Amazon launches Kindle for the Web

Posted on 29 Sep 2010 at 10:32

Amazon has continued its push into the eReader market with the launch of a browser-based Kindle program that requires no installation.

Designed to offer Kindle owners an easy way to preview eBooks in their web browser, the aptly-named "Kindle for the Web" loads books from the Kindle Store in a specially-designed interface which uses the power of modern web browsers to offer an easy way to preview content before buying an eBook.

Dorothy Nicholls, director of Amazon's Kindle department, claimed that the new software makes it "easier than ever for customers to sample Kindle books - there's no downloading or installation required."

Nicholls is also hoping that the new software will spread the Kindle brand beyond Amazon's own sites, thanks to a system which allows the software to be embedded in third-party websites described by Nicholls as "a great way for bloggers and authors to promote books on their websites by letting visitors read a chapter without leaving their site."

Those website owners who take Amazon up on the offer and sign up to the Kindle for the Web programme will be given referral fees on all books purchase through the interface.

The launch of Kindle for the Web comes just days after Amazon confirmed that it would be offering a Kindle app for Research In Motion's newly-announced BlackBerry PlayBook slate device - turning it into a Kindle-compatible eReader with wireless access to Amazon's Kindle Store and a high-resolution colour display.

Author: Gareth Halfacree

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