cheaper at $29. Snow Leopard 5-license Family Pack is selling for $44, a savings of 10%.
Apple has also slashed the price of Snow Leopard Server from $499 to 444.99, a savings of 11%.
Update: Amazon Kindle DX
In a few more hours, Amazon is going to launch a new, larger version of its e-book reader Kindle to be used for textbooks, newspapers and magazines. It will be known as Kindle DX and it has a 9.7-inch display which is 2 inch larger than a Kindle.
Amazon has been working with textbook publishers to make their textbooks available for the device. This will allow Amazon to gain into the $9 billion textbooks market. Other features are full browser, PDF enabled,
But Amazon’s effort will go to waste when Apple releases the a tablet-style computer later this year.
Amazon Reveals Large Kindle For Textbooks
Amazon is going to launch a new, larger version of its e-book reader Kindle to be used for textbooks, newspapers and magazines. Amazon has been working with textbook publishers to make their textbooks available for the device. This will allow Amazon to gain into the $9 billion textbooks market.
But Amazon’s effort will go to waste when Apple releases the a tablet-style computer later this year.
Source: Large-Screen Kindle Won’t Mean Squat if Apple Tablet Arrives
