Amazon previews Kindle iPad app

While I'm concerned that Apple will indeed block these apps from release, I see it as a huge mistake and PR nightmare for them if they do. The halo effect from being able to tout the iPad as the ONLY current device that supports all popular eBook formats (AND COLOR too!) has to be worth all of the potential lost sales combined.

Apple should focus their efforts on delivering a really diverse assortment of titles and subjects in their bookstore, and cater to the strengths of the iPad (titles with lots of imagery, photo books, graphic novels/manga, etc...) instead of just rehashing the NYT bestseller list like everyone else. The iPad isn't going to sell by delivering the same experience as all the other e-readers, it's going to sell by delivering more than what the competition can.

If Apple needs to justify it to themselves as to why to allow these apps, they can always spin it as they allow a specific type of file (since B&N and Amazon both use proprietary file formats) which would otherwise be unsupported.

I'm hoping Apple doesn't need justification and are smart enough to see a windfall when it presents itself.

In terms of wish fulfillment, here's what I'd really like to see on the iPad - I want something visually exciting and unique, something that would be the 2010 equivalents of what Mondo 2000 and Ray Gun were back in the 90's. I want a window into the future, and not just another one into the world around me. I'm hoping the people of vision are fast at work putting the finishing touches on something just like what I'm thinking of. I'm looking at you, David Carson.

"and indeed Amazon has begun giving away its own Kindle hardware to its Amazon Prime subscribers to secure Kindle book sales."

This just isn't true. The link tied to it says they've debated it but not that they are doing. I know lots of people with prime memberships and no kindle. Otherwise sign me up.

Why do so many book reader apps simulate flipping pages? Flipping from one page to the next is not the ideal way to continue reading a story. if it were, all our web browsers would work that way. It's merely a limitation of the technology (ink on stacks of paper) we are used to.

If Apple things flipping pages is the right way to access the next pile of words in a book, then perhaps the best way to skip tracks on an iPod is to simulate lifting a stylus and dropping it in the gap between tracks. Get it wrong and the song will have a scratch in it for as long as you have that file.

As an imminent producer of Kindle ebooks, I'd say this is great news. It also creates some interesting dilemmas, because images for Kindle books need to be optimzed for grayscale display, i.e. high-contrast, etc. I think it's wonderful that these same books could have color images on the iPad, and since I'd put my money on Apple, I don't think I'll spend too much time worrying about *current* Kindle image requirements.

E-ink or not, people are going to want color.

This looks great!

I'm excited that Amazon is substantially upgrading its reading software for tablets. It lacks just a little of Apple's fit and finish, but it looks like a strong product overall.

I think Apple will allow the Kindle app to be available on the iPad.

1. Apple is not including iBooks with iPads; it will be an optional free download. So it will not argue that Kindle duplicates iPad's built-in functionality.

2. Apple has allowed the Kindle app on iPhone, along w/ countless individual book applications and several readers (Stanza, Classics, etc.), all of which are expected to work "out of the box" on the iPad upon release.

3. Because the selling point of iPad is its ability to run iPhone apps, I don't suppose Apple will have drastically different policies toward iPad apps as compared to iPhone apps.

4. Jobs had kind words about Amazon during the iPad's introduction. And, let's face it, it's unusual for Jobs to have nice words for the competition. It probably signals a belief that more people will buy iPads if they can use them to read their existing Kindle book collections, and it is iPads--not eBooks--that Jobs wants to sell most.

What Apple will restrict--and Amazon likely work around--is in-app purchase of Amazon books. Apple requires a 30% cut of in-app sales, and Amazon will not want to pay that (nor could they afford to be competitive w/ Apple if they did so). They will probably do what they do with the iPhone app, which is to drive sales to an optimized web site that launches within the app.

5. Apple's lawyers should be aware of potential competitiveness/anti-trust concerns w/ excluding competitive . I do not think this is the driving concern, but it could be a factor as Apple products continue to build market power.

You write that "Amazon has begun giving away its own Kindle hardware to its Amazon Prime subscribers to secure Kindle book sales."

Is that true though? The link takes you to a Tech Crunch article that reports on a rumor that they're trying to do this, but first they have to figure out how to pay for it.

As an Amazon Prime subscriber, I desperately want this to be true, but until it is, should you be promoting this rumor as fact?

Glad to see this. iPad is my portable device of choice but their bookstore doesn't have to be. I use Amazon MP3 and iTMS equally depending on price/availability and this would let me do the same thing.

Apple would risk the beat down if they don't allow this app. That could be a clear anti-competitive issue unlike some of the other stuff they do.

"We're sorry. Your app, "Kindle for iPad" has been rejected because it duplicates functionality already provided by Apple. Take care."

Regarding the Wil Shipley comment, if you're giving credit you should give it where it's due. Mike Matas created the Delicious Monster UI as well as the one for Time Machine. Matas has been involved with a ton of Apple software we use every day. Just google Matas UI.

FearlessFreep... you forget... the reason Apple made the iBooks app available via download from the app store is so users can choose. So the kindle app is not duplicating a built in app function.. there for it will be approved!