Amazon removed the option to download Kindle ebooks to your PC on February 26, 2025. Yes, that included ebooks that you've already purchased and have tied to your Amazon account.

It's another sober reminder that we really don't own anything in a digital format. Worse, Amazon hadn't exactly made a big deal of the news, hoping to quietly kill off the feature.

If you haven't downloaded a Kindle ebook lately, you probably have not seen the warning. It's a small paragraph in the pop-up ebook menu, stating:

To be clear, Amazon ebooks will still be downloadable directly to a Kindle over Wi-Fi after February 26. You just won't be able to download them to your PC for backup or to change their file type to suit other ereaders.

For many users, that won't really change how they use their Kindle. For others, however, it's a bigger deal.

Why does Amazon's Kindle ebook download ban matter?

Think of a brick-and-mortar bookstore. You enter the doors, pick out some books, pay for them, and leave. They're now yours to do whatever you wish. Read them? Great. Share them? Even better.

Books are meant to be passed around and enjoyed by friends and family for years to come. Unfortunately, that approach won't make the most money for big companies like Amazon.

I understand that digital ebooks are much easier to share broadly, resulting in worries of piracy. I also understand that a company like Amazon wants to protect its Kindle ecosystem.

But when you take what is arguably the most prolific ereader hardware and digital platform in the world and suddenly kill a major feature, users aren't likely to be pleased.

There's also the matter of Amazon's tendency to delete ebooks without warning. Consider this: you buy an ebook from Amazon and download it straight to your Kindle (since there's no longer a different avenue).

Amazon realizes that the book wasn't distributed legally (despite you buying it from its store) or isn't fit for selling (perhaps due to language or subject), and it's suddenly gone from your library.

This scenario has happened in the past with some high-profile books, and there's no guarantee it won't happen again. Now that you can't download your Kindle ebooks to your PC, Amazon has complete control over what you've purchased.

Without PC downloads, you can no longer change file types to suit other ereaders or devices you might own. Want a book that's only sold on Amazon? You'd better hope you have a Kindle. Have an old Kindle without a Wi-Fi connection? You're also out of luck.

How can I save my Kindle ebooks before the download ban?

You're running out of time before the February 26 download ban to save your Kindle ebooks to your PC. Here's the straightforward method:

1. Head to Amazon.com and log into your Amazon account.
2. Hover over Accounts & Lists in the top-right corner.
3. Click on Content & Devices.

Here you'll find a list of your linked Amazon devices as well as the Kindle ebooks you've purchased on your account.

You can click on individual ebooks to download them. Just enter the More actions menu and select Download & Transfer via USB.

This method works great if you only have a handful of Kindle ebooks tied to your account. What happens if you have a massive library and no time to download each ebook individually?

YouTube channel "How To Do Stuff" also put together a great guide for using Tampermonkey and GitHub browser scripts to bulk download your Kindle books from Amazon.

Just grab the Tampermonkey browser extension for Edge, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Opera Next, then grab the GitHub script from Daniel Winkler. This method opens up the ability to bulk download your Kindle ebooks from the Amazon website.

Windows Central's Daniel Rubino used this method to save all of his Kindle ebooks before the February 26 deadline, and he provided me with some screenshots of the process. As you can see, it's a clean interface that adds checkmarks next to your books, allowing you to quickly filter what gets downloaded.

Once you've selected the books, just click the "Trigger Download" button in the top-right corner.

What you do with your downloaded Kindle ebooks is up to you. I'm not promoting anything illegal; this is simply a way to hold onto the content you've legally purchased.

Is there a better alternative to Kindle?

Amazon's Kindle certainly isn't the only viable ereader on the market. I have a Kobo Clara 2E device that I absolutely love, but there are other options available from Nook, Boox, and reMarkable.

Unlike the Kindle and its proprietary file types that don't work on other ereaders, something like the Kobo Clara uses EPUB files that are much easier to share among your devices.

Yes, there are ways to strip DRM and convert your Kindle books to something like EPUB, but I'll let you search out the method on your own.

In my case, I'm disappointed that I'll no longer be able to source certain ebooks from Amazon to use with my non-Kindle ereader. I get that Amazon wants to protect its Kindle ecosystem, but this move will undoubtedly push more people towards piracy in the process.

As much as I travel with a laptop, including some ultra-compact 14-inch models with gorgeous OLED displays, I'll never feel comfortable reading whole books on their screens. Instead, throwing our Kindle Paperwhite into my suitcase gives me a hilarious amount of reading material thanks to its month-long battery (with change) that hasn't ever come close to dying on me at an inconvenient time.

• See all Cyber Monday deals on Kindle devices at Amazon

Amazon, not content to rest on what is already a world-class eReader, has upped the 7-inch Paperwhite's battery to around 12 weeks (seriously) while the 6-inch 'New Kindle' still hits up to 6 weeks.

The latest Kindle Paperwhite is down to $129.99 at Amazon itself, a little more expensive than the 'New Kindle' at $84.99, but it's still my favorite, and Amazon has upgraded the screen to speed up page turns by 25% to solve the real slow-moving gripe from its predecessor. If you've never tried an eReader, Amazon is offering a 3-month free trial of its Kindle Unlimited subscription for instant access to more than 4 million books alongside magazines, comics, and audiobooks.

Microsoft could learn a thing or two from Amazon

Its book-centric siblings mostly overshadow it, but Amazon's Kindle Scribe changed how our Editor-in-Chief works with its Paperwhite-style E-ink touchscreen, as Daniel Rubino praised it: "Besides being the best Kindle reader I’ve had simply due to the display size, the ‘Scribe’ part has been a game changer for my job. It’s the tech I would have killed to have in graduate school, and any student or office worker would adore its capabilities."

If you're on the fence about buying a Kindle during Cyber Monday, you can always install the Amazon Kindle desktop app on any Windows device to try it out.

The app is free, and there are plenty of free books on the Kindle store to try, so your experience wouldn't differ too much from reading on Amazon's eReaders.

Your most noticeable benefit from buying a Kindle, especially the Paperwhite, will be the unparalleled battery life on offer compared to practically any Windows laptop.

Even Windows on Arm devices like the Surface Pro 11 wouldn't outlive a Kindle, but a Surface offers so much more functionality than Amazon's eReaders.

Still, you have nothing to lose by trying the Kindle app before buying anything at all. Ultimately, I'd recommend the Kindle Paperwhite at $129.99 simply because my fiancée and I use ours when we travel for vacation and never worry about its absurdly long battery life.

Holding out for Cyber Monday doesn't feel worth it, at least for a Kindle, since Amazon is unlikely to be out-priced on its own products. You can even trade in similar devices for an extra 20% off the discounted price, so go ahead and buy now without regret if you're tempted and have an older eReader laying around.

What you need to know

• Microsoft Word just gained the ability to export documents to the Amazon Kindle.
• The feature lets users choose to have the document converted to the Kindle format, so the document is like a Kindle book.
• The feature was first announced in September 2022 as coming in “early 2023.”

Microsoft kept its promise as it worked with Amazon to let users export Microsoft Word documents to any Kindle. The feature is now rolling out to Word users, according to Microsoft’s Joe Belfiore (who is also retiring soon).

I checked my version of Word, which is on the Microsoft 365 Insider program set to the Current Channel (Preview), and sure enough, under File > Export, the ‘Send documents to Kindle’ option is now present.

The exportation feature works as you’d expect. Hit the button and sign into your Amazon account through a pop-up dialog. Once signed in, you can choose to export the document “Like a Kindle book” or “Like a printed document:”

*Like a Kindle Book: This option “makes font sizes and page layouts adjustable” and supports handwritten sticky notes with the Kindle Scribe. Microsoft says this is best for reading on smaller screens and text with “simpler formatting.”

*Like a printed document: This choice “keeps page layouts and formatting as-is” and supports “writing directly on the page with the Kindle Scribe.” Microsoft states this option is “good for text with more complex formatting and elements like embedded tables.”

