Amazon brings Kindle eBook library to the iPhone
On the same day that AppleInsider has published its review of the Kindle 2, Amazon is spreading its e-book library beyond its proprietary digital reader to Apple's handheld devices with a new Kindle app that's available for download from the App Store.
Early last month Amazon dropped hints that its Kindle-formatted e-books would soon become available on a range of mobile phones, leading to speculation that the iPhone and iPod touch could be included. Wednesday's announcement means Amazon has joined Google's Book Search in the iPhone marketplace.
"We are excited to bring the new Kindle application to Apple's App Store and think customers are going to love how easy and fun it is to read their Kindle books on the iPhone and iPod touch," said Amazon Kindle vice president Ian Freed. "Kindle for iPhone and iPod touch is a great way for customers to catch up on their current book wherever they are, like in line at the grocery store or between meetings."
Like on the Kindle device itself, the iPhone app (App Store link) lets users add bookmarks and adjust the text size of digital books. Amazon says it will also allow iPhone owners to "view notes and highlights" that were created on the Kindle. Unfortunately, annotations cannot be created on the app.
Since all purchased Kindle books are linked to an Amazon account, users of the iPhone app must purchase new ebook titles through Amazon.com using a web browser, or make purchases directly on the Kindle. Those titles can then be pulled into the Kindle iPhone app the next time it's launched. In all, Amazon advocates "hundreds of thousands" of ebooks to choose from.
The app uses Amazon's Whispersync technology, meaning the place where the reader stopped is automatically synced to every device. This allows Kindle customers to read a few pages on their iPhone or iPod touch and then pick up right where they left off on their Kindle or Kindle 2.
The online retailer is hoping the app might lead to more sales of its new Kindle 2 device, which was updated last month (and reviewed today in depth by AppleInsider's Prince McLean).
This intention to sell more Kindles is made clear on the App Store description: "Books you purchase can also be read on Kindle and Kindle 2, Amazon's portable readers that wirelessly download books, newspapers, magazines and blogs to a crisp, high-resolution 6-inch electronic-paper display that looks and reads like real paper."
According to the AP, Freed sees the app as a way to introduce non-Kindle owners to the device while at the same time giving Kindle owners another way to read their content.
He said Amazon has been working on the app for several months. One advantage the iPhone has over the Kindle is books intended to be seen in color can be displayed that way. The Kindle's screen is capable of only showing only 16 shades of gray.
On the other hand, the iPhone version lacks text-to-speech and the larger Kindle screen. The iPhone and iPod touch are the first mobile devices to get Kindle access.
Early last month Amazon dropped hints that its Kindle-formatted e-books would soon become available on a range of mobile phones, leading to speculation that the iPhone and iPod touch could be included. Wednesday's announcement means Amazon has joined Google's Book Search in the iPhone marketplace.
"We are excited to bring the new Kindle application to Apple's App Store and think customers are going to love how easy and fun it is to read their Kindle books on the iPhone and iPod touch," said Amazon Kindle vice president Ian Freed. "Kindle for iPhone and iPod touch is a great way for customers to catch up on their current book wherever they are, like in line at the grocery store or between meetings."
Like on the Kindle device itself, the iPhone app (App Store link) lets users add bookmarks and adjust the text size of digital books. Amazon says it will also allow iPhone owners to "view notes and highlights" that were created on the Kindle. Unfortunately, annotations cannot be created on the app.
Since all purchased Kindle books are linked to an Amazon account, users of the iPhone app must purchase new ebook titles through Amazon.com using a web browser, or make purchases directly on the Kindle. Those titles can then be pulled into the Kindle iPhone app the next time it's launched. In all, Amazon advocates "hundreds of thousands" of ebooks to choose from.
The app uses Amazon's Whispersync technology, meaning the place where the reader stopped is automatically synced to every device. This allows Kindle customers to read a few pages on their iPhone or iPod touch and then pick up right where they left off on their Kindle or Kindle 2.
The online retailer is hoping the app might lead to more sales of its new Kindle 2 device, which was updated last month (and reviewed today in depth by AppleInsider's Prince McLean).
This intention to sell more Kindles is made clear on the App Store description: "Books you purchase can also be read on Kindle and Kindle 2, Amazon's portable readers that wirelessly download books, newspapers, magazines and blogs to a crisp, high-resolution 6-inch electronic-paper display that looks and reads like real paper."
According to the AP, Freed sees the app as a way to introduce non-Kindle owners to the device while at the same time giving Kindle owners another way to read their content.
He said Amazon has been working on the app for several months. One advantage the iPhone has over the Kindle is books intended to be seen in color can be displayed that way. The Kindle's screen is capable of only showing only 16 shades of gray.
