Amazon has introduced the Mac version of its Kindle software today, expanding the platforms on which it is available to include PCs, Macs, the Kindle device, iPhones and BlackBerrys.
The software is available for free via Amazon, and lets users purchase and read e-books on their computers. Amazon offers 450,000 titles via the Kindle Store.
Additionally, Amazon said an iPad Kindle app would be available in April.
Despite selling a standalone e-reader device, Amazon says e-book sales are much more profitable, so Kindle sales are not top priority. However, Amazon remains the market leader for e-book sales and e-readers.
Result for: market
Google has told MobileCrunch today that the Android Market has reached a new milestone, 30,000 applications.
The company last reported figures in December of last year, claiming 16,000 apps.
Although they would not include numbers on paid versus free, stat site AndroLib says the ratio is about 39 percent to 61 percent, with free in the clear lead.
In comparison, the Apple app store has about 150,000 apps currently available, with both markets growing very quickly.
Result for: market
BrokeMyController has reported this week on a newly discovered Microsoft patent, one that will bring about automated DLC purchasing system to the Xbox 360.
The patent would work as follows: You and friends are on Xbox Live and one of your buddies asks you to join a game for multiplayer. Unfortunately you don’t have the latest map pack DLC. The new system would send up a prompt screen, asking that you purchase the DLC to accept your friend’s invite. Hit “yes” and the DLC will download and install, without the need to head over to the Marketplace, and you can get back to playing the game with your buddies.
Currently, if you are invited to a game for which you are missing DLC, you are “required to back out of the commenced multiplayer session, manually locate the desired content, purchase the content, install the content, relocate the inviting players, prepare his own request to join their game,” says the source, which is clearly a hassle.
The full patent here: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20100056268.pdf