The document takes only a few minutes to convert and arrive on the Kindle, where you’ll need to download it.

The “Like a Kindle book” option looks nice as it shows up, well, like a Kindle book, whereas the “printed document” looks just like the full Word version, including all the formatting for graphics, titles, and more, and, as noted above, it lets you write directly to the document using the Kindle Scribe, which is quite nifty. Of course, the Kindle book option enables you to take handwritten notes, but they appear as sticky notes that pop up, and you can’t write directly to the page.

Overall, this is a good feature for those who live both in Word and like reading longer documents on their Kindle. It’s even better for those with the Kindle Scribe as you can now markup and take notes directly, although, unfortunately, they cannot sync back like during collaboration.

The only thing cooler than this is if Microsoft made its own E-ink device that worked directly with Word, Office, OneDrive, and more. 

Maybe someday.

One of the most impressive bits of tech that I recently purchased is Amazon’s Kindle Scribe with E-ink (or 'electronic ink'). It’s a $330 e-reader with a generous 10.2-inch Paperwhite touchscreen, front light (with color temperature controls), and, as the name suggests, the ability to be used for notetaking thanks to the pen. Unfortunately, the price jumps significantly if you add the Premium Pen (pushbutton eraser) or go up from the entry-level 16GB of storage.

Besides being the best Kindle reader I’ve had simply due to the display size, the ‘Scribe’ part has been a game changer for my job. It’s the tech I would have killed to have in graduate school, and any student or office worker would adore its capabilities.

Sure, the inking functionality is overly simplistic compared to the popular (and more expensive) reMarkable2. Still, since I don’t draw and all I want to do is take basic notes, I find the experience satisfactory. Plus, Amazon has promised software enhancements to add more functionality around notetaking and some support for Microsoft Word.

You’re probably curious why I’d want Scribe versus a Windows laptop like Surface Pro 9 that can ink and do much more. It’s a good question. A lot of my choice comes down to purpose. Kindle Scribe has two functions: Read books and take notes. It does that while being super light (15.3 oz / 433 g) with a battery that can last weeks. It also feels more like pencil and paper due to the texturized display. Basically, Scribe nails its two functions.

Inking on a Windows laptop for notetaking is excellent, especially when you leverage OneNote. But the experience is not quite as satisfying as using Scribe. That comes down to the feeling as well as battery anxiety.

While I was in Las Vegas covering CES, all I used was the Lenovo ThinkPad X13s with 5G, Kindle Scribe, and a Google Pixel 7. Those three things were extremely light to carry, and each had all-day battery life. Sure, a Surface Pro 9 5G could have been used instead, but there’s a chance I would have had to carry a battery pack (or at least a charger) with me since my day was so chaotic and all over the map.

That setup was the coolest one I have ever used. Taking notes during interviews and meetings felt like I was using a notebook. The lighting made it viewable in any condition. And it was super fast to get into and out of it without the usual PC issues.

Lenovo Smart Paper and what about Microsoft?

While at CES 2023, I got hands-on with Lenovo’s forthcoming Smart Paper. It’s like Amazon’s Kindle Scribe in size and function but uses Android and is more open source. You can even sideload any Android APK on it for running apps and use e-pub books for reading. Writing abilities are more advanced on Smart Paper than Scribe, but Amazon can make up for some of that via those software updates.

Lenovo also has clever sync software to run on Android, iOS, and Windows to share documents and move them wherever you want. Cloud support via Google is there as well. 

The coolest thing, however, is Lenovo includes the pen and cover (unlike Amazon), and the pen fits into a silo in that cover, which is a brilliant design.

Again, I would have loved for Lenovo Smart Paper to exist years ago. The latency of the ink, the feel, the battery life, it’s all stellar stuff. In addition, Lenovo lets you record audio while notetaking and play it back, just like Microsoft’s OneNote. I wish Kindle did that, but perhaps later it will.

All this makes me wonder why Microsoft hasn’t leaned more into E-ink.

Could you imagine a 10- or 11-inch e-reader with Microsoft’s pen technology built around running Microsoft 365’s Office apps like Word, Outlook, and OneNote? The E-ink refresh rate is good enough that it doesn’t feel weird to use it for more than just reading (it’s excellent for inking already), so I don’t see why a portable Microsoft Office reader with pen support wouldn’t be killer. Take notes in OneNote, save to OneDrive, or mail something off in Outlook. View your calendar on the lock screen, etc.

Some of this seems like a no-brainer, although I get how it could cannibalize some of the arguments for Surface Pro devices. But, on the other hand, inking on Surface Pro seems better suited for professional artists, engineers, and creative types who need vibrant color and the power of a PC behind it all. However, a Microsoft Scribe-like device would benefit office workers, students, and journalists. Not to mention such a device would be much cheaper to purchase. Heck, Microsoft could even tie it into Microsoft 365 subscriptions with discounts on commitments to the service or pay it off monthly like a cell phone.

Of course, there’s no evidence of Microsoft moving in on such a project, which is a shame. So, I’ll keep using my Kindle Scribe and wait for Lenovo’s Smart Paper to fill that void in my heart.

But Microsoft, if you’re listening, give it a thought, m’kay?

What you need to know

• Kindle Scribe will be the first Amazon Kindle e-reader that delivers a digital pen experience.
• You'll be able to take notes, make to-do lists, draw, annotate books, sign PDFs, and more with the battery-free digital pen.
• Kindle Scribe will come with an ecosystem of accessories, including covers, choice of basic or premium pens, and stands. 
• It ships with a 10.2-inch e-ink display that lasts for weeks, not hours or days, according to Amazon, with a resolution of 300 PPI.

Amazon is ready to take on traditional tablets, like Microsoft's Surface Pro 8 and Apple's iPad Pro, with its latest e-reader: Kindle Scribe. As its name implies, Kindle Scribe ships with a digital pen that allows you to take notes, draw, doodle, sign PDFs, and more. 

Unlike the Surface Pro 8 or the iPad Pro, Kindle Scribe is not about apps, as Amazon is looking to expand its e-reading experience with digital note-taking. 

“Kindle Scribe is the best Kindle we’ve ever built, creating a reading and writing experience that feels like real paper,” Kevin Keith, vice president of Amazon Devices, said in a prepared statement. “It's inspired by the Kindle customers who have added billions of notes and highlights to books over the years, and it’s also ideal for reviewing and marking up documents, managing your to-do list, or doodling over a big idea. Plus, it offers all the Kindle benefits customers know and love—millions of books on demand, adjustable fonts, premium reading features, and weeks and weeks of battery life—with the benefit of a beautiful, large display.”

This makes Kindle Scribe not only a challenger to the Surface Pro and the iPad Pro for note-taking and document signing, but the latest member of Amazon's Kindle family will also take on dedicated e-ink tablets, like the Remarkable slate. 

The Scribe uses a 10.2-inch e-ink display, which Amazon claims continues to maintain its weeks-long class-leading battery life for digital displays, with a resolution of 300 pixels-per-inch. The display is front-lit and is glare-free for eye comfort during long reading sessions. The front light can auto-adjust based on the environment around you.

To take notes, Amazon will offer two pen experiences, and shoppers can choose a premium or basic pen option. The pens can attach to the Kindle Scribe via magnets, and there is no need to worry about recharging the pens. Documents can be uploaded to the Scribe via the Send-to-Kindle experience, and Amazon promises a future update that will allow you to sync Microsoft Word documents to Kindle Scribe seamlessly.

Amazon will offer various templates that will allow you to create to-do lists, tracking tasks, and take notes in a notebook with lined or unlined pages.

Kindle Scribe is available for pre-order today starting at $339, and it will be available in 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB storage capacities. Amazon will also offer a host of accessories, including covers, for the Kindle Scribe.

In addition to Scribe, Amazon also announced updates to its Echo line of smart speakers and the company launched a new contact-less bedside sleep tracker called Halo Rise that uses advanced machine learning to analyze your sleep patterns.

