Kindle for PC App Now Available From Amazon

In Amazon Expanding Market for Kindle Books to 1 Billion PC Users (Nov. 1, 2009), we reported that Amazon was expected to release a free software application this month that will allow users to read Kindle editions of books, on their PCs. The Kindle for PC app is now available. See today's press release from Amazon.com. Here's the link to the app's download page.

TeleRead's David Rothman reports on his test drive of the Kindle for PC app. See his Quick test drive: Kindle for PC looks promising—but is no match for Mobipocket in flexibility. And how about ePub? Do note his caveat:

Regardless of the Amazon app’s positives I’ll still be wary of all things Kindle due to the proprietary format and DRM. If you’re interested in building a library of books from large publishers, then you’d be better off with the Sony Reader or the B&N Nook—at least if plans work out and Sony and B&N and Adobe can execute a common DRM scheme for ePub books. Even then, if you really value permanence, then stick to paper books or the nonDRMed variety.

[JH]