Amazon Says Kindle App for Android Coming This Summer

From PC World: Amazon has simplified the e-book reading experience by launching apps on nearly every mobile device, and now it has bridged the final gap with Kindle for Android, due later this summer. Pair this news with rumors of an enhanced Kindle 3 and it is evident Amazon intends on giving Apple's iBooks -- and everybody else -- a healthy challenge and perhaps provide a beat down of epic proportions.

First off, Kindle lovers and Android users have a big reason to celebrate this announcement, as they'll be the only ones capable of buying over 540,000 eBooks in app (all other Kindle apps require visiting the Amazon Web site to purchase). Though visiting Amazon.com isn't that big a deal, this feature cuts out the hassle of launching a browser to buy a book.

The New York Times found dozens of new job listings on the Lab126 site, which lists Kindle-related employment opportunities. The descriptions are somewhat vague and don't point to any specific technologies that may or may not be integrated into the alleged Kindle 3, so don't expect to nab specs. For instance, a Software Quality Assurance Engineer is responsible for "Execution of functional testing in all aspects of the device, including user interface, hardware/software integration, and key product metrics."

The iPad presents a direct threat to Amazon, and the latter seeks to prove -- through potential innovation and app integration -- that the Kindle is the best device to read eBooks on, as well as providing a few distractions. Still, with over half a million eBooks available on its store -- not including public domain titles -- Amazon has a leg-up on other retailers (for now). And without a list of specific technologies to work with, it's unclear what, precisely, Amazon has up its sleeve.

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