Amazon releases a bookstore app for the Ipad

ONLINE BOOKSELLER Amazon has launched an app designed specifically for Apple's Ipad tablet.

Ironically titled Amazon Windowshop, the free app is a version of Amazon.com built for the Ipad. Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos said in a statement that it will offer the same selection, prices and delivery as an Amazon Prime membership.

It has an interface designed specifically for lean-back, touchscreen tablets. Using a multi-touch interface, shoppers can scroll through 40 different categories from left to right.

Products specific to each section are listed vertically. If you touch the screen the app will zoom in on a desired product and allow you to browse audio and video previews.

When zeroed-in on a certain item, you can add the item to the shopping cart or purchase it with one touch.

While you can buy ordinary books without much problem, it is a lot harder to use the Windowshop app to buy an e-book for the Kindle app.

You have to go to the Kindle store in a Safari window, but once it is done it sends the e-book directly to your Kindle app. µ