The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite kids edition was only first introduced towards the end of last year. We did see a deal over the Black Friday shopping weekend, but other than that it has sold at its MSRP of $160. Today you can get it at an even better price than Black Friday because the e-reader is down to just $109.99. That's $50 off and $5 better than any previous sale.

Keep in mind that the Kids Edition of the Paperwhite is a lot more than just the e-reader itself. For one thing, it comes with a kid-friendly cover that helps protect it from the wear and tear of a child handling it (and there are three options to choose from at this price). It also comes with a two-year worry-free guarantee that will provide you with protection should anything bad happen to the tablet. On top of all that, you get a year of Amazon Kids+, which is a service that gives you access to thousands of kid-oriented books and hundreds of audiobooks through Audible. A year of Amazon Kids+ is normally $36, and it will automatically renew for $2.99 a month after that year is up if you don't cancel the service. In total, you're saving more than $86 with today's deal.

If the Paperwhite is still too much, you can also save on the kids edition of the regular Amazon Kindle. It is on sale for $59.99 from a regular price around $110. This matches a low price we saw during last year's holiday shopping season, and you can choose between four different cover colors.

A regular tablet can be awfully distracting for a kid. There are so many apps and games and streaming services that it's hard to keep it under control. The nice thing about the Paperwhite is that while it might feel like a tablet, it's basically designed just for reading or listening to books.

The e-reader is waterproof so your kids can use it on the go or by the pool or leave it next to the sink. The Paperwhite even features OPenDyslexic, which is a unique font preferred by some people with dyslexia to help them read. And it has an adjustable warm light so your kid can read anywhere, even when it's getting dark.

No one does Amazon device deals better than Amazon, right? Today's daily deals section includes the Amazon Kindle e-reader for as low as $49.99. That's $40 off the regular price of the Kindle, and it's actually just one of the ways you can save. Basically every variation of the Kindle is on sale. Choose from black or white. Choose from ad-supported or not ad-supported ($20 more but still discounted from its regular price). You can even get three months of the Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscription tacked on for free. Considering Kindle Unlimited normally costs $10 a month, that's another $30 in savings with access to thousands of books for you to read on your new device.

The classic Kindle is all about facilitating a healthy habit of reading lots and lots of books. It has a 167 ppi display that resists glare from the sun or bright lights. It is meant to feel like you're reading from real paper and does a pretty good job of that compared to a bright screen from a tablet or smartphone. You can dive deep into your books and explore all new worlds without suffering from eye fatigue.

This Kindle even includes a light on the front, which is an improvement over previous generations. You can also adjust the brightness based on where you're reading so you get it just right.

The Kindle includes 8GB of internal storage. You could store thousands of books with that much space. Kindles have also historically been very good with battery life. We're talking about a battery that lasts for weeks because the device is designed to maximize that property.

Highlight passages while you read, look up words you don't know, translate foreign words you can't identify, adjust the text size, and more. The Kindle makes reading as easy as possible for you. You can even sign up with Audible and get some audiobooks and listen with a pair of Bluetooth headphones.

There's still time to get in some of that summer reading! Hook yourself up with a new e-reader because Amazon is having a huge 45% off sale on the Kindle Paperwhite in multiple configurations. You can get the base Paperwhite down to just $70.99. It normally sells for around $130, so today's deal is $59 off. It's a crazy low price that's $15 better than any deal we've ever seen before. You can upgrade to versions with more memory or more features like a Paperwhite with LTE and Wi-Fi that's $72 off its normal price. The deals are available in every color including Black, Plum, Sage, and Twilight Blue.

The Paperwhite is the quintessential e-reader, and it has all the features you'd want from a device dedicated to reading. The biggest strength is that e-ink display designed to look like real paper. The best part about it, of course, is that you can take the Paperwhite anywhere and read even if you're out in the sun because your books won't get drowned out by glare. There's also a light on the front so you can keep going after dark. It's nice to be able to just pick it up and start reading anywhere without having to worry about how the light is going to impact you.

Other features include the ability to highlight your favorite passages, look up words using the dictionary, translate other words you might stumble across, and even adjust the text size to make it easier to read. Download and store thousands of books with Amazon's library. You can even sign up for Audible and listen to audiobooks while using Bluetooth headphones.

The Paperwhite is also waterproof, so if you plan on hanging out near the pool you don't have to worry about a little splash. The basic ad-supported version has 8GB of storage and built-in Wi-Fi. You can still upgrade and save, though, including going for the ad-free version or upgrading the storage to 32GB. If you upgrade to the version with LTE you don't need to have a Wi-Fi network nearby to download something new.

Amazon's eBook Kindle service has long been treated as a second-class citizen on Windows. For a few years, there was a Store app for Windows 8 devices, but that was pulled back in October 2016. There's also a "classic" desktop app, but it's been criticized as slow and clunky.

Luckily, there is a simple solution that works better than expected in the new Microsoft Edge browser: Kindle Cloud Reader.

Here's how it works and how to get it.

Kindle Cloud Reader: What is it?

Amazon's Kindle Cloud Reader is, at its heart, a simple web app that accesses your Kindle library. It's officially released as a browser plugin for Google Chrome (this extension, however, doesn't work in the new Edge for whatever reason).

The web app gives you access to all your online Kindle books and offers many settings and features, including:

• Customize your reading experience by choosing font size, text color, background color, number of reading columns, and more
• Create and edit notes, highlights, and bookmarks
• Whispersync technology automatically syncs your furthest page read, notes, and marks across devices, so you can start reading in your browser and pick up where you left off on your Kindle or any device with the Kindle app installed
• Search inside the book to find a topic, character, or section you want to revisit
• Look up word definitions and listen to how they are pronounced (available for English only)
• Shop the Kindle Store for millions of Kindle books, including new releases and best sellers
• Your current book is automatically made available for offline use, and you can choose to save a book for reading offline at any time
• Receive automatic software updates without the need to download new software

But really, the most significant and useful features come down to three things: (1) Support for offline reading, (2) Dark mode, and (3) Portrait mode.

Kindle Cloud Reader: How to get it

Installing Kindle Cloud Reader in the new Edge browser is simple and is the same method for installing any website as an app, including Disney+.

Note: You may want to whitelist read.amazon.com in any adblocker extension you are using. Otherwise, your Kindle library may not display correctly. The same applies to the Night Eye extension.

1. Navigate to read.amazon.com in the new Edge browser.
2. Log into your Amazon account.
3. Select the browser menu '…' in the upper right corner in Edge.
4. Navigate to Apps, and select Install this site as an app.

5. Name the app if you want and hit Install.

The Kindle Cloud Reader "app" will now show in the Windows 10 app menu as expected. From there, you can right-click on it to pin to the Start menu or send it to the Task Bar for quick access. Right-clicking on the icon also lets you uninstall the "app" if you no longer need it.

You now have a Kindle reader app!

Using the Kindle Reader App on Windows 10 and Microsoft Edge is quite good. Because it's a web shortcut, it takes up just a few kilobytes of information (versus the 54MB .exe installer for the desktop reader).

To download your books for offline use, right-click on any book and select Download and Pin from the menu. Your books will be put into a separate tab called "Downloaded," which can be accessed when your PC is in Airplane mode (the books will sync your reading position when you are back online).

There are limitations to the Kindle Cloud Reader app. Expressly, touch support is limited to mostly going forward and backward in the book (page turning). While there are advanced features for tuning fonts and taking notes, you'll need to use the keyboard and mouse pointer to make those changes. There also doesn't seem to be a way to make it full screen, so you'll see the Windows taskbar.*

*Correction: As noted in comments you can make it full screen. Simply "tap the three dots on the task bar in the upper right corner and the drop down menu has the double arrow to trigger full screen. To get out of full screen with touch, just press in the middle of the page and hold your finger there until an X in a circle drops down from the top, hit it, and out of full screen." Thanks, bigbradbad, for the tip!

Overall, using the Kindle Cloud Reader on the Surface Pro X and Surface Go has been quite satisfying. Tossing the reader into the dark mode and hitting the pinned icon is fast, and the "app" is quite fluid.

