Users can now read their digitally downloaded books from any Chrome or Safari browser, without the need to install a special app or software program.
Amazon has launched a new online platform called Kindle Cloud Reader, which acts similarly to the existing Kindle apps but everything is done through the cloud rather than local storage.
The service also sports the same pick-up-where-you-left-off feature as every other Kindle offering. The hook with this latest service is that it works only with HTML5, not Flash, so users have to load it in Chrome or Safari.
“We are excited to take this leap forward in our ‘Buy Once, Read Everywhere’ mission and help customers access their library instantly from anywhere. We have written the application from the ground up in HTML5, so that customers can also access their content offline directly from their browser. The flexibility of HTML5 allows us to build one application that automatically adapts to the platform you’re using—from Chrome to iOS,” said Kindle director Dorothy Nicholls in a statement.
In addition to expanding the Kindle’s presence online, this latest move also emphasizes Amazon’s push to cloud services.
Earlier this year, the online retail giant launched its own cloud-based storage system, Amazon Cloud Drive, allowing users to upload important files and documents to access from any Internet-connected computer at any time.
Additionally, Amazon also offers a Cloud Music Player app on Web browsers and Android, which lets users buy or upload MP3 tracks and can play them back without ever needing to worry about saving or transferring the individual music files.
