Kindle Paperwhite apps or games?

ProDigit · 12-30-2012, 09:41 PM

Hi,

As always, the funny question to ask, is if there are any games or apps available on a reading device like the PW?

I remember that same question was asked for a Sony PRS-series reader a few years back, and it took most just about a couple of weeks to deliver a workable game like Sudoku on it.

So how about the paperwhite?

Games, apps?

Thanks!

holgalee · 12-30-2012, 10:48 PM

Yes, I've installed some games by searching for kindle active content: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...active+content.

ProDigit · 12-30-2012, 11:17 PM

I found, at the time of this writing,
grid detective,
Every word crossing, and a few other freebies on amazon!

Too bad minesweeper is only on the tablets, not the paperwhite.

peter12345 · 12-31-2012, 05:31 AM

Still not available for UK customers!

ixtab · 12-31-2012, 06:55 AM

If you're based in the US, you should be able to install most of the active content officially available online at Amazon. If you live anywhere else, you won't be allowed to install anything, not even the free apps or games.

BTW, many of the people in the dev corner had applied (even multiple times) to officially get access to the Kindle Development Kit, but as far as I know, in none of the cases did Amazon even bother to reply. So we're just doing our own "unofficial" stuff on jailbroken devices.

There must be some reason why Amazon does it this way, but the logic is beyond me.

DuckieTigger · 12-31-2012, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ixtab

There must be some reason why Amazon does it this way, but the logic is beyond me.

There is a really good reason. They don't want to, because if they did, then the e-ink devices would compete with the shiny tablet versions. Look at Prime in the US: huge benefit when you have a Fire and you can stream many movies and tv-shows for free. Prime on eink? Useless in comparison. Whoo Hoo, you get 1 (ONE) book per account out of the owners lending library as often as once a month. A lot of the books in the lending library don't even even cost that much to purc hase outright (a lot of them under $4, many $0.99).

HarryT · 12-31-2012, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

There is a really good reason. They don't want to, because if they did, then the e-ink devices would compete with the shiny tablet versions.

Your logic slightly eludes me. How does this explain the fact that "active content" is available in the US, but not elsewhere?

DuckieTigger · 12-31-2012, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Your logic slightly eludes me. How does this explain the fact that "active content" is available in the US, but not elsewhere?

I was refering to the part where Amazon is reluctant to hand out developer packages to create active content.

The example with Prime shows how Amazon really does not want tablet and e-ink to compete. They don't want the eink to be too useful, and want to sell you both plus prime.

omega34 · 12-31-2012, 02:21 PM

I don't think that access of the Kindle Development Kit would cause e-ink devices to compete with tablets like the KF. People don't only buy tablets for the apps. E-ink devices definitely can't run videos, at least for now.

DuckieTigger · 12-31-2012, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omega34

I don't think that access of the Kindle Development Kit would cause e-ink devices to compete with tablets like the KF. People don't only buy tablets for the apps. E-ink devices definitely can't run videos, at least for now.

Sure, videos are out of reach. And since audio is not available on PW, everything audio is out of the question. Something simple like notes would be really useful - either text with the keyboard or drawing notes with a stylus. I am sure that the ability to create a shopping list right on the device, and then just cross off as you go would be a feature many would love. Except having a device for you to kill time by reading and a few (board) games, carry your shopping list with you, plus the ability to use it in bright sunlight - now that would seriously cut into the domain of why some carry their tablet with them. If your eink device can do that, than why bother to spend all the extra money on a Fire?

By keeping it seperate: this is for reading only, and this is for everything else Amazon avoids competing with itself. It makes the Fire more desirable to have if you want it all. Even if you want eink to read, you would still need to buy a Fire on top of that if a writeable shopping list is on your wish list.

HarryT · 12-31-2012, 03:55 PM

Not so; there are "notepad" apps available for the Kindle.

DuckieTigger · 12-31-2012, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Not so; there are "notepad" apps available for the Kindle.

