Amazon’s Kindle For iOS App Updated With New Design, Goodreads Integration

Amazon has updated its Kindle for iOS app. This new version is coming to iPhone and iPad users this week, and Amazon says its clients will surely love the redesigned app because it now lets users seamlessly move between various features of the Kindle app.

On Tuesday, Amazon announced the all-new Kindle app for iOS-running devices. According to the electronic commerce and cloud computing company, this new version of its reading app makes it easier for users to turn their smartphones and tablets into books anytime, anywhere.

“We’ve built the new Kindle app from the ground up for book lovers, giving readers easy access to everything they might want to do with their books, all in one place,” Kindle VP Chuck Moore said in a press release. “it’s now easier than ever to turn your phone or tablet into a book and immerse yourself in an author’s world at any time.”

With the new update, the Kindle for iOS is given a facelift. The new look is said to be inspired by books, so users will now see large book covers and new fonts. The app icon has also been modified, and Amazon has added new light and dark background themes. The search bar has also been made ubiquitous. Hence, it will now appear throughout the app for easier access to books stored in the library and those available in the Kindle Store.

Amazon has also introduced a new bottom navigation bar that displays the icon of the book one is currently reading. This makes it easier for users to jump back to the book they are reading at any time. This bottom bar also gives access to the main features of the Kindle app. Users can jump between pages of a book, launch the library, head to the bookstore and do other things with the use of this bottom bar.

MacRumors has learned that the new Kindle for iOS app comes with Goodreads integration. This means, users can now sign into their Goodreads account on the iOS app. The social network will enable users to discuss books and get recommendations from other readers. The Goodreads feature of the iOS app has a Community tab that shows users what their friends are reading. Users can also post notes, highlight certain parts of a book and share their ratings for a book using Goodreads’ social network features.

Goodreads is the world’s largest social network for readers, having over 65 million members. Amazon introduced the social network to some of its Kindle devices when it purchased the company back in 2013. With the new update, Amazon is expanding the reach of Goodreads on Kindle to iPhone and iPad users.

“For as long as there have been books, people have discussed them with friends,” Goodreads co-founder and CEO Otis Chandler said. “When you finish an amazing book, you can’t wait to find out if other readers feel the same way. Readers trust their friends for recommendations, with around half of them saying they discover books through word-of-mouth. With the new features on Kindle, connecting with your friends and similar readers in the Goodreads community is now built into the app.”

Amazon Kindle version 6.0.1 is now available for download from iTunes and the Apple App Store. The update is clocking in at 171 MB, and it is compatible with devices running iOS 9 and newer versions.