While I'd still prefer Amazon to make a proper app with support for inking and the Microsoft Store, this is a reliable alternative for those who don't want to lug around a Kindle reader (or forgot to pack one).

The new Microsoft Edge is available now on Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and macOS. Microsoft Edge is also available on Android and iOS too.

Further reading and information on Edge

• How to start using Microsoft Edge Chromium on Windows 10
• Microsoft Edge on Mac review: in time, a worthy Safari competitor
• Five ways to fix common problems with Microsoft Edge Chromium
• Microsoft Edge for Surface Pro X (ARM64) is now in available

Keeping up with any lengthy 2020 reading list won't be cheap, but Amazon has an offer that could help out just a bit. Select accounts can receive $5 or $10 to be used towards Kindle eBooks, and all you have to do is click one of the links below to accept the credit. Your account may be eligible for both offers, though you'll only be able to redeem one. That means you'll want to try the $10 link first.

• Free $10 towards any Kindle eBook
• Free $5 towards any Kindle eBook

If you're included in the lucky group of members who are eligible this offer, you'll be able to click a 'Redeem' button on the link above to have the credit automatically applied to your account. From that point, you'll have 14 days to use the credit before it expires. That means you'll want to start thinking of what you'll want to buy right now.

The best part about Kindle eBooks is that you don't need a Kindle to read any of them. While having a Kindle e-reader is arguably the best way to experience eBooks, you can also download the free Kindle app on a myriad of devices such as smartphones and tablets so you can read the books you've purchased on those devices as well. You can read them using your internet browser, too.

If you are interested in purchasing a Kindle, you're in luck as a number of models are currently on sale. You can pick up the new Kindle Paperwhite for $94.99 or the latest Kindle on sale for $64.99. The Kindle Kids Edition is nearly 25% off right now as well! Unsure of what to spend your credit on? Amazon's bestsellers list can guide you through some of the best new and classic novels that are worth a read.

Buying book after book after book can get pretty expensive very quickly, which is why Kindle Unlimited makes for the perfect alternative. Becoming a member unlocks access to Amazon's vast selection of digital books and more to read when you please, and they're all accessible via the free Kindle app which you'll be able to open and use practically anywhere you go. Now you can take all your favorite books with you without weighing down your luggage, and the best part is you can join today with a three-month membership for only $0.99.

Kindle Unlimited usually costs $10 per month which is why you do not want to miss out on this offer. You'll get to read as many books as you can within that three-month timespan all for only $1, and if you decide that the service isn't for you, you can turn off auto-renew in your account settings at anytime without being charged anything extra.

Despite Kindle Unlimited working hand-in-hand with Kindle devices perfectly, you don't need a Kindle to read any of the books available via Kindle Unlimited. The free Kindle app lets you read them too, which is available on tons of devices from smartphones to tablets to computers. That means there's no excuse not to have a membership.

With its myriad of titles, Kindle Unlimited could keep you reading non-stop if you wished. From technical documents to cookbooks to fantasy novels, even some audiobooks are included and so much more. The service has favorites like the complete Harry Potter series, too.

This Kindle Unlimited offer is available for new and some returning members, so be sure to head over to the Kindle Unlimited homepage now and take advantage of this deal while it's still available. There really isn't a better way to spend just $1 on books.

Books can be expensive, but Amazon's giving select customers a chance to save on their first eBook purchases in 2020. You can earn a $5 credit to use towards any Kindle eBook purchase when you spend $20 or more on Kindle eBooks from now through December 31. Spend the whole $20 in one transaction, or in multiple ones, though you'll need to activate the offer on your account first by clicking the dark blue 'Activate Now' button on the offer page.

After you've reached the $20 goal, you should receive an email within two days letting you know that the credit has been applied to your account. The credit does expire after 21 days, so make sure to use it before then! No activation button will appear if your account isn't eligible for this offer.

The deal given is no longer valid and we do not have a better one. However, we have found some similar deals

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One of the best deals to come to Amazon Kids+ is now available exclusively for Prime members! Your family can score three months of access for only $1 by signing up before Prime Day begins on June 21.

Today's Kindle eBooks deal is stellar because it doesn't have any restrictions on which eBooks you can buy to redeem it. However, digital magazines, subscriptions like Kindle Unlimited, and all physical books are not eligible for this offer. Pre-ordering eBooks will not contribute to reaching the $20 goal either unless they're released by December 31. However, gifting eBooks does count in case you need to send any belated holiday presents.

A quick way to earn the credit would be by picking up a full series like Game of Thrones or Harry Potter, both of which would earn you the credit instantly. Just make sure you've activated the offer before your purchase. For more ideas, take a look through the Kindle Books store.

If you don't have a Kindle yet, there are models at Amazon starting at $79.99. Then again, you don't need one to read Kindle eBooks; they're all able to be read using the free Kindle app on devices like your smartphone, tablet, and computer.

Another smart way to save on Kindle eBooks is with a Kindle Unlimited subscription. It gives you access to Amazon's digital eBook library so you can check out books whenever you'd like. Right now you can score a three-month membership for only $0.99.

The countdown to Black Friday is almost over! Tons of deals are now live at Amazon for its Black Friday Deals Week, including one freebie that no one should miss out on. Right now you can score a free Kindle Unlimited 3-month membership and catch up on your reading anywhere you go.

Having a subscription to Kindle Unlimited earns you access to a digital eBook library that you can visit and check books out from whenever you want, wherever you want. Normally a membership costs $10 monthly, which isn't much to pay for the ability to read over a million titles as you please, but signing up with today's deal won't charge you anything at all for your first three months of service.

Once three months have passed, your preferred billing method will be charged for another month. However, if you decide Kindle Unlimited isn't right for you, you can turn off auto-renew in your account settings at Amazon at any time to make sure it never charges you for another month. Don't be surprised if you become hooked though! Today's deal is only valid for new subscribers, though previous subscribers can save on renewing their membership today as well. Amazon is taking 50% off the 6-month membership through the end of the year.

Despite Kindle Unlimited working hand-in-hand with Kindle devices perfectly, you don't need a Kindle to read any of the books available via Kindle Unlimited. The free Kindle app lets you read them too, which is available on tons of devices from smartphones to tablets to computers.

With its myriad of titles, Kindle Unlimited could keep you reading non-stop if you wished. From technical documents to cookbooks to fantasy novels, even some audiobooks are included and so much more. The service has favorites like the complete Harry Potter series, too.

Stay up to date with the latest Black Friday price drops here.

The all-new Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is down to $89.99 for Amazon Prime members. That's $40 off this relatively recent release and, outside of Prime Day, today's price is a match of the best we've ever seen. Even on Prime Day it only went $5 lower than this. Price drops on this model are few and far between, so there's no telling the next time it'll go on sale.

As well as taking $40 off the entry-level Paperwhite, you can score up to $45 off other available models including versions with more storage and free cellular connectivity. To make things even sweeter, your purchase also includes three months of Kindle Unlimited, a service that has a value of $10 per month. It gives you access to thousands and thousands of well-loved books. You can borrow up to ten at a time, take as long as you need to read them, and exchange them for other titles whenever you'd like. It's a must-have for any bookworm.

The deal given is no longer valid and we do not have a better one. However, we have found some similar deals

Ring Video Doorbell Wired with Echo Show 5

$64.99 $139.98 Save $75 1624266233

The Ring Video Doorbell is bundled with Amazon's Echo Show 5 at over 50% off exclusively for Prime Day. You'll be able to see who's at your door using the Ring app on a myriad of devices, including the Echo Show 5.

Fire TV Stick 4K with 'The Disney Bundle'

Limited Time Only 1624261022

Exclusively during Prime Day, Amazon is offering Prime members three free months of 'The Disney Bundle' with the purchase of a new Fire TV Stick or Fire Tablet. The Disney Bundle gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+.

