Amazon.com introduced a free software package Thursday that gives Mac computer users access to the online retailer’s Kindle e-book store in more than 100 countries. Called Kindle for Mac, the beta e-reader completes Amazon’s goal of offering consumers access to e-books and other digital content across a wide spectrum of electronic devices.
Kindle books can now be read on dedicated Kindle and Kindle DX devices, BlackBerry handsets, and PCs, as well as Apple’s Mac, iPhone and iPod touch, Amazon said. Moreover, the company’s e-reader software is expected to work on Apple’s forthcoming iPad.
“Kindle for Mac is the perfect companion application for customers who own a Kindle or Kindle DX,” said Jay Marine, director of Amazon Kindle. “For those customers around the world who don’t yet have a Kindle, Kindle for Mac is a great way to instantly access and read the most popular new releases as well as their old favorites.”
Cross-Platform Support
The system requirements for Kindle for Mac include a Mac computer with a 500-MHz Intel processor or faster, a minimum of 512MB of RAM, and 100MB of available disk space. The beta release, which is compatible with Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) and 10.6 (Snow Leopard), also requires a minimum screen resolution of 800×600 pixels.
Just like Amazon’s other e-reader platforms, Kindle for Mac integrates the company’s homegrown Whispersync technology, which automatically saves and synchronizes bookmarks — and the last page read — across multiple devices. As a result, customers who begin reading an e-book on any compatible device will never lose their place when they switch to another platform.
With Kindle for Mac, readers will be able to choose from 10 different font sizes as well as adjust words on a per-line basis. The new beta release also will enable users to view notes and highlights previously marked…
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