Amazon is to open up the Kindle e-reader to third party developers in a bid to get “active content”, to run on the gizmo.

While it is unlikely to have games developed it paves the way for  interactive books, travel guides with locations data, and RSS readers. Many feel this is an attempt to see off the Apple tablet which will be able to read e-books.

However while the screen might be flat, the Apple tablet will not use epaper which means it will be as hard to read as a normal computer. However it does indicate that Amazon knows that the use of its eReader needs to be expanded.  It also knows it needs outside help to do this.

We expect that Amazon will release its own version of the App store soon too.