eBook lending is the wave of the future. Rather than ruin its huge potential to feed millions of readers, Kindle has rolled out a new library lending service that allows Kindle fans to borrow stuff from some 11,000 American libraries. Even better, the same service can be availed of using a smartphone. Once a particular hard or soft bound book is checked in, the user can then access the title in ebook form.
Below is a good chunk of the official press release outed today:
Amazon today announced Kindle Library Lending, a new feature launching later this year that will allow Kindle customers to borrow Kindle books from over 11,000 libraries in the United States. Kindle Library Lending will be available for all generations of Kindle devices and free Kindle reading apps.
“We’re excited that millions of Kindle customers will be able to borrow Kindle books from their local libraries,” said Jay Marine, Director, Amazon Kindle. “Customers tell us they love Kindle for its Pearl e-ink display that is easy to read even in bright sunlight, up to a month of battery life, and Whispersync technology that synchronizes notes, highlights and last page read between their Kindle and free Kindle apps.”
Customers will be able to check out a Kindle book from their local library and start reading on any Kindle device or free Kindle app for Android, iPad, iPod touch, iPhone, PC, Mac, BlackBerry, or Windows Phone. If a Kindle book is checked out again or that book is purchased from Amazon, all of a customer’s annotations and bookmarks will be preserved.
Take a look and our article on Android vs iPhone to see which smartphone and mobile platform is best for you.
Source Engadget