Trying to encourage developers to write apps

Amazon has opened up its Kindle Fire to developers. Two days after it began shipping the Android tablet, the online giant has posted a link to the device's source code. The company hopes to attract developers, though the code is also legally required under the Android license.

Although Android based, the Fire's user interface is unique and highly customized. Many of the apps that run on other Android tablets are currently not compatible or run in a less than ideal form. If Amazon is to expand the appeal of the Fire, source code helps ease porting existing apps over to the device as well as to write new apps with the interface in mind.

The Kindle Fire runs Android 2.3 but doesn't have the hardware navigation buttons that pre-3.0 tablets need. As such, most third-party apps risk breaking even if the hardware can handle the features.

By Electronista Staff