Amazon’s Silk browser may just be the true difference maker in the tablet war. It may also be the straw that broke the camel’s back.
The Silk browser is unique in its raw efficiency but also in the amount of data Amazon can aggregate from the user. Since most of the user’s activity is basically stored on Amazon’s cloud servers, customer’s activity is tracked from where you log in to what site you visit.
This gives Amazon a better consumer footprint. It allows Amazon to track your behavior precisely to understand your behavior and consequently your buying tendencies. Sounds very big brother-ish. Well, Google, Yahoo, and Bing have been doing this for quite some time.
Don’t believe me?
Here is a basic disclosure for Google:
“When visiting a website, the IP address used to access the site will be logged along with the dates and times of access. This information is purely used to analyze trends, administer the site, track users movement and gather broad demographic information for internal use. Most importantly, any recorded IP addresses are not linked to personally identifiable information. But Google still uses general tendencies by the IP address user.”
Even if you don’t have a large footprint on social media sites you already are tracked via your ISP (Internet Service Provider) – mobile or land networks.
Sure it tracks your behavior. Sure it violates your privacy. And SURE you continue to use it. Why? Efficiency! Everyone does it. Hate to be trivial but it’s true. Just opt out when you can just like you did with Google, Yahoo, or Bing.
Disclosures out of the way, there are products and services the silk browsers will spawn.
Here are a couple of game changing developments possible for the Silk browser.
Split functionality with most processing done by the cloud server. This is what really differentiates Amazon’s Kindle Fire from all other beasts. Ipad. Now, Nook’s tablet. Here is how Amazon could leverage this service.
Bundling strategy. Low end devices – low price $100 to $150 for let’s say a year of free broadband. Compress the data through the cloud servers and do all the work on the backend. This could inspire a whole line of services with inexpensive front end devices connecting the user with movies, phone, broadband, and a range of other services.
You could get everything from one source. No need to even get basic cable with possible new developments. Now, this could be far in the horizon but these are possibilities if Amazon can monetize it and sell additional products through each service.
Dream Versus Reality
While it’s fun to dream, all the possible products aren’t here yet. Reality. Amazon isn’t offering Silk Browser for every device. Maybe this is a good thing.
Why? Amazon offers responsive software and supports to the devices that feature it currently (mainly the upcoming Kindle Fire).
Here is what Kindle Fire can accomplish, good and bad, through it’s competitive dual functioning browser.
Increases speed
Reduces the bandwidth requirement.
Enables faster memory/loading speeds based upon your past behaviors… predictive software.
Who cares if Nook’s tablet has twice the processing speed?
Increases privacy issues
Tracks personal and behavior information
Aggregates too much info in one place
Highly targeted advertising (if you like their products then this could be just fine for you)
-Already happening. Security issues are present in even 3rd party that use information gleaned from your behavior on google, Facebook and other social media networks and compile consumer profiles based upon your current behavior.
Trackable Behavior And What To Do
Your behavior and habits will transit/go through Amazon cloud. Carefully read Terms and Conditions of the browser. Opt out when you can if it bugs you they will serve targeting product ads to you. Don’t surf on sites you think they will remember and embarrass you with specific ads based upon sites you just visited.
Silk browser is the crucial link to bringing functionality, targeted marketing, and speed all together. Be informed and you’ll be fine!