Thursday, January 21, 2010

Amazon Launches Kindle Software Development Kit

Seattle-based Amazon.com said late Wednesday evening that it has launched a new, software development kit for its Kindle electronic reader. According to Amazon, its new Kindle Development Kit allows developers to create active content for the Kindle, including mobile games, active content, links to web site data, and more. Among firms developing content for the Kindle are EA Mobile, the mobile games arm of Electronic Arts; Handmark, which is developing an active Zagat guide which pulls Zagat's online ratings and reviews onto the Kindle; and Sonic Boom, which is building word games and puzzles for the electronic reader. Amazon said it will be providing a limited beta to participants who want to access the development kit, which includes sample code, documentation, and a Kindle Simulator which runs on Mac, PC, and Linux desktops.