TechFlash covers the news that Microsoft and Amazon have struck a patent licensing deal that includes Kindle and Linux -
Microsoft says the deal grants Amazon patent-related “coverage” for its use of open-source and proprietary technologies in its Kindle e-reader, and its use of Linux-based computer servers.
It’s very interesting news because -
- It involves Amazon paying Microsoft some money.
- It’s probably implicit endorsement of Microsoft’s claims that Linux violates some of its patents (have no knowledge of this and no opinion on this).
- It opens up a lot patents for the two companies to play around with.
- It opens up the possibility of products built off of patents from both companies.
- It might mean Microsoft takes a shot at something using Kindle technology or the Kindle Store.
The last possibility is obviously the most interesting.
Is there a Kindle Pad from Microsoft in the offing?
Unfortunately, it’s rather unlikely.
Tech Flash did think of the potential of Microsoft and Amazon leveraging each other’s technologies -
We’ve asked whether Microsoft and Amazon will actively review each other’s patent portfolios in search of new technologies to incorporate into their products, as a result of the deal, and we’ll update this post depending on the response
Even if they were thinking of using each other’s technologies they wouldn’t talk about it.
The Kindle probably doesn’t interest Microsoft much – It has Xbox, Surface, and more for hardware and it’s obviously not looking for software.
Microsoft is probably much more interested in Amazon’s Cloud technology and how Amazon scale up their servers and websites. It might also be very interested in getting Kindle for Windows Phone 7 Series.
Microsoft building a whole device using Kindle technology is rather unlikely.
What Microsoft technology might Amazon benefit from?
There are a huge number of Microsoft technologies that Amazon could leverage into the Kindle -
- Microsoft Surface and Windows 7 multi-touch.
- Microsoft Speech Recognition.
- Lots of great stuff at Microsoft Research.
- Technology from Microsoft’s Peripherals Division (mouse and keyboard technologies).
- Xbox technology especially Xbox Live.
- The latest Zune and the new Windows Phone 7 series will have a lot to offer.
Additionally Microsoft is doing some book scanning projects which it can open up for the Kindle. In fact, it had previously announced that a ton of public domain books from the British Library would be made available for the Kindle in Spring.
We might very well see both Amazon and Microsoft spring some surprises built on each other’s technologies. Sadly, the Kindle will probably not be invited to the party.
Filed under: news Tagged: | amazon microsoft, kindle microsoft
