Amazon Device Targeting allows developers to tailor APKs
updated 10:51 am EDT, Mon September 24, 2012
Developers can now optimize code for specific Kindle Fire devices
Amazon just detailed Device Targeting, a feature that lets developers to custom-tailor the Android application package (APK) to specific Amazon devices, namely the various versions of the Kindle Fire. This will allow devs to create different code for the Kindle Fire, 7-inch Fire HD, or 8.9-inch Fire HD as well as general Android devices not made by Amazon. The code can thus be optimized for screen size and resolution, OpenGL compression format, and API version.
Amazon also figures this option will let developers have better search relevancy on Google Play and other digital storefronts as the reviews, page views, and downloads will be consolidated to a single app. This will also confuse customers less, Amazon is betting.
The VersionName for each APK must be the same within an instance of an app, Amazon said, but the VersionCode must be unique to each version.
