The new web app is called Kindle Cloud Reader, and is available in Safari and Chrome web browsers.

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Additionally, hundreds of apps in the Chrome Web Store contain offline functionality including games and the Kindle Cloud Reader.

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Customers can read their Kindle books on the largest number of devices and platforms, including any Kindle as well as on iPhone, iPad, Android devices, Mac, PC, BlackBerry, Windows Phone or in their web browser with Kindle Cloud Reader.

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Like the Kindle Cloud Reader?

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Customers can check out a Kindle book from their local library and start reading on any generation Kindle device or free Kindle app for Android, iPad, iPod touch, iPhone, PC, Mac, BlackBerry or Windows Phone, as well as in their web browser with Kindle Cloud Reader.

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But it hopes that its cheap tablet will be wildly popular and therefore boost sales of Amazon's cloud-based content, just as the Kindle e-reader boosted sales of e-books.

ECONOMIST: Amazon