Amazon Prime Video Channels

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Amazon Prime Video lets you add other streaming services as 'channels' to your Prime subscription, and right now select options are down to just $1 per month ahead of Prime Day!

Amazon Echo Devices

Prices Vary 1623665369

Featuring the Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Show 5, Echo Auto, Echo Frames, and more, this sale lets you snap up some Amazon hardware without breaking the bank. These are some of the best prices ever, tough they are just for Prime members.

Amazon Kids+ Family Plan

$0.99 $29.99 Save $29 1622747114

One of the best deals to come to Amazon Kids+ is now available exclusively for Prime members! Your family can score three months of access for only $1 by signing up before Prime Day begins on June 21.

Chosen by us as the best Kindle in 2019, the new Kindle Paperwhite is the thinnest, lightest model yet. It has a built-in adjustable light to help you read at night, and the glare-free screen is easy on your eyes, too. It's waterproof, so you can read at the beach or in the bath. It can connect to your headphones for audiobook listening as well. The battery lasts for weeks at a time, and the display is higher-resolution than the original Kindle. This model also features Bookerly, which is an Amazon-exclusive font that was designed specifically for reading on digital screens. The base-spec Paperwhite does have special offers on the lockscreen, which are tastefully designed and unobtrusive, though you can go for the models without special offers and make the same savings.

Kindle books tend to be extremely affordable, especially when compared to traditional bound books. At least once per week, Thrifter posts a new Kindle book sale, but oftentimes the deals pop up more frequently than that. Prime members also get a free Kindle book each month.

If the Kindle Paperwhite is a little out of your price range even with these discounts, check out savings on the latest entry-level Kindle. That all-new device was only just released this April and now features a built-in front light, which is a huge improvement over previous generations. It's $25 off for Prime members and also snags you the Kindle Unlimited freebie.

Amazon's 6-inch Kindle reader is currently £55 right now as part of the retailer giant's Prime-exclusive promotion. This price is a steal, knocking £15 off the original listing, but is only available today.

Amazon's popular Kindle reader is currently on sale right now, allowing you to ditch your physical collection of books in favor of digital copies. The benefits of using a Kindle include not having to pack physical reading material, being more comfortable to hold for hours, not straining your eyes like other digital displays, and working well in all environments. The newest Kindle is super-slim, comes in black and white, and the touchscreen keeps the device clutter-free.

More than five million books are available to purchase from the Kindle store and the integrated battery will last for weeks between charges. There's also full support for Audible, just in case you prefer someone to read material to you. Kindle books also tend to be more affordable than bound counterparts too. Prime members also get a free Kindle book each month.

If you're a Prime Member in the UK, you can get three months of Amazon Kindle Unlimited for free. That's £0 to try over a million books during your Summer holiday. Kindle Unlimited is available on phones, tablets, and several other devices as well as Kindles so you can take your books anywhere.

Amazon just unveiled an updated Kindle Oasis and it is the first in the Kindle lineup to gain adjustable display color temperature. The feature allows users to customize the color tone from cool white to warm amber hues in order to transition from daytime reading to a more comfortable nighttime experience. The latter also more closely replicates the reading experience of a regular off-white paper book so will please those who have historically preferred their books in physical form.

One neat feature of the 2019 Kindle Oasis is the ability to schedule the display changes to coincide with sunrise and sunset times. You may have grown accustomed to your phone, tablet or even smart home lighting automatically adjusting their color to match your ambient light, so it makes total sense for your e-reader to be able to do the same. Having a warmer display temperature at night will be much easier on your eyes, especially at night.

Other than the new color adjustable front light, the new Kindle Oasis is virtually unchanged from its predecessor. Amazon states that the updated model features "the latest e-ink technology for fast page turns" though it is unclear if that is an update from the 2017 version. It still has the same 7-inch, 300ppi display, ergonomic one-handed design, and IPX8 waterproofing for reading by the pool or in the tub. Kindle Oasis also supports Bluetooth for listening to Audible audiobooks.

Kevin Keith, Vice President, Amazon Devices, said:

You can pre-order the device right now at Amazon and make the most of the Kindle Unlimited offer. It's also available at Amazon UK and Amazon Canada. Orders will start shipping on July 24.

Talk about bucking the trend Amazon is notifying customers today that on October 27 the company will eliminate their Windows 8-era Kindle app from the Windows Store. The company cites wanting to "simplify our approach" and focus efforts on their existing Kindle for PC app.

That's right. While many businesses are moving towards Microsoft's Universal Windows Platform for both security and higher visibility, Amazon would rather go back to a traditional Win32 Desktop app complete with an .exe installer.

Let's rock it like it's 2005.

Below is the entire email forwarded to us by Benjamin K.,

We haven't reported on an update for Amazon Kindle for PC since 2013.

While we have heard of companies leaving the Windows Store, few sought refuge in the old Win32 era app world. Then again, it would seem that the majority of Kindle reading is done on dedicated Kindle readers these days and not so much on PCs (though we could be wrong). It is especially weird since an Amazon Kindle UWP app with Inking support for Surface users (highlighting, notetaking) seems like a natural combination for students, teachers, and general bibliophiles.

As to whether Amazon will take their Win32 app and put it through Centennial to at least get some Windows Store visibility remains to be seen. One thing is for sure and that is Amazon is not down with Microsoft or putting their services on the Windows Store.

Interestingly, Amazon has not said anything about their Windows Phone 8 Kindle app, which is still on the Store. It is not clear if that app will ever see another update or if it too will be removed. As to why the company won't just create one app for both PC and Mobile using UWP, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

You can grab the Kindle for PC app on Amazon's site.

Thanks, Ben and Jared, for the tip!

Amazon has launched its Kindle Unlimited rental service in India, giving customers in the country the ability to choose from over 1 million titles for just ₹199 ($3) a month. Amazon is sweetening the deal by offering the first month of membership for ₹99 ($1.5).

You don't require a Kindle e-reader or tablet to enjoy the service, as you can subscribe and read on any Windows PC using the Kindle app. While the service is noticeably more affordable when compared to the $9.99 Amazon charges for US customers, it is likely because of the reduced selection of books available.

Currently, the catalog is limited to recent releases by well-known Indian authors, followed by a few international best-sellers and a host of self-help and management books. At this stage, the service is just not that alluring, unless you're an avid fan of Chetan Bhagat.

Those who opt for six months and yearly subscriptions can get in on the action for ₹166 and ₹149 respectively, but we strongly suggest you sign up for a month and see if any of the books on your to-do list are available. We couldn't find any that are worthy of consideration, but if you come across a few decent titles, let us know in the comments below.

• Subscribe to Amazon Kindle Unlimited in India (₹99 first month)
• Download Kindle from the Windows 10 Store

Amazon has finally brought across its Kindle Unlimited service to the UK, which launched in the US back in July. The service offers consumers unlimited e-book enjoyment for £7.99 a month, granting access to over 650,000 digital books, as well as thousands of audiobooks from Audible.

The online retailer will have Kindle Unlimited logos on eligible titles, which can be read for free by those with an active subscription. Popular titles like the Hunger Games, Lord of the Rings and others are available with Kindle Unlimited. It's a neat concept and one we can see many utilizing. The best part is Kindle Unlimited can be deployed on all supported hardware.

Check out Kindle Unlimited on the Amazon UK website for more details. There's a 30-day trial to get you started.

• Download Kindle for Windows Phone

Amazon has today announced a new ebook rental service called Kindle Unlimited. The new service enables consumers to choose from over 600,000 books, listen to thousands of audiobooks from Audible and more for just $9.99 a month. Think of it as a music streaming package, but for books with Amazon.

The online retailer will have Kindle Unlimited logos on eligible titles, which can be read for free by those with an active subscription. Popular titles like the Hunger Games, Lord of the Rings and others are available with Kindle Unlimited. It's a neat concept and one we can see many utilizing. Amazon will be bundling a three-month subscription to Audible too.

There's also a free 30-day trial, should you be interested. Find the press release below. You can download the Kindle app from the Windows Phone Store to try the service now.

