The samples can be opened up in the browser using Amazon’s Cloud Reader companion app, or you can choose to open them in the Kindle app if you have it installed on your iPad. You can buy with one click on those pages, and also have one tap access to a sample of each title. The details pages for individual books look as good or perhaps a bit better than they do at Amazon on a desktop browser. You can browse by featured areas (New York Times Bestsellers, New & Noteworthy, Kindle Singles and more), by genres, by Top 100 lists (with lists for the top paid and free titles), or search for whatever you’re after. If you sign in with an Amazon ID it will offer genius-type suggestions based on your purchase history. It features big, bold images, typography that’s nicely optimized for the iPad screen, and easy navigation.
The first time you open the page it will prompt you to create a home screen icon shortcut to it (and annoyingly it will keep doing so even after you’ve done so). Yesterday Amazon launched their Kindle Store for iPad as a standalone web app.