For the Kindle Paperwhite? If so, please show me, I am interested in having that

GoSharks · 12-31-2012, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

For the Kindle Paperwhite? If so, please show me, I am interested in having that

Here's one : http://www.amazon.com/Notepad-Plus/d...d_sim_kstore_2

I really liked STICKY NOTES for my K2i (simplicity!) but it is not yet compatible with the PW.

ProDigit · 12-31-2012, 08:04 PM

Notepad plus is actually a text writer.
It would be nice to have a paint-like program that works with lines and vectors; based on touchscreen input; to eg: make paintings, drawings, sketches.

booklover6 · 12-31-2012, 08:27 PM

This is active content for the PW My Checklist

12-30-2012, 09:41 PM	#1
ProDigit Karmaniac Posts: 2,553 Karma: 11499146 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Miami FL Device: PRS-505, Jetbook, + Mini, +Color, Astak Ez Reader Pro, PPW1, Aura H2O	Kindle Paperwhite apps or games? Hi, As always, the funny question to ask, is if there are any games or apps available on a reading device like the PW? I remember that same question was asked for a Sony PRS-series reader a few years back, and it took most just about a couple of weeks to deliver a workable game like Sudoku on it. So how about the paperwhite? Games, apps? Thanks!

12-31-2012, 08:04 PM	#14
ProDigit Karmaniac Posts: 2,553 Karma: 11499146 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Miami FL Device: PRS-505, Jetbook, + Mini, +Color, Astak Ez Reader Pro, PPW1, Aura H2O	Notepad plus is actually a text writer. It would be nice to have a paint-like program that works with lines and vectors; based on touchscreen input; to eg: make paintings, drawings, sketches. Last edited by ProDigit; 12-31-2012 at 08:11 PM.

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12-30-2012, 10:48 PM	#2
holgalee Kindle Newbie Posts: 48 Karma: 362 Join Date: Apr 2012 Device: Kindle 3 & PW	Yes, I've installed some games by searching for kindle active content: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...active+content.

12-30-2012, 11:17 PM	#3
ProDigit Karmaniac Posts: 2,553 Karma: 11499146 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Miami FL Device: PRS-505, Jetbook, + Mini, +Color, Astak Ez Reader Pro, PPW1, Aura H2O	I found, at the time of this writing, grid detective, Every word crossing, and a few other freebies on amazon! Too bad minesweeper is only on the tablets, not the paperwhite.

12-31-2012, 05:31 AM	#4
peter12345 Connoisseur Posts: 93 Karma: 498332 Join Date: Jun 2012 Device: 2 * K3 with 3G, Sony PRS-T1	Still not available for UK customers!

12-31-2012, 06:55 AM	#5
ixtab (offline) Posts: 2,907 Karma: 6736094 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: K3, K4, K5, KPW, KPW2	If you're based in the US, you should be able to install most of the active content officially available online at Amazon. If you live anywhere else, you won't be allowed to install anything, not even the free apps or games. BTW, many of the people in the dev corner had applied (even multiple times) to officially get access to the Kindle Development Kit, but as far as I know, in none of the cases did Amazon even bother to reply. So we're just doing our own "unofficial" stuff on jailbroken devices. There must be some reason why Amazon does it this way, but the logic is beyond me.

12-31-2012, 02:21 PM	#9
omega34 Enthusiast Posts: 33 Karma: 478402 Join Date: Dec 2012 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	I don't think that access of the Kindle Development Kit would cause e-ink devices to compete with tablets like the KF. People don't only buy tablets for the apps. E-ink devices definitely can't run videos, at least for now.

12-31-2012, 03:55 PM	#11
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Not so; there are "notepad" apps available for the Kindle.

12-31-2012, 08:27 PM	#15
booklover6 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,545 Karma: 14008730 Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA (USA) Device: Kobo Clara, 2E, Libre 1, PW4, PW5, 2022 Kindle, Kobo Libre Colour	This is active content for the PW My Checklist