Amazon adds multimedia content to Kindle apps

Online retail giant Amazon.com released updated editions of its Kindle ereader applications for Apple's iPhone and iPad, expanding beyond conventional text content to introduce embedded video and audio functionality. According to Amazon, the first titles to incorporate multimedia content include Rick Steves' London (which now features embedded walking tours narrated by the author) and Rose Levy Beranbaum's Rose's Heavenly Cakes (which incorporates video tips on preparing the perfect cake). About a dozen audio/video-enhanced titles are now available in Amazon's Kindle Store.

Last week, Amazon reduced the price of its Kindle ereader device from $259 to $189, making the move hours after bookseller chain Barnes & Noble said it will cut the cost of its rival nook 3G unit from $259 to $199. First introduced in late 2007, the 10.2 ounce Kindle enables consumers to download books, magazines, newspapers and related content via a 3G network connection--Amazon's Kindle Store now includes over 600,000 titles, including 109 of 112 New York Times Bestsellers and new releases from $9.99. Kindle also touts over 1.8 million free, out-of-copyright, pre-1923 books. The device is Amazon's bestselling item overall.

For more on the Kindle app upgrade:
- read this release

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