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mike_bike_kite · 07-07-2010, 05:11 AM

Ereaders are just slow computers with even slower screens. Some ereaders have a Software Development Kit (SDK) that allows developers to create applications for them. The small issue for developers at the moment is that if you develop an application for say Pocketbook then this application will only run on Pocketbook devices and you'll have a very limited market.

Is there no possibility of having a standard SDK across all platforms that would allow the same program to be run on all ereaders? Sure devices differ but most are Linux based and all have pretty much the same choice of inputs whether it's a keyboard, a touch screen or perhaps just a 5 way controller. Screen sizes also differ from 5" to 11" with additional options for landscape and portrait modes but the program just needs to know the X,Y dimensions of the current screen. So providing a standard Java interface should be straightforward and it would also provide the most security.

Could this standard SDK then be a selling point for future ereaders because buyers know that they would have access to a wide range of applications rather than having to wait for enthusiasts to create them (if indeed they do at all). Is this possible?

07-07-2010, 05:11 AM	#1
mike_bike_kite Digitally confused Posts: 500 Karma: 1500000 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: London, UK Device: KPW, K2i, Nexus 7 32gb, Kobo Mini	Standard SDK across all ereaders? Ereaders are just slow computers with even slower screens. Some ereaders have a Software Development Kit (SDK) that allows developers to create applications for them. The small issue for developers at the moment is that if you develop an application for say Pocketbook then this application will only run on Pocketbook devices and you'll have a very limited market. Is there no possibility of having a standard SDK across all platforms that would allow the same program to be run on all ereaders? Sure devices differ but most are Linux based and all have pretty much the same choice of inputs whether it's a keyboard, a touch screen or perhaps just a 5 way controller. Screen sizes also differ from 5" to 11" with additional options for landscape and portrait modes but the program just needs to know the X,Y dimensions of the current screen. So providing a standard Java interface should be straightforward and it would also provide the most security. Could this standard SDK then be a selling point for future ereaders because buyers know that they would have access to a wide range of applications rather than having to wait for enthusiasts to create them (if indeed they do at all). Is this possible?