| Last week Amazon and Microsoft signed a patent | | | | competition between the Kindle and iPad, but Apple's |
| cross-licensing deal last week. Currently, the Kindle | | | | creation will take some of the market away. |
| uses the Linux OS. Did Amazon enter this deal with | | | | Perhaps Amazon has a Kindle tablet in the works. |
| Microsoft to replace Linux OS? If that is the case, it | | | | Imagine a device that will use new screen |
| truly could change the foundation for Amazon, and | | | | technologies, not E Ink or LCD, but maybe Mirasol. It |
| revolutionize the Kindle into an altogether different | | | | will have stronger embedded CPUs much like the |
| yet powerful device. | | | | ones utilized in smartphones. If this is the case, a |
| Tightly under wraps, the details of the agreement | | | | very advanced OS would be needed to manage this |
| are unknown as well as the cost or purpose, but | | | | type of device. Microsoft's OS could handle it. |
| speculation emerged amongst the Open Source and | | | | Continuing on with the creation of the "Kindle Tablet", |
| Free Software community. Is Amazon going to phase | | | | imagine a Windows 7 Phone Series device that has a |
| out the Linux OS and replace it with the Microsoft | | | | vibrant 10.1 inch screen, a wireless network, |
| OS in the Kindle and server infrastructure? | | | | Microsoft's Zune/Amazon MP3 music service and |
| Maybe that is the plan with this agreement. Amazon | | | | access to the Kindle bookstore. All of this with |
| is a powerhouse in the ebook reader market. | | | | Microsoft as the foundation. No doubt, this dream |
| Although, Amazon hasn't released any sales figures | | | | machine will compete with the iPad, and any |
| for the Kindle 2 or Kindle DX gadgets yet, the | | | | upcoming gadget that enters the market. |
| shipping volumes are high. Additionally, Amazon's | | | | With the success of the Kindle products, Amazon |
| success can be attributed on the Kindle Store | | | | isn't going to get booted out of the ebook reader |
| selections and prices even though the new agency | | | | market anytime soon. Amazon is a pioneer and has |
| model may dent that a bit. | | | | changed the way we bought books in 1995 with the |
| So now the question is, what is Amazon going to do | | | | launch of their website. In fact, with a deal with |
| to stay in the gadget game? With the release of the | | | | Microsoft, they may continue to dominate the |
| iPad and its apps and content, Linux and Java UI | | | | ereader market with a new product. |
| won't compete. Some have said that there is no | | | | |