Amazon Kindle iPhone App Review

Own a Kindle for free? No, it's not a scam--it's the Amazon Kindle app for the iPhone, offering all the features of the dedicated e-reader for free. Except its big screen, of course.

I love to read, so when I first heard about the Kindle, I was excited. As someone who's always reading five or six novels at the same time, lugging heavy books around isn't practical in most day-to-day situations. But I didn't like Kindle's hefty $250+ price tag, so I wrote off getting the device. That is, until the Amazon Kindle app popped up in the iTunes store -- for free.

Many popular iPhone applications are available, but the iPhone Kindle app is by far my favorite. I find myself using the Kindle app daily, getting in impromptu reading sessions while waiting for the bus or standing in the grocery store checkout line. As long as you have your phone with you, you'll have books to read when boredom kicks in. By having books at my disposal, I'm getting much more reading done: After having the Kindle app on my iPhone for three months, I read eight books. Without this app, I might've read one novel during that time.

Another feature I like about the Kindle app is the ability to discretely read a book without anyone being the wiser. Whipping out a paperback isn't acceptable during certain situations but if you fiddle with your cell phone, no one blinks an eye. Boring business conference? Keep yourself awake by reading the latest James Patterson novel. Don't worry, we won't tell.

The Kindle app is easy to use--to read a book, simply slide your finger across the screen to the next page. Features include bookmarking, chapter-jumping, WhisperSync (synchronize the app with your actual Kindle), text highlighting, and adding annotations. To get books, download from Amazon.com or purchase directly inside the app, and send to your phone. Over 400,000 titles are currently available, with most books ranging from $7.99 to $9.99. If you're not sure you'll enjoy a title, all books available on Kindle offer free samples to download.

The downsides to this app? Low battery life when compared to the Kindle's one-week battery life, the small screen dimensions, and lack of a search function.

Many of us lead busy lives, with little time to devote to reading books. The Kindle app for iPhone puts life's "down time" -- waiting for an oil change, sitting at the doctor's office-- to good use, allowing you to catch up on some much-needed reading. Since getting this app, I've revived my reading hobby and it's saved me over $250! Kindle for iPhone has my vote for the best iPhone app around.

Download the iPhone Kindle app in the iTunes store.