You may have heard that Amazon and Microsoft signed a patent cross-licensing deal last week. Currently, the Kindle uses Linux OS, but the question is will this deal open the “window” for Microsoft to take the place of Linux OS? This deal could change the future of how Amazon operates.
The deal is currently hush, hush, and the price-tag is left unknown in addition to any details about the purpose of the deal. Some of the Open Source and Free Software community are speculating that Amazon may soon transition from Linux to Microsoft’s OS in its devices like the Kindle, and even the server infrastructure.
To date, Amazon hasn’t given us any sales figures for the Kindle 2 and Kindle DX ereaders, but they have been shipping for the past two years and in high volumes. As Kindle owners, we know that Amazon’s success also lies with in the Kindle store because of the selection and prices — although, the new agency model may change that.
Because of Apple’s iPad, rich with apps and content, Amazon’s Linux and Java UI implementation won’t compete. The question is, what is Amazon going to create next in order to stay in the game? (Although in previous blogs, it has been mentioned that the iPad won’t be a huge threat to the Kindle because of the different markets of each gadget.)
Maybe a “next generation” Kindle is on the horizon. Imagine a device that will utilize new and upcoming screen technologies with stronger embedded CPUs like the ones used in smartphones. If this is the case, a very sophisticated OS is needed to manage this new device and Microsoft can assist with that.
More specifically, imagine a Windows 7 Phone Series device with a 10.1 inch screen with a wireless network, Microsoft’s Zune/Amazon MP3 music service, the Kindle bookstore with Microsoft’s developer as the foundation. This dream gadget could be a device that will no doubt compete with up and coming gadgets including the iPad.
Don’t forget that Amazon changed the way we bought books in 1995 by launching their website. With that success and the success of the Kindle, there is little reason to believe that Amazon is going to get kicked out of the ebook reader market, and in fact they may even create yet another product that will dominate the market just like the Amazon Kindle.