Borrow Amazon Kindle books -- from the library
Amazon today announced that it will soon enable Kindle users (including those using Kindle software on Apple and Android devices) to borrow Kindle books from more than 11,000 libraries across the country.
This is good news for the digital reading platform and helps keep libraries part of the books ecosystem. (Okay, maybe that's a stretch.) The cool tech feature of Amazon's "Kindle Library Lending" service is that you can make digital notes in the e-books you borrow, and the notes are saved. So if you borrow the book again, or choose to buy it, your notes are maintained.
In a printed book, mind you, the library doesn't like it when you write in the margins.
Here's the original Amazon news release, for more details.
FYI -- Amazon is partnering with a service called Overdrive to make Kindle books available through local libraries. There's also an Overdrive app for the Apple iPhone platform that offers a similar service. But iPhone/iPad users also have access to the Kindle app, too.
Comments
This announcement combined with the fact Amazon has NEVER released actual Kindle sales numbers makes me wonder if the B&N Nook and Sony Reader have been cutting into sales because they already have that functionality.
Posted by: Paul | April 21, 2011 11:25 AM
I think this is a wonderful addition to the current kindle. I like the fact that Amazon is constantly making the kindle better by listening to its users and adding new features. I also like the fact that you don't have to buy an upgrade or anything to take advantage of the new features. The Nook and Sony reader users certainly cut into the kindle market, since I doubt anyone would buy both, but I believe they got an inferior product. I could not be happier with my kindle and the service I have received with it.
Posted by: Bev | April 26, 2011 7:58 PM