On the other hand, the iPhone version lacks text-to-speech and the larger Kindle screen. The iPhone and iPod touch are the first mobile devices to get Kindle access.
Comments
I think Amazon Put a gun in there mouth and pulled the trigger when they released an iPhone version of the Kindle. So if I can download this app for FREE, and then just pay for my books from Amazon, whats the point of spending $200+ on a Kindle?
The iPhone is basically a kindle. BUT, with a better internet browser, e-mail, an iPod, and a cellphone all in one... and of course no E-ink.
I understand this is Amazons way of getting people to buy a Kindle. But, I think its too soon to put this App out on Apple's app store.
Let's face it. A Kindle still costs money to produce. An iPhone app is almost inexpensive, and an e-book is even cheaper than a CD. So they have little to invest and a huge market to grab. It's a no brainer.
jenk, I think you're missing the point. I don't think that Amazon is in the business of building "Kindles" for its own sake. They are building Kindles so that they can sell their e-books. And if they can do that freely to the iPhone users without having to convince them first to get a Kindle, that's a good thing, not a bad thing.
Let's face it. A Kindle still costs money to produce. An iPhone app is almost inexpensive, and an e-book is even cheaper than a CD. So they have little to invest and a huge market to grab. It's a no brainer.
So if They are not making money off of the Kindles, then whats the point in even selling them? If I recall, the Kindle 1 only had a half million sales come out from it. I am not a business man of any sorts but, I think Amazon lost money rather earned any profit from selling this device.
Please, don't think I am bashing the Kindle, because I am not. I am simply saying that I don't think Amazon should have started selling e-books on the iPhone first, with an app called Kindle. If that was successful, Then you go build your own Hardware. (and made it cheap)
Like I said in the comment area of the Kindle Review:
I think Amazon Put a gun in there mouth and pulled the trigger when they released an iPhone version of the Kindle. So if I can download this app for FREE, and then just pay for my books from Amazon, whats the point of spending $200+ on a Kindle?
The iPhone is basically a kindle. BUT, with a better internet browser, e-mail, an iPod, and a cellphone all in one... and of course no E-ink.
I understand this is Amazons way of getting people to buy a Kindle. But, I think its too soon to put this App out on Apple's app store.
It's the equivalent of Apple making an iTunes version for PC- it's all about penetration.
I see a large screen ipod in our future.
Hopefully in my lifetime.
It's the equivalernt of Apple making an iTunes version for PC- it's all about penetration.
and we all know anything that involves Windows sucks. Once again, i am not saying the iphone or kindle are not worth it.
iphone- is worth it
kindle- still not ready for the market
Downloading an iPhone app to read Kindle books : FREE.
Which would you choose?
Dan
Buying a Kindle from Amazon.com : $400.00
Downloading an iPhone app to read Kindle books : FREE.
Which would you choose?
Dan
If you're a serious reader- Buying a Kindle from Amazon.com for $359.
Reading a book on an iPhone is like watching "Lawrence of Arabia" on it- good not great.
So if They are not making money off of the Kindles, then whats the point in even selling them? If I recall, the Kindle 1 only had a half million sales come out from it. I am not a business man of any sorts but, I think Amazon lost money rather earned any profit from selling this device.
Please, don't think I am bashing the Kindle, because I am not. I am simply saying that I don't think Amazon should have started selling e-books on the iPhone first, with an app called Kindle. If that was successful, Then you go build your own Hardware. (and made it cheap)
I see this as the opposite business strategy from iTunes. Apple created the iTunes Store to promote sales of iPods. They aren't (or at least didn't) try to make a profit off the sale of content.
Amazon created the Kindle to promote sales of ebooks. They aren't trying to make a profit off the sales of hardware. If the sale of content is their primary goal, why should they care if the viewer is hardware they sell or software on an iPhone? The hardware they sell is just another way to sell content, in particular to the avid book readers who would want a bigger screen than the iPhone has.
I see this as the opposite business strategy from iTunes. Apple created the iTunes Store to promote sales of iPods. They aren't (or at least didn't) try to make a profit off the sale of content.
Amazon created the Kindle to promote sales of ebooks. They aren't trying to make a profit off the sales of hardware. If the sale of content is their primary goal, why should they care if the viewer is hardware they sell or software on an iPhone? The hardware they sell is just another way to sell content, in particular to the avid book readers who would want a bigger screen than the iPhone has.
Exactly right. Amazon stands to make much more money selling books than selling Kindles. Apple makes more money selling iPods than selling music. Both want to make money on both activities, but their priorities are opposite one another.
