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Here is the million dollar question. Knowing the success that Apple is having with the iPhone SDK, what program would you write for the Kindle, if Amazon developed an advanced API for the Kindle platform. Let’s assume that you know programming inside and out or have access to someone who does. What app(s) would you write for the Kindle?
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I would create interactive applications (games) for educational purposes. I would like to create textbooks that adjusts to the achievements of the learners. Imagine a physics book that quizzes the reader as they digest the information. And alters the learning objectives and delivery methods based on the user’s mastery of the content.
Exactly. Interactivity is going to set Kindle apart from paper books.
We at GadgetTrak would expand our anti-theft support for the device. Our current software works when in USB mode, but would like to expand this using the Whisper network.
I was going to write a post about Kindle and anti-theft. I wonder if it’s possible to track a single Kindle device using its wireless connection.
At Emageo we would sync it with our document management software so that people could take their documents with them with a very easy to read and use device
Our software is designed for meeting planners to talk to hotels, and we would love to see an SDK so we can deliver custom reports to Kindle users from our software. In effect, let them see their orders for services for their conventions and meetings without hauling around a laptop.
A forms solution to allow field personnel to fill out electronic forms. If the forms could be linked with an in-house server that works over the built-in cellular connection, you have a whole new market for the device.
Interactivity is exactly the answer. Amazon should allow developers to create interactive educational games for the device. This would make it the killer app for the educational marketplace. It would be like having WebCT in your pocket at all times. They should also include a full Word Processing app. Or simply make it a better Web browser. I understand they want to control the content but they can have it both ways. Their deals with publishers will allow for content control but allowing full iPod like Web browsing would allow for interaction with educational sites and teacher pages where they could recommend books at the Kindle store. Hopefully the next version will address this. It is the perfect device for the educational market.
Why should all good things “wait for the next version”? The Kindle runs on software — new things can be made available with a software upgrade. I just bought my kindle — don’t want to have to shell out another bunch of money to get new features.
Interactivity is what is really needed. As a teacher I’ve been waiting for such a device to become available for a long time.
You are absolutely right, but I doubt you can make Kindle show colors other than black and white with a software upgrade. But you are absolutely right. You don’t have to wait 3 years to be able to get some of the new features. And who wants to pay another $400 for a new ebook reader anyway?
Evernote with two-way sync on the Kindle would turn it into a must have for researchers, journalists, or writers. I am a journalist and have found that Evernote has revolutionized my work flow. I can honestly say that I am able to produce articles in a fraction of the time because Evernote makes collecting research painless and accessing that information superbly easy. The only draw back is that it is more time in front of a computer squinting at an LCD. Evernote on the Kindle would be a killer app for both Kindle and Evernote. For Kindle readers, we would have access to all the information we clipped from the internet without having to wait for the painfully slow Kindle browser; and as an Evernote user, I could save my eyes by reading on a device that is much closer to paper. I could even read my research out in the park in full sunlight!
Evernote on the Kindle would be unbelievable.
I would be very interested in mapping applications, in particular for use as a GPS device. I don’t think the Kindle has bluetooth capability, but if it does there are low cost bluetooth GPS receiver units that could turn the Kindle into a *readable* GPS display. Otherwise we would have to wait for a version either with Bluetooth or a built in GPS receiver.
Write a proper reference manager such that I can properly keep track of books and articles I find online via google scholar or wikipedia. Something where it stores title, author, date, isbn, etc. and has supports for notes, bookmarks and folder organization. Seriously, I’ve seen the kindle in action and this is the only thing holding me back from getting one. If the kindle programmers don’t want to develop a decent software ui, I would, but only in a manner that wouldn’t brick my device.
I would like to see something for crossword puzzles and/or Soduku. Having a newspaper on the Kindle is great, but I miss the puzzles.
There are many needs on the legal industry. Allowing document viewing, pinpoint hyperlinking and annotations would give lawyers instant access and reduce tons of paper waste…