Kindle Fire Developers Can Now Send Push Notifications To Users

One of the benefits of building apps for Android and iOS is that developers can use push notifications as a way of keeping users engaged. A game can remind players of a special in-game event, or a din...
Kindle Fire Developers Can Now Send Push Notifications To Users
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  • One of the benefits of building apps for Android and iOS is that developers can use push notifications as a way of keeping users engaged. A game can remind players of a special in-game event, or a dining app can remind users that their favorite restaurant is offering discounts. These kind of messages will now be available on Kindle Fire through the Amazon Device Messaging API.

    Amazon announced today that its Device Messaging API has now entered a closed beta. The API will let developers send push notifications to users in an attempt to drive use and monetization. The API has three core features that Amazon thinks will entice developers into implementing it into their apps:

  • Simple. Amazon Device Messaging is a transport mechanism, optimized to queue your messages and deliver them to a targeted instance of your app. For example, upon receiving a message, your app might post a notification, display a custom user interface, or sync data.
  • Efficient. Amazon Device Messaging respects users’ battery life, so you can, too. Using the Amazon Device Messaging service allows your app to avoid performing polling, a serious battery drain, while not requiring additional power to stay connected —a benefit your users will appreciate.
  • Free. In addition to providing a best-in-class payload size of up to 6KB per message, Amazon Device Messaging is available at no cost to developers.
  • It’s noted that Amazon Device Messaging only works on the Kindle Fire HD and second generation Kindle Fire devices. There’s no word on if Amazon is planning to bring push notifications to first generation Kindle Fires, but it’s probably not going to happen.

    Interested developers can sign up for the beta here. We’ll keep you posted on when the API becomes available for all.

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