Amazon just launched an update to its Kindle for iOS app, introducing a bunch of new features, including a book browser for iPad, a new welcome experience, Goodreads integration, “Next in Series” info, book detail pages in the library, and Audible Progressive Play.
With the browser feature, Kindle Unlimited subscribers can now browse over 700,000 books, and start reading them without leaving the app. Amazon launched Kindle Unlimited back in the summer. It’s basically the company’s Netflix for reading. Users can tap on a book cover to display a detail page that provides the book description and customer reviews. The Browser also gives users the ability to search for any title from Amazon’s catalog of Kindle books.
The new welcome experience lets new users select their favorite genres, rate books they’ve read, and choose books they want to read. It will provide personalized book sample suggestions (powered by Goodreads) to download and read for free.
“Goodreads customers can now share reading progress updates, highlights, and more from inside the Kindle book they are reading,” says Amazon. “Once connected (click on the Settings icon in the bottom right hand corner of the Library or Home page, then click on Social Network and select Goodreads to link accounts), customers can share reading progress updates using the new [g] button in the reader controls; share quotes on Goodreads, Facebook or Twitter; or rate and review a book on Goodreads and Amazon from the ‘Before You Go’ screen at the end of a book.”
Users who finish a book in a series can learn about the next book, and add it to their wish list from the ‘Before You Go’ screen.
Additionally, book details can now be viewed by long pressing a book cover in the library and selecting “Book Details.” Users will see a synopsis of the book, Amazon reviews, etc.
With the Audible Progressive Play feature, you can start playing audiobooks as they’re downloading. They can be played once you’ve downloaded past your current reading location.
The Goodreads blog has more on the Goodreads integration.
Last week, Amazon announced its best-selling books of the year.
Image via Goodreads
