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Amazon launches Kindle for Windows 8, leaving Nook in the dust

Microsoft's Surface RT
Image Credit: Ariel Zambelich/Wired

Amazon is helping to fill out the Windows 8 app catalog with a dedicated Kindle app.

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Announced after the Windows 8 launch event in New York City, Kindle for Windows 8 brings Amazon’s library of books to Microsoft’s fledging operating system.

The news is indisputably great for Windows 8, which has been criticized in most early reviews for its paltry selection of apps. While Kindle for Windows 8 doesn’t appear to do anything new visually, it’s still a significant addition to the Windows 8 ecosystem.

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Notably, the app supports x86, x64, and ARM processors, meaning that it’s compatible with both Windows 8 and the tablet- focused Windows RT.

But what’s really interesting is that Amazon announced its eBook app before Barnes & Noble did the same. That’s notable because when Microsoft invested $300 in a Barnes & Noble, a Nook Windows 8 app was an explicit part of the deal. In any case, we’ve reached out to Barnes & Noble to see what’s going on.

The Amazon news comes on the same day that StumbleUpon announced its own Windows 8 app, which the company says takes full advantage of the operating system’s live tiles. With all of this third-party support, maybe Windows 8 will turn out alright after all.

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