The Emergence of Kindle Apps

Many iPhone and iPod users talk about how the applications available for the iPhone platform has allowed them to get the most out of their device. I have argued here time and time again that Amazon will need similar capabilities to push Kindle to the next level. But the lack of a software development kit for Kindle has not kept creative publishers from developing simple solutions for the Kindle. Planner 2009, Calendar, and Notepad are three simple solutions that allow you to plan or keep track of things right on your Kindle.They are not earth shattering solutions, but can you blame the publisher?

These applications (if you can call them that) are not as sophisticated as iPhone or Android applications. But their existence does tell us that there is a need for third-party applications on Kindle. Amazon may have some of the best minds employed. But that doesn’t mean those guys are going to think of everything. Who would’ve guessed that we could have 20,000+ iPhone applications on the iTunes in such a short period of time? And Apple is getting paid for every single sale, which should encourage Amazon further. The need for third-party Kindle applications is real, and the sooner Amazon jumps on the bandwagon, the better off we all will be.

Your take: should Amazon allow developers to develop applications for Kindle?