Requirements for getting a Kindle Development Kit

Question

How focused a project proposal is required to gain access to a Kindle Development Kit?

From Amazon's Request Access page:

Briefly describe the active content applications you intend to build on Kindle

I don't have a project spec yet, I just want to explore and experiment. I thought about putting that as my description, but I don't want to be denied because my project wasn't fleshed out enough.

What types of applications have people described that have gained them access to the KDK? Has anyone been denied access because of a "bad" proposal? About how long did it take to hear back from Amazon?

Answer 1

It makes sense to think about the motivations of Amazon and how that would restrict what they would allow. For instance:

• They would like to make lots on money.
  • Proposing a way of selling lots of copies of your app, or proposing a very marketable app would make them like you.
  • Any apps that could bypass their revenue sources wouldn't be allowed. For instance file-sharing, or free ebook type apps.
• They don't want it hacked.
  • Although it possible has been, Amazon won't allow you to create Apps that could become a security vulnerablility.

I general, you should write your proposal as a developer with good faith, outlining your idea and showing you have took Amazon's revenue protection into account, or that your going to make lots of money, or present something usefull for their users.

Also, I wouldn't suggest anything that would obviously put to much strain on the Kindle. I think anything more intensive than solitaire is a no no.

Answer 2

My proposal was something like "I want to make a Reddit app which could do x, y, and z, or maybe something for note-taking." Not much detail, but they actually corresponded with me and asked me if there was anything in particular I would need, how soon I could start, etc. It was an easy process.

Answer 3

I applied four different times and finally got approved more than 7 months after my first try, and just over a month after my fourth attempt. My first attempt was very specific and listed several projects, but my later attempts were increasingly generic and less impressive-sounding as I became less and less enthusiastic. I think for my fourth attempt I just said I wanted to make a game and didn't go into any detail. I'm pretty sure that was the one that got me in, and my earlier attempts were rejected.

The only correspondence I received in relation to my applications received were the four, "Thanks for applying; we'll keep in touch," e-mails and the eventual, "Welcome to the program!" e-mail.

Keep in mind that you, as the developer, have to pay for your app's data consumption. Above all, I would recommend not being too specific and not trying to make your project sound too ambitious. If you don't hear back within a month or so, try again.

Answer 4

I tried two times to get the KDK and both times Amazone never answered after the short e-mail which confirmed that they will check my request. I was waiting for acceptance or rejection for more than a year.

I finaly jailbroke my kindle and will now try to develop for it without the KDK.

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I followed the instruction how to create an Kindle app found on this web site: http://cowlark.com/kindle/getting-started.html

Answer 5

I had a similar experience to some described here. I applied twice, got a robot answer saying Amazon would look at it, and they never did.