Today, Amazon has announced the
Kindle Cloud Reader, which lets you read your Kindle books on any computer (Mac/PC/Linux/Chromebook) or Apple Device (iOS4) that is running either Chrome or the Safari browser. I haven't tried it yet, but only because I need to install one or the other on my computer (links for both browsers are on the
Kindle Cloud Reader page. I'll let you know how it compares on the iPad to the Kindle App (which Apple has forced to remove links to "buy this book", if you upgrade to the latest version) and how it looks on the computer. I have installed it on the iPad (it sets up a 50MB database and installs an app for offline use, just like the older Kindle app).
I have sometimes used the Read First Chapter option on books that were also available as paper editions (you can't get to that option on the Kindle page itself, although you can now use Look Inside on Kindle books that have it on the paper edition, but Read First Chapter requires you to go to the paper edition first) and although I don't expect to use the app as a primary reader, it will be helpful if you want to look something up on a computer that has the right browser (and other browsers will be supported soon), but don't want to install Kindle for PC (or can't) and don't want the book to remain on the PC when you are done (library computers, for example).
Buy Once, Read Everywhere
- Instant access to your Kindle library
- Continue reading even when you lose your internet connection
- Optimized for iPad: shop the integrated Kindle Store for Tablets
Update #1:
Well, I have it installed on both my iPad and notebook (I installed Chrome, which also gave me yet another copy of Angry Birds, but the version with ads). Neither one will sync with my library, sitting on my porch, either because the signal is a bit weak or perhaps because my library is just too large (yes, it's true, there are over
2,000 4,000 books, but, Hey! Is that MY fault?). It could be because I have two copies of the Kindle Cloud Reader going at once (and I only see one in the Manage My Kindle Device list). I tried sending a sample to my Kindle Cloud Reader (from the iPad, in Safari, but it hasn't shown up in either place, yet).
Update #2:
I logged out on my notebook PC and tried syncing on the iPad and it still won't work. I don't think it's the signal, but it just can't download my library and so it chokes. I went into the Kindle store and it works quite well. You can browse thru by category, see covers, zoom in to see the description and read reviews, then click on Read sample and start reading it right in the browser. The sample works just like any other and at the end are the "buy now" or "see description" links that you are used to. As always, I went to the description page, double checked the price, then clicked to Buy. Once the purchase was completed, then I was asked if I wanted to start reading (which opens it in the browser, it does not download it). Back into the library, I still can't sync and the book doesn't show as downloaded. So, I went back to the store, found the book and, guess what? In this view of the Kindle store, you CANNOT tell if you have already purchased a book. Since I knew that I owned this particular one, I clicked to buy it again, just to see what would happen (knowing I could call support and get it fixed easily, if it went all wrong). First, I saw the message that I already owned it and then (finally), I was shown the Read Now button, so I could keep reading the book. I don't see any way to force the book to download to the iPad's Kindle Cloud Reader without getting the library to Sync and since I logged off on Chrome on this PC, I don't have the option to send anything to the iPad's Cloud Reader (no doubt on purpose; by disabling push to the Cloud Reader, Amazon bypasses any issue of having to pay Apple a cut on the content).
Update #2:
I tried logging out on the iPad and now when I try to start the app, it keeps trying to re-install it for offline use (it was already on my home page). That, too, now gets an error (it worked the first time) and I am stuck in an endless loop of trying to sync/install for offline use. The version on my computer won't sync, either, so I have no idea how it compares to either the Kindle Ipad app or Kindle for PC (both of which still work fine, although if you run Windows7, you will want to make sure you have auto-update turned off, as the latest edition apparently doesn't work with it).
In the Chrome browser, accessing the Kindle store shows you the same full screen views you've had before, with one big exception -- if you go to the Manage My Kindle page, there is now a Read Now option for each book (click on the Actions button). I wish that they would show that on the book page, since they already show you if you have purchased that edition. The feature, though, does work flawlessly (I'll have to see if there is an equivalent on the iPad, so I don't have to keep trying to repurchase a book in order to see the Read Now button).
