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Amazon launches Instant Video app for Apple's iPad

The Amazon streaming video app for Apple's iPad is seen in Los Angeles August 1, 2012. Amazon.com launched the video application for Apple's iPad on Wednesday, the latest effort by the world's largest retailer to get its digital content on as many gadgets as possible. REUTERS/Sam Mircovich

The Amazon streaming video app for Apple's iPad is seen in Los Angeles August 1, 2012. Amazon.com launched the video application for Apple's iPad on Wednesday, the latest effort by the world's largest retailer to get its digital content on as many gadgets as possible.

Credit: Reuters/Sam Mircovich

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By Alistair Barr

Wed Aug 1, 2012 3:36pm EDT

(Reuters) - Amazon.com Inc launched a video application for Apple Inc's iPad on Wednesday, the latest effort by the world's largest retailer to get its digital content on as many gadgets as possible.

The Amazon Instant Video app lets users stream or download movies and TV shows bought or rented from Amazon on their iPads. Amazon has more than 120,000 videos to rent or buy, it noted.

Members of Amazon Prime, a free shipping program which costs $79 a year, can also stream more than 20,000 videos for free and the new iPad app gives these customers access to this content too, the company said.

By trying to get its digital music and video on as many gadgets as possible, Amazon is replicating a strategy that paid off for its Kindle e-book business.

(Reporting By Alistair Barr; Editing by Gerald E. McCormick and Tim Dobbyn)
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Comments (1)
DEWacht wrote:
Amazon’s app for iPad is lacking in two big ways vs. Kindle devices. First, Amazon Instant Video can stream or download to a Kindle Fire. For the iPad its stream only. Not an option at 30K feet. Second, the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library requires a Kindle device and does not work with an iPad.

I had a Kindle and after using it head-to-head with the iPad, I sold it. I prefer the iPad and these two misses significantly undermine the value of an Amazon Prime membership. I’ll be canceling when the 30 day free trial is up.

Aug 02, 2012 6:05pm EDT  --  Report as abuse
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