Amazon Kindle to get a proper web browser?
updated 10:20 am EST, Tue March 9, 2010
Lab126 hiring to advance Kindle web experience
Amazon plans a larger role for the web browser on the Kindle, the company has let slip through a job listing for its e-reader division, Lab126. A position for a Software Development Engineer has been specifically tasked with improving on the Kindle's basic, "experimental" browser with new features. While no hints exist of new features, the engineer would be part of a dedicated web browser team, suggesting Amazon is now taking the software more seriously.
The recruitment is the latest in a series of signs that Amazon plans to dramatically expand the feature set of the Kindle, which while cheaper than devices like the iPad compares poorly in terms of its display and usefulness besides books. In addition to launching a rudimentary app platform in beta last month, it has also been looking to add LCDs and Wi-Fi. It's also widely accepted that the company has bought multi-touch technology through a low-key acquisition of Touchco.
Amazon hasn't commented on the significance of the posting and doesn't normally talk about its jobs outside of the listings themselves. [via Wired]
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Joined: Jul 2007
But...
does e-ink really make for a good Internet browsing experience? Is Amazon going to try to take on the iPad by going full color and adding more functionality to the Kindle? If so, BIG mistake. The more competition the better, but I think there is no way Amazon could be successful going toe-to-toe with Apple's combined hardware/software expertise and iPod/iTunes/3rd party peripheral ecosystem.