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 18, 2014-- (NASDAQ:AMZN)—Amazon.com today introduced Kindle Unlimited—a new subscription service which allows customers to freely read as much as they want from over 600,000 Kindle books, and listen as much as they want to thousands of Audible audiobooks, all for only $9.99 a month. Finding a great book is easy, and there are never any due dates—just look for the Kindle Unlimited logo on eligible titles and click "Read for Free."

Customers can choose from best sellers like The Hunger Games, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and The Lord of the Rings, and with thousands of professionally narrated audiobooks from Audible, like The Handmaid's Tale and Water for Elephants, the story can continue in the car or on the go. Kindle Unlimited subscribers also get the additional benefit of a complimentary three-month Audible membership, with access to the full selection of Audible titles. Kindle Unlimited is available starting today and is accessible from Kindle devices or with Amazon's free Kindle reading apps. Start your free 30-day trial today at www.amazon.com/ku-freetrial.

"With Kindle Unlimited, you won't have to think twice before you try a new author or genre—you can just start reading and listening," said Russ Grandinetti, Senior Vice President, Kindle. "In addition to offering over 600,000 eBooks, Kindle Unlimited is also by far the most cost-effective way to enjoy audiobooks and eBooks together. With thousands of Whispersync for Voice-enabled audiobooks to choose from, you can easily switch between reading and listening to a book, allowing the story to continue even when your eyes are busy. We hope you take advantage of the 30-day free trial and try it for yourself."

Kindle Unlimited features include:

For more details on Kindle Unlimited, visit www.amazon.com/kindleunlimited.

Flipkart eBooks is an eBooks service from Flipkart, India’s leading online retailer. Not indulging with their own devices like Amazon Kindle, Flipkart eBooks is almost a similar ecosystem with an eBooks store and mobile apps for all platforms.

The Flipkart eBooks app for Windows Phone just got a major overhaul that addresses issues that a lot of users faced apart from a design refresh and new features.

The version 2.0.0.0 fixes the Reader and download issues that a lot of users complained about. The new design is very impressive and functional. The Store experience too is revamped, and the entire user experience of the app has gone several notches up. The update also introduces collections in library and the ability to use Google account for login.

The app allows you to purchase your favorite eBooks from the extensive catalogue at the Flipkart eBooks store from within the app, and read them on the go through the app, even when you're offline. Like the samples that Amazon Kindle store offers, you can read 10% of the book for free before buying it.

Download the Flipkart eBooks app for free for Windows Phone 8 devices from the Windows Phone Store.

Remember that only users in India can download full eBooks from this app. If you are not tied into the Amazon ecosystem, give it a whirl and let us know how you like it. There are thousands of free books on the store, so it’s not a bad deal.

Microsoft has a fairly strong ecosystem when it comes to content. You’ve got Xbox Music and Video for your entertainment needs. However, there’s no solid reading ecosystem in place with them. Which is fine, because Amazon’s Kindle platform is tough to beat in both price and convenience. With Kindle you’re also buying into an ecosystem where your content is available on nearly any device you can think of – including Windows Phone. The app for Windows Phone was just updated today. Let’s check out what’s new.

The last update for Kindle on Windows Phone came out nearly a year ago last January. With it came support for double wide tiles and resolution support for higher-end devices. However, it lacked fast-app resume and other features we’d like to see in a Kindle app on Windows Phone. That was update 2.0, so what’s new in version 2.0.0.5 that just came out today?

• Fast app resume
• Live tile with book progress
• New wide tile image
• Fixed: books loading blank pages
• Fixed: Kindle Store links

Fast app resume is finally here in the app. Which is something we’ve been wanting for nearly a year. It works as advertised and we haven’t had any issues with it during the few moments we spent poking around the app. The new live tile with book progress is nice. It’s a feature that helps show off the strengths of the Windows Phone platform and we’re glad to see it come to Kindle. The app also has some bug fixes pertaining to the app previously loading black pages and broken Kindle Store links.

Download the update and let us know what you think!

Amazon Kindle for Windows Phone is free and available in the Windows Phone Store. You can also use the QR code below to download it or swipe to the right in our app.  

Thanks for the tip David!

Today the Amazon Kindle app for Windows 8 received a plentiful update, delivering a more enjoyable reading experience for the user. Book lovers can now search inside books, sample recommended books, and enjoy easier in-book navigation.

The update also delivers a newly redesign home screen; the previous was a collection of your entire library collection and a link to the Kindle store. The new interface showcases your recently read books and a view of recommended titles from the Kindle store; from there, you can click into either sections to see more.

In-book navigation is now easier with a dedicated bookmark button and return to library button integrated into the page. Swiping up reveals a quick search bar for looking up content within the book and a redesigned notes window with filtering.

Lastly, Amazon has updated the application with a live tile that displays the current book you are enjoying. As with any live title, this can be disabled if you don’t want your friends to see you are reading Fifty Shades of Grey.

if you want to learn more about reading on Windows 8, check out our latest article here.

To download the Amazon Kindle App from the Windows Store, click here.

Are you a bookworm – what have you been reading recently?

While many readers still embrace the paper pages of a book, others have moved on to the embrace of an electronic ink or LCD display. Amazon was the first company to push eBooks into the mainstream market in 2007. Today, many readers choose to pick up a tablet, cellular phone, or dedicated eInk device to dive into a world of adventure. We are taking a look at the top three eBook reading apps (Kindle, Nook, and Kobo) for Windows 8 and Windows RT devices.

Kindle

Amazon still clutches onto first place with its range of electronic ink reading devices and suite of Kindle apps. Opening the Windows 8 application throws you into a grid list of your eBook library that can be sorted alphabetically or by your most recently read content. Switching between content on your device and content stored in the cloud is only a click away.

The Kindle Store itself mimics the layout that we have seen on the Kindle Fire HD; it is easy to find new content, locate specific genres, and see personal recommendations.

Reading within the Kindle app is a pleasant experience as you swipe or tap your way through a novel. We did enjoy the added features including note highlights and quick dictionary definition look ups. There were times that the application detected a swipe or tap as a dictionary look up, but it was easy to note the mistake being made and correct our actions. It is my personal hope that Amazon works on a better way to detect swipes and taps.

Overall: The Kindle app has a large selection of eBooks and a super easy UI that allows readers to get to all their content quickly. The Kindle app also has the most unique feature set and dictionary definition lookups should not be underrated.

You can grab the Kindle app here.

UPDATE: Since this article, a new version of the Amazon Kindle app with a brand new UI has been published; click here to learn more.

Nook

The Nook app opens up to display your “Daily Shelf”, a five item collection of your latest content. The application design is a nice bright refresher compared to Amazon’s dark Kindle UI. Users can scroll to the right to access more of their collection or start browsing content from the store. Unlike the Kindle UI, which tucks the store away until you need it, the Nook app’s start screen is a mixture of your content and what Barnes and Nobles hopes will soon be your content.

The Nook store has a vibrant collection of media including books, magazines, and comics. Amazon has begun to introduce comic book content into their store, but for now – Nook has the edge. That being said, we recommend using comiXology’s app for comic book reading.

Reading with Nook is also enjoyable. The application has a page slide animations which pushes pages out of the way; while more beautiful, I find the animations a bit distracting after an extended reading period.

We also enjoy the fact that the Nook app’s settings allow for a “Publish Defaults” option; it is easy to switch on, and almost always seems to format an eBook perfectly.

We did not like the fact that columns could not manually be adjusted for reading within the application. The Nook app automatically selects a number of columns for you based on your text size – for me, this is a deal breaker and makes reading not as comfortable.

Overall: The Nook’s UI is a welcomed change from the dark Kindle UI and offers a beautiful layout. If you insist on integrating comics and books in the same app, Nook has you covered. We enjoyed the option to switch on “Publish Defaults” for text, but the inability to select the number of reading columns - just might be a deal breaker.

You can grab the Nook app here.

