Amazon releases Kindle for PC

Amazon.com today officially released its free Kindle for PC app, which lets people read Kindle electronic books on Windows-based personal computers. It works with Windows 7, Vista and XP, and Amazon is confirming that a Mac version is on the way (the company told us a few weeks ago it's working on a Kindle BlackBerry app too).

Amazon is building a multi-device strategy for its Kindle business, looking to sell its digital books, newspapers and magazines across a range of gadgets, not just its dedicated Kindle readers. Amazon also has a Kindle app for the iPhone and iPod touch.

One thing I didn't note when Amazon earlier announced plans for the Kindle for PC app: it lets people read in full color, which may improve the experience of reading things like cookbooks, textbooks and graphic novels (Kindle readers only display shades of gray). People using the Kindle app on Windows 7 PCs will have touch-screen — the ability to zoom in and out of text and turn pages with a finger swipe.

Amazon isn't ignoring its Kindle readers, however. The company is heavily promoting the devices going into the holiday season, as are competitors. Barnes & Noble recently delayed the ship date for some pre-orders of its new Nook e-reader, citing high demand.

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