It would be safe to assume that Amazon is looking to improve on the Kindle web browser. The evidence is in a recent job listing, which clearly indicated that the company is on the lookout for a Software Development Engineer for its ereader division known as Lab126. Here’s a look at the job posting in case you want to apply.
Overview:
Lab126 develops innovative consumer-centric product solutions. As a Software Development Engineer you will engage with an experienced cross-disciplinary staff to conceive, design and bring to market innovative consumer products. You must be responsive, flexible and able to succeed within an open collaborative peer environment. The Web Browser team is responsible to provide an innovative Embedded Web Browser.
Job Functions:
• Design and implement new features on the Browser.
• Support and maintain the implementations of the current Browser.
• Preparation of technical requirements, software design specifications and other forms of documentation.
Requirements:
• Bachelors Degree in Computer Science or related field. Master’s Degree is a plus.
• 3+ years of experience in software development in Java.
• Familiarity with current Web standards.
• Experience working with Browser Engines.
• Experience with embedded devices on Linux.
• A proven ability to deliver high quality work on tight schedules.
Lab126 develops innovative consumer-centric product solutions and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Amazon.com.
Kindle to Compete with iPad?
With this info tidbit, and Amazon’s February 3rd purchase of Touchco, a company that created a multi-touch technology, it sounds as though Amazon is on a mission to create a next-generation Kindle. This Kindle will have an expanded feature set that will hold the market like the earlier Kindle models. Amazon hasn’t commented on the posting, and doesn’t talk about its jobs outside of the actual listing, so we will have to wait and see.
A Freescale Semiconductor representative commented that the Kindle and iPad don’t necessarily share the same market. Freescale Semiconductor is the company that creates the chips for ereaders. Freescale Semiconductor consumer marketing director, Glen Burchers argues that both can exist without “killing” each other.
The iPad is a multi-tasking gadget that offers ereading, but it was also designed for web browsing, emails and media playing. It is marketed towards young web users, more specifically students who spend most of their time online and on their phone. Although we see young users in the ebook reader market like the Kindle, it is generally has more appeal to the older market.
Again as mentioned in previous blogs on the topic, some consumers simply want to read their ebook without interruptions, and wouldn’t purchase an iPad because of its extensive feature set. The point is, Amazon is simply doing its job by creating a next generation Kindle and improving the technology in order to on top of the industry. It is interesting how we consumers tend to “jump on” any bit of information, and instantly revert to the Kindle vs. iPad battle.