Kobo

The Kobo ecosystem might be considered a much smaller player next to Amazon’s Kindle and Barnes & Noble’s Nook, but it still provides a great selection of content.

Kobo’s app start screen mimics the simplistic design of the Kindle app with similar store integration as seen in the Nook app.

Navigation between areas is cumbersome as the developer decided to ditch Microsoft’s guidelines, and buried the nav bar inside the settings panel; this is extremely disappointing as the rest of the application, including the reading experience, feels great.

Navigation within your eBooks takes a slight turn from the Kindle and Nook apps as you are only allowed to tap through pages – no swiping for Kobo. The app does include an option for publisher defaults which we enjoyed.

Overview: The Kobo app creates a great alternative for readers who don’t want to feed into the Kindle or Nook machines. The content selection for books is still vast, and reading is enjoyable. We would like the option to swipe through our content though. Also, a redesign of the navigation is a must.

You can grab the Kobo app here.

For more information about reading eBooks on your Windows 8 tablet – stay tuned to Windows Phone Central. For more information about reading paper books – ask your grandmother.

Are you a bookworm - how do you consume your content?

P.S.- Any fellow nerds can join me on GoodReads by clicking here.

Windows Phone Central App Roundup: eReaders

We have a mixed bag of Windows Phone reader apps for this weeks Windows Phone Central App Roundup. We have one of the cornerstones in electronic reading, an audio book centerpiece, one that doubles down, and one that is more genre specific.

These apps not only come in handy for those who like books but also for those looking for something to pass the time with other than games. There's a healthy selection of readers in the Windows Phone Store and we tapped four that stood out by name, reputation and ratings.

If we've overlooked your favorite Windows Phone reader app, feel free to spill the beans below in the comments.

Manga Reader (free): Manga Reader is a graphic novel reader for the popular Japanese comic book genre. There are sixteen sources of Manga content that access thousands of titles.

You can search the libraries by keyword, stream content or download the publications for off-line use.

Additional features of Manga Reader include marking publications as favorites for quicker access, pinning titles to your Start Screen and Single or Continuous viewer modes.

If Manga series is your cup of tea, it might be worth checking out the Manga Reader. It's a free app for your Windows Phone 7.x and 8 device and you can find Manga Reader here in the Windows Phone Store.

OverDrive Media Console (free): OverDrive Media Console is a Windows Phone app that lets you download eBooks and audiobooks from over 18,000 libraries worldwide.

You can search for libraries by address, zip code or region. Once you locate a library it can be added to your Library List. Just tap on the library listing to access that libraries digital collection.

From there you use your valid library card and download the audiobook or eBook. And don't worry about over due books. The title automatically expires in the app after the lending period.

Your progress through eBooks and audiobooks is saved so you can jump right in where you left off at, a sleep timer is available for audiobooks and email alerts to notify you when titles become available.

OverDrive Media Console is a free app for your Windows Phone 7.x and 8 device. You can find OverDrive Media Console here in the Windows Phone Store.

Audible-Audiobooks (free): As you can guess, Audible-Audiobooks taps into Audible.com's vast library of titles and delivers them to your Windows Phone.

You'll need an Audible.com membership to dig into the library of audible books. You can set up an account through the app or from the Audible.com website. If you're on the fence, the app includes access to eight excerpts from various authors to let you get a feel for things.

From there, all you need to do is sign up for the free membership and browse the Audible Mobile Store. Audible book's range in price from a few dollars on up and there are free titles scattered about.

Titles are downloaded to your phone and Audible-Audiobooks tracks your listening stats, and badge progress (achievements). You also have bookmarks, sleep timers and audio commands to help in your audiobook experience.

Audible-Audiobooks is a free app that you can find here in the Windows Phone Store.  It's available for both Windows Phone 7.x and 8 devices.

Amazon Kindle (free): You really can't discuss eReaders without mentioning the Amazon Kindle app. With over a million eBooks in the library, Kindle has become a cornerstone in mobile reading.

Features for the Kindle Windows Phone app include:

• Amazon's Whispersync that automatically syncs your Kindle books across apps to let you start reading on your Windows Phone and finish up on your laptop or tablet running the Kindle app.
• A progress indicator is but a tap away to display how much of the book you've read.
• Along with the pay titles, the Kindle library contains thousands of free book titles.

The Kindle app does require membership but you can use your Amazon.com membership to log-in as well. The Amazon Kindle app is laid out nicely but it's weak point has to be the access to the Kindle Store. You basically are sent to the Amazon.com website to sift through the library. I found it far easier to purchase books from a desktop/laptop and then sync your library to your Windows Phone. It's not a deal killer but an area Amazon can definitely improve upon.

The Amazon Kindle app is a free app for your Windows Phone 8 and 7.x device. You can find Amazon Kindle here in the Windows Phone Store.

Electronic readers, be it audio or eBooks, are a great way to keep in touch with books while on the go.  Of the group, I like how the OverDrive Media Console taps into your local library collections to help with the cost of electronic titles.  Amazon Kindle's strength is the versatility or mobility of being able to switch devices and not lose track of your place in the story.  

I'll be honest and admit that I know about as much about Manga comics as I do about giving a Formula One race car a tune-up.  However, first impressions of the Manga Reader are good.  Audible-Audiobooks comes in just behind the Kindle app but I suspect Kindle's library is a tad larger (could be wrong).

We've only scratched the surface on what all is available in the Windows Phone Store.  You have comic book (or should I say graphic novels) readers, religious oriented readers as well as the more literary apps (fiction, non-fiction, sci-fi, etc). The one app I would have like to have included in this roundup was DC Comics but they got cold feet and jumped ship.

Electronic readers for our Windows Phones may not tickle everyone's fancy and if we've missed your favorite, please share in the comments.

Amazon has rolled out version 2 of their popular Kindle app for Windows Phone devices. The update comes without a changelog but was long overdue as their last app change came with version 1.2 way back in July. That update brought ‘Mango’ support including Live Tiles for books and this one goes along the same path but for Windows Phone 8.

The good news is if you’re on Windows Phone 8, the app now supports all resolutions and doublewide Tiles, including those for books, which is a neat twist. They will even flip to display some information, including the last book you read and where you are in a current tome.

The app is listed as Windows Phone 8 only though, which means for those on 7.x you can still download version 1.2 but you won’t be getting the new look (or of course doublewide Tiles).

Speaking of that new look, Amazon has gone for a more barebones logo with version 2.0, though it is only skin deep as it is merely on the Tiles and not within the app itself. The new logo is orange with ‘kindle’ emblazoned across, keeping the design simple and bold (we like). The app though still looks exactly like version 1.2.

Surprisingly, Amazon did not opt for a fast-resume, meaning if you tap the Tile of an already “tombstoned” app in the background it won’t continue as is but will instead re-launch the app. Hopefully Amazon can improve upon that in a future update as such functionality is crucial to the Windows Phone 8 experience.

Other than the look and doublewide tiles, we haven’t found too many differences. There still is neither search ability nor read-aloud function, making this app still lighter in features than its counterparts on other platforms. Still, we’re hearing that for some people some bugs have been alleviated with this release for syncing and opening of books, so that’s a start.

Edit: Make sure you do a "clean install" meaning you uninstall the app then re-install it,otherwise it will crash.

Windows Phone 8 users can grab version 2.0 of Amazon Kindle here in the Store. Thanks, Seth H., for the tip!

We’ve heard quite a lot of complaints about the official Kindle app for Windows Phone having some stability issues of late. We prefer our Kindle PaperWhite for reading of e-books but we understand many of you do prefer your phone.

The good news is a super minor update has just been pushed out to the Store and we hear fixes the crashing issue on Windows Phone 8 handsets, specifically during startup. The update brings the popular eReader up to version 1.2.0.1. For what it’s worth, the app is working just fine on Lumia 920 so hopefully the rest of you will fare as well. The last update was for version 1.2 back in July.

