If you dig a good book on your lap, chances are you’ve already downloaded and used the Kindle App for iPad. I know I have. Granted, I’m not a BIG reader, but the Kindle and iBooks apps are front-and-center on my iPad. Over the weekend the team at Amazon announced new features and functionality for the their app on iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch.
The main update? Embedded audio and video clips can now be found within Kindle books. Very cool. Although I haven’t checked out the new functionality first-hand as of yet, if you’d like to do so, one of the first books to include this new content is Rick Steves’ London by Rick Steves and Together We Cannot Fail by Terry Golway.
For more information hit up the press release after the jump, or visit www.amazon.com/kindleaudiovideo.
Amazon Announces New Functionality for Kindle Apps for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch
Readers can now enjoy embedded video and audio clips in Kindle books on their iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch
SEATTLE, Jun 27, 2010 — Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) today announced a new update to Kindle for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, which allows readers to enjoy the benefits of embedded video and audio clips in books. The first books to take advantage of this new technology, including Rick Steves’ London by Rick Steves and Together We Cannot Fail by Terry Golway, are available in the Store at www.amazon.com/kindleaudiovideo.
“We are excited to add this functionality to Kindle for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch,” said Dorothy Nicholls, director. “Readers will already find some editions with audio/video clips in our store today–from Rose’s Heavenly Cakes with video tips on preparing the perfect cake to Bird Songs with audio clips that relate the songs and calls to the birds’ appearances. This is just the beginning–we look forward to seeing what authors and publishers create for customers using the new functionality of the apps.”
“We are truly excited to have collaborated with Amazon to launch Kindle Editions with audio/video,” said Peter Balis, Director, Digital Content Sales, Wiley. “Innovations like these represent the advantages that digital can offer. Advancing our content in this manner is important for our authors and our readers and it will raise the bar on what digital reading can offer for years to come.”
“In the new Kindle Edition with audio/video of Rick Steves’ London, the embedded walking tours allow customers to listen to Rick as they explore the sites of London,” said Bill Newlin, publisher, Avalon Travel. “Rick’s narration adds depth to the reader’s experience, while listeners can follow the routes more easily with the text.”
Kindle Editions with audio/video are available now with the latest App on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. The app for iPhone is now optimized for iPhone 4’s retina display. For more information, go to www.amazon.com/kindleapps.