This is a good move for both Amazon and Apple (and leaves Sony and their cool Reader out in the cold).
If you're a serious reader- Buying a Kindle from Amazon.com for $359.
Reading a book on an iPhone is like watching "Lawrence of Arabia" on it- good not great.
I agree. I bought my wife a Kindle 1 for her b-day last year. We both use it. Definitely pricey, but convenience-wise it's great (i.e. can't sleep at 1:00 AM and looking for something to read is fixed instantly with it around). The main problem is that we only own 1 and occasionally that means one of us has to wait for the other to be finished with it.
However, we both have Iphones. Suddenly this means we now have effectively 3 kindles in the house, no lines no waiting, and everything synced up (I downloaded it a little while ago and it brought me right to the last page I had been previously reading).
Eye-strain wise I'll definitely choose the Kindle, but for out on the road and/or waiting for the other person to put it down, this is a great thing.
I see this app as nothing but win for Amazon.
So if They are not making money off of the Kindles, then whats the point in even selling them? If I recall, the Kindle 1 only had a half million sales come out from it. I am not a business man of any sorts but, I think Amazon lost money rather earned any profit from selling this device.
Please, don't think I am bashing the Kindle, because I am not. I am simply saying that I don't think Amazon should have started selling e-books on the iPhone first, with an app called Kindle. If that was successful, Then you go build your own Hardware. (and made it cheap)
Again... the device is what's called a 'loss leader'. If they lose a million a year selling Kindles, but make 10 million selling the books, they're successful... very successful.
Its the old model of giving away razors but selling the blades.
Buying a Kindle from Amazon.com : $400.00
Downloading an iPhone app to read Kindle books : FREE.
Which would you choose?
Dan
If you already have an iPhone, then yes, why buy a Kindle?
If not, then "Hey, if I buy an iPhone, I can get this FREE app to read books! What a deal!"
As previously noted, reading a book on either device is a completely diffferent experience.
Buying an iPhone from ATT/Apple : $199 + $70 a month for 24 months = $1879
Buying a Kindle from Amazon.com : $400.00
Different products, different markets.
Which would you choose?
If you're a serious reader- Buying a Kindle from Amazon.com for $359.
Reading a book on an iPhone is like watching "Lawrence of Arabia" on it- good not great.
Very good post.
Serious readers will have a Kindle. I do. We will also have our iPhones for those times we don't have our Kindle on us.
Amazon gets a cut from every ebook sale. That's the point to the iPhone App.
Buying a Kindle from Amazon.com : $400.00
Downloading an iPhone app to read Kindle books : FREE.
Which would you choose?
Dan
If I could buy the Kindle in the UK I would choose it over myiPhone or iPod touch for reading a book every time.
The iPhone screen is just too small and consumes too much power to be used for any kind of extended reading.
I like to read a book for 1-2 hours at a time, there is no way I would or could do that on the iPhone.
The Kindle screen is like reading paper, no flicker, no backlight, no eye strain.
For book reading the Kindle would win every time.
The iPhone is basically a kindle.
Sure, and a 17" TV is basically a 52" TV.
You see exactly the same programs after all.
Talk about people unclear on the concept!
U.S. only.
I think the same goes for Kindle. Even though the Internet is international, the rights for most books and media aren't, they're already split off by country.
Like I said in the comment area of the Kindle Review:
I think Amazon Put a gun in there mouth and pulled the trigger when they released an iPhone version of the Kindle. So if I can download this app for FREE, and then just pay for my books from Amazon, whats the point of spending $200+ on a Kindle?
The iPhone is basically a kindle. BUT, with a better internet browser, e-mail, an iPod, and a cellphone all in one... and of course no E-ink.
I understand this is Amazons way of getting people to buy a Kindle. But, I think its too soon to put this App out on Apple's app store.
You are missing something here. Amazon has to compete against the apps that offer books on the iPhone. While there is a lot of overlap between the people that have or might buy a Kindle and those that might buy or own an iPhone, I don't think this is a big problem. I think it's better to offer people what they want, within as reasonable time frame as feasible, rather than stall and maybe they'll jump to some other option.
Again... the device is what's called a 'loss leader'. If they lose a million a year selling Kindles, but make 10 million selling the books, they're successful... very successful.
Its the old model of giving away razors but selling the blades.
Exactly. And what happens when the customer realizes that they've spent a fair chunk of cash on ebooks with Amazon's DRM, but after spending a couple of hours sitting under a tree and reading an iPhone, has a dead battery and bloodshot eyes?
"So I can do this better for $359? I suppose that's worth considering."
In our bankrupt but utterly decadent, debt-driven society, considering pretty well means buying.