Amazon launches free Kindle app for Windows Phone 7
Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) is set to launch a Kindle application for Windows Phone 7. Kindle for Windows Phone 7 will be released later this year for free and is touted as the first major ebook application for Windows 7.
The application will also contain new built-in features such as personalized book recommendations and ability to send a book suggestion from any book in the Kindle library without exiting the application.
Like all Kindle applications, Kindle for Windows Phone 7 also allows Amazon customers to Buy Once, Read Everywhere, on Kindle, Kindle 3G, Kindle DX, iPad, iPod touch, iPhone, Mac, PC, BlackBerry, Android-based devices. The Buy Once, Read Everywhere feature will be available for on Windows Phone 7-based devices in the coming months.
Amazon Kindle Director Dorothy Nicholls:"When you buy a Kindle book, we make it easy for you to get your books on all of the devices you want to read on - your iPhone, iPad, Android-based device, PC, Mac, BlackBerry, and of course your Kindle, Kindle 3G and Kindle DX"
"Kindle for Windows Phone 7 extends our vision of 'Buy Once, Read Everywhere.' The app is optimized for the unique user interface of Windows Phone 7, and will include our Whispersync technology, so you always have your library with you and never lose your place in a book as you switch between devices."
Microsoft demonstrated Kindle for Windows Phone 7 during the annual Microsoft Professional Developers Conference today. Achim Berg, Mobile Communications Corporate Vice President Business at Microsoft Corp welcomed this new partnership with Amazon.
"We designed Windows Phone 7 to bring together a host of services and content -- from Microsoft and third parties -- in a way that seamlessly integrates the things you care about most, from movies to shopping and reading, and Amazon is key to delivering that experience to customers," said Mr. Berg.
The launch of Kindle application for Windows 7 has been widely anticipated since it was featured at the launched of Windows 7 by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.
At the launch, Ballmer said: "We now have a Kindle Reader that will be coming out in beta form in early November. They have created a Kindle app that gives you all of your content libraries from Kindle."
"Go ahead and open up Twilight here. And as you can see, it's a beautiful custom application. I can go right into there. As you can see, beautiful high-color pictures coming through on the service."
"I can resize it, I can play around with it all I want. So there you go, a great platform for our partners, taking advantage of touch in multiple different ways in Windows 7."
In the middle of October, Microsoft Australia has launched Windows Phone 7 in the Australia, with partnership with device manufactutrer HTC, LG and Samsung. The handsets are now available in Australia since October 21, 2010.
Telstra currently offers its customers two exclusive smartphones: the HTC 7 Mozart and the LG Optimus 7Q. Since October 21, the HTC 7 Mozart has been available to both consumer and business customers for $0 upfront on a $49 Cap Plan over 24 months. The LG Optimus 7Q is available for $0 upfront on a $79 Business Cap Plan.
In a press release, Telstra Chief Marketing Officer Kate McKenzie said: "Windows Phone 7 arrives at a time when Australians are embracing smartphones in record numbers. We think our customers will love the simplicity of Windows Phone 7 as well as its bold visual design."
With Windows 7 to contain a Kindle application, Australians will now enjoy the efficient simplicity of Kindle and Window 7 combined in the coming months.