Prince McLean
The existing, free Kindle app in the App Store is now universal, meaning that it can be downloaded and used on either the handheld iPhone or iPod touch, or the larger form factor iPad, where it has been optimized to present the company's library of 450,000 ebook titles.
Amazon's new iPad version of the app (below) competes with Apple's own new iBooks app for iPad, which is not yet available for the company's small screen devices.
Apple's iBooks app is not bundled on the iPad, leveling the playing field for third party competitors in a novel way. The company has been criticized for implying to developers that they should not bother to submit apps that replace the functionality of core bundled apps, an issue at the heart of the Google Voice controversy.
Ten days ago, Opera tested the limits of Apple's approval policies when it submitted an iPhone version of its Opera Mini browser, which technically replaces Mobile Safari for web browsing, but does so using a quick and novel but SSL security impaired proxy mechanism. The app has not yet been approved or rejected.
Separately, Netflix has noted on its blog that interest in its new iPad app for watching Instant Streaming videos was also piquing the curiosity of subscribers about a small screen version.
"For those of you asking whether Netflix will be on the iPhone and iPod Touch: We wouldn't invite you to dinner without planning to serve dessert. In other words, we're working on it so stay tuned," wrote Steve Swasey, VP of Corporate Communications.
Marko Zivkovic
Wesley Hilliard
Malcolm Owen
Christine McKee
Andrew O'Hara
25 Comments
Might wanna put the right screen shot in for the netflix app... It seems you've got the ABC app up in its place.
I have a wait-and-see attitude about new products and their potential impact. But I would say, if it is true that a Kindle app and a Netflix app will be available on the iPad, that impresses me a great deal.
Amazon's Kindle program is also available on the Mac, unlike the iBookStore content.
Netflix also is available to stream to a Mac, requires installing Silverlight.Thing about Netflix is there is a lot of content able to be streamed, but some stuff is only available via DVD's in the snails mail.Real cross pollination will occur when Apple allows App Store apps to run in Dashboard with a slight UI change to accommodate the cursor OS.
And the next issue of MacBook Pro's should have optional GPS.
Might wanna put the right screen shot in for the netflix app... It seems you've got the ABC app up in its place.
If you're going to quote Prince in your signature at least give the man credit with a "- Prince" or similar.
I have a wait-and-see attitude about new products and their potential impact. But I would say, if it is true that a Kindle app and a Netflix app will be available on the iPad, that impresses me a great deal.
Why would you say "if it is true" when they are already in the iTunes iPad app store? You can buy 'em now.
Hope this shuts up those who were quick to complain and question why there was/is no Netflix app for the iPhone. Geezz - folks sure are quick to complain about something at launch without waiting to see how it pans out and is even released. Also, shuts up those complaining about iBooks pricing and Apple forcing their products and pricing down consumers throats. Again - "Geeezzzz!!!!!"
So Apple allows Amazon Kindle books on the iPad. Does this mean Amazon will let Apple iBooks on the Kindle? No, I don't think it does. Will anyone give Amazon crap for this? No. Why not? Because you only get crap for "locking people into your eco-system" when you make desirable hardware.