Update: Here is the changelog

• Fixes crashes at startup
• Fixes crashing bugs when opening certain books

You can pick up Amazon Kindle for Windows Phone here in the Store. Let us know in comments if you're still having problems. Thanks, Aron W. and Terry H., for the tip!

Suppliers in Asia have apparently spilled the beans on Microsoft's production line plans for its coming Surface devices.

If the information is to be believed, MS have put in component orders to ensure they are able to produce 3 to 5 million of the devices for the fourth quarter. With such an order Microsoft looks set to go into mass production rather than just produce a limited run as some speculated on.

According to the WSJ, an order of this magnitude is similar to that which was placed for Google’s Nexus 7 devices. They report that full scale production of the Surface started in full earlier this month. Unlike say the Nexus 7 or the iPad, Surface will come in ARM versions as well as Pro versions with Intel chips which means those component orders have to fill a variety of models. Still, its good to hear that MS isn’t going to produce the tablets on a limited run.

We have now seen the start of the teaser videos for Surface start to appear, along with those infamous urban art style graffiti paintings. With Microsoft set to spend a record amount of money on advertising Windows 8 and its Surface products there is no doubt they have every intention of fulfilling their promise to make a mark as a devices and services company. If they want to be a devices company, well, they have to make enough of them to go around.

Windows 8 represents a radical departure for the company, both in terms of how it defines its operating system and how it marries software, hardware and services. It’s a bold and risky move but the closer we move towards launch time the clearer the picture is coming together. A hero Windows 8 device to show off the OS, shops to sell them in, popup stores to help satisfy demand and a drive for one cohesive eco-system.  

It will be a very interesting holiday season, Microsoft are entering a complex market filled with Kindle, Nexus and iPads (and the upcoming mini). We think they have a good chance of turning the tablet market on its head and hearing of such mass production eases our fears of limited availability.

Source: Wall Street Journal

Yesterday, Amazon announced new Kindle devices one of which may give Microsoft's Surface RT a bit of competition. The Kindle Fire HD 8.9-inch is due to ship on November 20th and start at $299 and top out at $599 (64GB 4G LTE model).  The Surface RT is rumored to become available at the end of October and pricing is still a mystery.

The Kindle Fire HD will sport an 8.9" 1920 x 1200 touchscreen at 254 PPI (there's also a 7" model that starts at $199). The tablet is powered by a TI OMAP 4470 processor and Imagination SGX544 graphics engine. You have a few options to choose from with the Kindle Fire HD 8.9-inch. There is the 16GB and 32GB models with Wifi as well as 32GB and 64GB models with 4G LTE.

The interesting thing with the 4G LTE models is that Amazon will offer a 250MB monthly data plans for $49.99 per year. You may not think that 250MB is a lot of data for a tablet but if you manage things carefully and use Wifi when possible, it might be just enough.

So how does this all impact the Microsoft Surface RT? For starters if you're wanting 4G connectivity, the Surface won't have that feature initially. The Surface will have a slightly larger screen at 10.6" but at a lower resolution (rumored to be 1280x720 139 PPI but could be as high as 1366×768--Microsoft has not confirmed). The Surface RT models have either 32GB or 64GB and will have the advantages of GPS and NFC.

The two devices are very similar and may take some of the wind out of the iPad dominance. Amazon is a respectable company that is putting a lot of support and effort behind the Kindle line. For those not familiar, think of how Nokia is promoting the Lumia Windows Phone line with exclusive content and you'll come close to the efforts Amazon is putting behind the Kindle.  On the other side of the coin, Microsoft isn't a slouch in promoting their products either.

Which is better? It may be a tougher call than you think and may come down to personal needs and budget.  I can see the Kindle Fire HD being very attractive if the Surface RT comes in at $500.  If we see the Surface RT start at $199 then the decision could get a little more difficult.

Given the choice, which would you choose? Or is this more an apples/oranges comparison?

Amazon & Android. New competition or just hype?

Amazon, the online retailer we all know and love, are testing a smartphone. According to reports, sources within companies who supply hardware for Amazon's upcoming handset have confirmed that testing of said device is already underway, with production set to take place later this year or early 2013.

With what we've seen with the Kindle Fire tablet, it's a strong possibility that the online giant could well be using Google's Android OS to power their new hardware, which could then be sold under the Kindle brand. What's interesting to note, probably only from a Windows Phone point-of-view, is that Brandon Watson is currently at Amazon working away on the Kindle. Could he be collaborating with the company on a new smartphone after leaving Microsoft?

The WSJ reports that Amazon's smartphone has a display size sitting in the region between 4 and 5 inches - a perfect size to compete with the likes of the TITAN II and Galaxy S 3. It'll be interesting should Amazon choose to go with Android and launch a smartphone, since the platform is pack full of competitive companies, not to mention the established iPhone, BlackBerries, Windows Phones, etc. 

But what if they didn't choose Android? Let's not forget about Mozilla's Firefox OS. A 2013 smartphone release would fit in with Mozilla's plans for world domination kicking off next year. Then again, as we've asked before, will Firefox OS actually take off? It wouldn't make sense for Amazon to put eggs in a basket that's yet to prove itself.

We'll be sure to keep a close eye on the online retailer. What do you guys think of Amazon's plans? Let us know in the comments.

Source: WSJ, via: ITProPortal

As many of you may have noticed, two somewhat major apps for Windows Phone received updates in the last 24 hours, so we’ll pass on the news in case you missed it.

First up is Facebook, which has been receiving quite a few updates lately, generally a good sign…unless you consider everything so broke that it needs even more fixing. The last update was just a week ago for version 2.6 and now version 2.7  has landed in the Marketplace bringing with it some new fixes though no new features:

• Notifications now show updated time instead of created time
• Corrected thumbnail display on likes
• Now respecting except clause on posts with custom privacy settings

That’s nothing terribly exciting though if you were experiencing any of those issues, hopefully you’ll be a bit pleased with the update.

Next up is Amazon’s Kindle ebook app. That app is now on version 1.2 which shows you how often that one gets updated (seriously, it has had one update in the last year). The good news here is this update is more significant:

• Mango compliant including fast app switching, multi-tasking
• Available in more regions, including Japan, Portugal, Brazil, Poland, Sweden and presumably other areas too [Forum]
• Books are pinnable to start screen with 2 sided Live Tile

That’s some pretty cool stuff by Amazon and we’re hear they’re being quite proactive with customer support, see this post about a personal phone call from the company.

Should you wish to grab either app, you can pick up the official Facebook app here and the Amazon Kindle app here in the Windows Phone Marketplace. Thanks, everyone, for the tips and sab742 for the images

Good news folks as Amazon's Kindle app has finally hit the Marketplace. Well, they said "by the holidays" and though they're a few days late, we'll accept the ever so slight delay.

Considering the Kindle was one of the top selling gadgets of 2010, we're betting many of you got one for the holidays, making this app a natrual extension. What's cool of course about Kindle is the fact it keeps all your periodicals synced up, meaning you can read your Kindle then pick up your phone and continue that newspaper from right where you left off.

Our initial impression? It's pretty, darn pretty. And we like it.

Anyways, grab it here now.

via: ZDnet/@palmsolo & @derbrotkasten

There are a number of applications that lend themselves perfectly to a Smartphone; Ebook readers are toward the top of the list. Though many of us would still prefer having a physical book in hand, the convenience offered by having a dozen different books readily available on your Smartphone is tough to argue with.

One of the largest players in the Ebook (and traditional book) market announced their support for Windows Phone 7 at Microsoft’s PDC (Professional Developer’s Conference) this week in Redmond. Amazon’s Kindle app (no relation to WP7 heavy hitter Charlie Kindel) is one of the premier platforms for Ebooks available. Kindle for Windows Phone will support Amazon’s Whispersync technology which allows you to keep your place in a book across devices.

The Kindle app is “Coming Soon” to the Marketplace. More details are available from Amazon. View the PDC Day 1 keynote here.

Source: The Windows Phone Developer Blog

Update: YouTube Video after the jump. Thanks to Tom Warren for the link.