As per the latest media reports, Amazon is all set to open up the Kindle e-reader to third party developers. This will enable the developers to run applications or "active content" (as referred by Amazon) on the device.

The kind of apps that could be run in the low-fi Kindle are, interactive books, travel guides with locations data, RSS readers and anything that brings text to the device, like magazine and newspaper subscription.

The revenue split is the key, as Amazon takes a huge chunk as of now, of the selling price of Kindle e-books. Under the terms of the new Kindle Development Kit (KDK), there would be a 70:30 split, of which the developer will acquire the larger part.

With the help of "active content", there is a chance for the Kindle to be more convincing, particularly against other e-readers, even when it will also make the Kindle more distracting.

"The KDK allows the use of the wireless 3G connection. If the application uses less than 100KB per month, the bandwidth comes for free. If it uses more, there is a charge of $0.15 per MB which can (and surely will) be passed on to the customer as a monthly charge," said a source close to the development.