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Developers and manufacturers are still exploring the potential of eBook readers when it comes to content and applications that can be accommodated by such devices. Amazon has announced that a limited beta version of the Kindle Development Kit for active content will be made available for content creators by February 2010.

The KDK contains documentation, sample code and the Kindle Simulator. The last mentioned will allow developers to create and test their content by simulating the 6” and 9.7” Kindle DX on PC, Mac and Linux desktops. Those wishing to participate are required to submit their e-mail addresses at the Amazon website and will receive a notification when the limited beta commences.

Active content is priced in three ways by the company. Applications that are smaller than 1MB and utilize below 100KB per user per month of wireless data can be extended free of cost to customers. Content having under 100KB per user each month of ongoing wireless usage may be sold as a one-time purchase to patrons. Active content can also be priced on a monthly subscription basis.

Active content applications have been restricted to an upper size limit of 100MB. Those above 10MB must be downloaded from the Kindle Store to the user’s PC and then transferred to his Kindle through USB. 70% of user revenue will go to the developer, while the remaining amount net of delivery fees of $0.15/MB will be retained by Amazon.

Developers have been noted against providing VoIP functionality, advertising, offering generic readers, unauthorized collection of customer information and so on by Amazon as part of their developer guidelines for the Kindle Development Kit. It was in November 2009 that Amazon declared the Kindle eBook readers to be their best selling product across all categories and developers have been extended an opportunity to reap lucrative gains from the rising popularity of this device.