Kindle Fire Silk browser ported to other Android devices: Theft?
Summary: The porting of the Kindle Fire Silk browser to non-Amazon hardware raises the question -- is this theft?
Amazon made a big deal about its Silk browser included on the Kindle Fire, claiming it would speed up web browsing on the Fire. My experience with the browser backs up that claim when connected to the web via a slow connection, but otherwise it is much like other Android browser variants. The homebrew community didn't like the fact that the Silk browser was restricted to the Kindle Fire, and have now ported it to other Android devices. That raises the question -- isn't that stealing the app?
The beauty of Android is how open it is, and how most companies involved let users do pretty much what they want with the software. I'm not sure that applies to the Silk browser, which is developed by Amazon strictly for the Kindle Fire. Porting it to non-Amazon hardware seems to fly in the face of doing what is right. It almost seems like outright theft of proprietary software.
The argument will be made that Amazon is not losing anything since Silk carries no extra cost to Fire owners, but that's pretty weak. Everything has a cost to develop, and this is no different. Since the Silk browser uses Amazon servers to dish out web pages faster than normal, there is an actual cost to the company for every illicit copy in use.
Android may be open but that doesn't mean folks can just take any app on the platform willy-nilly. It seems there is an ethical boundary that has been crossed with this Silk browser port. What do you think? Should any free app on Android devices be fair game to take and put on devices they aren't intended to be run on? Leave a comment and let me know.
See also:
- Kindle Fire is on the way, but not for me
- Nook Tablet already in stores: Let the cheap tablet war begin!
- Amazon’s Kindle Fire: Snappy consumption, impulse purchase device
- Kindle Fire besting Nook Tablet with more third-party partners
- Kindle Fire vs. iPad heats up for holiday shoppers (survey)
- Amazon Kindle, B&N Nook duel plays out on retail shelves
- New Nook Tablet has a shot against Kindle Fire
- Amazon’s Kindle Fire economics: A focus on lifetime value of customer
- Amazon’s latest Prime gambit: Kindle book lending
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Talkback
RE: Kindle Fire Silk browser ported to other Android devices: Theft?
RE: Kindle Fire Silk browser ported to other Android devices: Theft?
That's right. Strictly speaking, "stealing" software (or any other digital media) isn't actually stealing, because the original still exists. Some use the term "piracy" but of course, this isn't really accurate, either. What it is is copyright infringement.
And it is illegal.
RE: Kindle Fire Silk browser ported to other Android devices: Theft?
I don't think so. If it's open source, so you're entitled to what you want with it - you can even take it apart and reassemble it into something else. Have you seen any statements from Amazon reserving rights? If no rights are reserved, or it's published as open source, then likely they're not restricting you in any way.
RE: Kindle Fire Silk browser ported to other Android devices: Theft?
RE: Kindle Fire Silk browser ported to other Android devices: Theft?
RE: Kindle Fire Silk browser ported to other Android devices: Theft?
The problem in this is not what it costs to develop, but what it costs to maintain. Silk uses a server farm to speed up the user experience, and that's not free.
On the other hand, Amazon could just use this as a great marketing tool. They have something most people want, and they can use it as a means to push amazon into your phone. I seriously hope Amazon doesn't go on a blocking spree for silk. That'd hurt them way more than simply releasing it themselves.
RE: Kindle Fire Silk browser ported to other Android devices: Theft?
If they [i]want[/i] to give it away, that's up to them. This is copyright infringement, plain and simple.
RE: Kindle Fire Silk browser ported to other Android devices: Theft?
RE: Kindle Fire Silk browser ported to other Android devices: Theft?
RE: Kindle Fire Silk browser ported to other Android devices: Theft?
Line crossed ...
I'd be OK with the port if it linked to a cloud service provided by the developer.
If you can't take the heat of modding & hacking
Android is an open platform, love it or leave it.
I left it
And I love being gone.
RE: Kindle Fire Silk browser ported to other Android devices: Theft?
Depends
Maybe if you would do your due diligence as a responsible media type and enlighten us as to the license we would be better prepared to respond.
here
"Subject to your compliance with the terms of the Agreement, Amazon grants you a non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, limited license to install and use the Software on your computer or device in accordance with the Agreement and any applicable law or regulation in the relevant jurisdictions (including any laws regarding the export of data or software to and from the United State or other relevant countries). You may not make copies of or distribute the Software or electronically transfer the Software from one device to another or over a network. Except and only to the extent expressly permitted under applicable law, you may not, and may not encourage, assist, or authorize any other person to, modify, reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the Software, in whole or in part; create any derivative work from or of the Software; or bypass, modify, defeat or tamper with or circumvent any of the functions or protections of the Software. Unless Amazon has given you specific written permission to do so, you may not sublicense, assign, or otherwise transfer the Software or your rights to use the Software. All rights not expressly granted in the Agreement are reserved by Amazon and its affiliates."
"An open source software license applies to certain components of the Software and will govern in the event of a conflict with this Agreement. For more information about the open source software components, see the legal notices section of your device or Amazon Silk browser."
RE: Kindle Fire Silk browser ported to other Android devices: Theft?
And the answer seems clear: "piracy".
RE: Kindle Fire Silk browser ported to other Android devices: Theft?
Well, there you have it. It's open source and you're free to do what you like with it. Open source prevents anyone from trying to restrict any part of the package. If some of it is open source, then _ALL_ of it is open source. Go for it!
But
Also
"In accordance with certain free and open source software licenses, Amazon is pleased to make available to you for download an archive file of machine readable source code ("Source Code")."
You walled garden serfs better hold off on your rants until we know what the deal is here.