Amazon Releases Software For Reading Books on iPhone
Amazon.com is releasing software for the iPhone that lets people read electronic books on the iPhone as well as download and purchase books from Amazon.com's Kindle store.
Amazon's software application, which can be downloaded free of charge, allows iPhone and iPod Touch users to read books or periodicals purchased on the Web or through their dedicated Kindle device, usually for $9.99. Using a service that Amazon calls whispersync, the program keeps track of a readers' latest page in any given book across both a Kindle and iPhone.
"There are times when you're going to be in a place where you happen to have your iPhone but not your Kindle," said Ian Freed, an Amazon vice president. "If I get stuck in line at the grocery store, I can pick up where I was reading with my iPhone."
Amazon.com's Kindle reader is a device that lets people read electronic books downloaded from its Kindle store. Amazon's Kindle for iPhone software will extend the technology to the iPhone. However, Amazon is not worried the iPhone will hurt Kindle sales. The WSJ says Amazon expects that "users of the iPhone application would read their books for 20 to 30 minutes at most, after which eye strain or battery life might become a problem."
Amazon.com's software will compete against rival iPhone apps for reading books on the iPhone including Shortcovers and Iceberg. Appshopper has a description of Amazon's new iPhone app here. You can also read more about it here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here.
Amazon.com is 
