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Amazon Cracks Open the Kindle

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Re: Amazon Cracks Open the Kindle

#31

Post by Tichy »

I don't have a Kindle yet, so I wonder what the connectivity is like? I think you can't just surf the web with a Kindle, so web applications are out?

This news makes me dither between excitement and desperation. Yet another completely different mobile platform to support? Fragmentation is really becoming a problem, web apps seemed like the only hope for a solution... In any case, I suppose it makes sense to wait for the iPad, perhaps we'll think completely different about mobile internet after that.

Re: Amazon Cracks Open the Kindle

#32

Post by Erwin »

Tichy wrote: post #31

I don't have a Kindle yet, so I wonder what the connectivity is like? I think you can't just surf the web with a Kindle, so web applications are out? This news makes me dither between excitement and desperation. Yet another completely different mobile platform to support? Fragmentation is really becoming a problem, web apps seemed like the only hope for a solution... In any case, I suppose it makes sense to wait for…

It has a basic web browser, but for international customers it seems most sites are restricted -- I can only browse Wikipedia (it uses the mobile version, http://en.m.wikipedia.org/ )

I suspect the deals they've had to do with however many 3G provider companies mean more expensive bandwidth outside of US.

I'm not sure about Kindle as an app platform; it feels a little too sluggish when the screen needs to be updated. Good enough for going to a new book page, but interactive applications may be difficult (e.g. just moving the cursor around faster leaves a visible trail). Maybe a new generation of the device with faster screen updates (some kind of dual e-ink/OLED screen?) and better keyboard.

Re: Amazon Cracks Open the Kindle

#33

Post by joubert »

Tichy wrote: post #31

I don't have a Kindle yet, so I wonder what the connectivity is like? I think you can't just surf the web with a Kindle, so web applications are out? This news makes me dither between excitement and desperation. Yet another completely different mobile platform to support? Fragmentation is really becoming a problem, web apps seemed like the only hope for a solution... In any case, I suppose it makes sense to wait for…

You can surf the web (it is an experimental feature), but even a basic site like HN renders like crap.

Re: Amazon Cracks Open the Kindle

#35

Post by sliverstorm »

davidw wrote: post #30

I wonder what language/API it uses? Java or C++ are probably safe guesses.

I believe Java is out- it uses a ARM11 CPU running Linux, and I am not aware of a commonly available Java for ARM CPU's...?

C/C++ would be seem like a good guess (and my personal preference), but on the other hand it might allow lower-level access than they are prepared to give.

In reality, anything that compiles on Linux on the ARM processor could be game- python, ruby, c/c++, perl... but, that kind of access is probably just a pipe dream.

Re: Amazon Cracks Open the Kindle

#36

Post by sliverstorm »

sliverstorm wrote: post #11
ryanwaggoner wrote: post #3

Can someone venture some guesses as to what types of apps will be created? That screen seems like a terribly limiting factor for apps...

Am I the only one who is dreaming of an email client? webmail doesn't do it for me. A real client would be amazing. Seriously though, let's consider. I hear of tons of apps that are really clever on the iPhone store, and many of them do not use the camera, gfx, gps or accelerometer. It's true the iPhone has more computing power, but both have 3G. My mind's not in a state right now to do a real comparison, but in my o…

Actually, I have just realized that the Kindle 2 has a faster CPU than the iPhone 3G by a good 100MHz (not 3GS)!

Re: Amazon Cracks Open the Kindle

#37

Post by davidw »

sliverstorm wrote: post #35
davidw wrote: post #30

I wonder what language/API it uses? Java or C++ are probably safe guesses.

I believe Java is out- it uses a ARM11 CPU running Linux, and I am not aware of a commonly available Java for ARM CPU's...? C/C++ would be seem like a good guess (and my personal preference), but on the other hand it might allow lower-level access than they are prepared to give. In reality, anything that compiles on Linux on the ARM processor could be game- python, ruby, c/c++, perl... but, that kind of access is pro…

> I am not aware of a commonly available Java for ARM CPU'

What do you think J2ME runs on?

Re: Amazon Cracks Open the Kindle

#38

Post by sliverstorm »

melling wrote: post #12
jasonlbaptiste wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The 15 cents per megabyte charge could be limiting at first. I don't know what an application might use and how frequently, so it might not be a concern at all. If it is, i'm sure the pricing will eventually go down to a number that is so low that it no longer is a concern.

Let's hope they put wifi in the next gen Kindle's. It's crazy that they left it out.

I absolutely love WiFi, and wish every mobile device had it, but I can easily see how it would appear useless in their original vision for the Kindle. Anything that is useless, is of course cut for cost reasons.

Remember, the 3G modem really was only used in the first place so you can seamlessly buy books from anywhere, on the go. Anywhere there is WiFi, there is almost always 3G/1Rtt, and WiFi is more complicated for the uneducated consumer than an on-off connection as simple as cell phones. All the user even needs to know with cell phones is "I have reception" or "I don't", instead of signal strengths of different networks, what key & kind of key to use, what networks are not safe, and so on.

Let's not forget one of the common reasons for hybrid 3G/WiFi usage is to avoid billing on the cellular network. Notice, that problem is gone for the end user with the Kindle.

Re: Amazon Cracks Open the Kindle

#39

Post by cabalamat »

If the opening up doesn't include an API that allows me to transfer kindle book files onto my Linux box in a portable, DRM-free format, then for me at least it is worthless and Amazon can throw their kindle on a bonfire.

Re: Amazon Cracks Open the Kindle

#40

Post by scscsc »

ryanwaggoner wrote: post #3

Can someone venture some guesses as to what types of apps will be created? That screen seems like a terribly limiting factor for apps...

Non-realtime society games, learning foreign language kits (the kindle has audio output), a programming language (+ perhaps eulerprojet like contests). I was really excited about this one until I figured they haven't read RFC 5322 on email address validation since they can't validate mine: first.last+kindle@gmail.com.
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