Amazon opened up its electronic bookstore to the Apple iPhone and iPod on Wednesday, less than a month after unveiling the latest generation of its popular e-book reader, the Kindle.
Amazon said a free software programme available from Apples App Store turns an iPhone or iPod touch into an electronic reader capable of reading books from the vast Kindle library of more than 240,000 titles.
"We are excited to bring the new Kindle application to Apples 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," he added. Amazon said its "Whispersync" feature allows a reader to save their place in a book regardless of the device they are using.
"Kindle customers can read a few pages on their iPhone or iPod touch and pick up right where they left off on their Kindle or Kindle 2," it said.