SAN FRANCISCO – Microsoft Corp. today announced that leading online retailer Amazon.com has selected Microsoft Reader as the preferred format for Amazon.com’s future e-Book store.
Under a strategic alliance announced today at Seybold San Francisco/Publishing 2000, Microsoft will create a customized Amazon.com version of Microsoft Reader, giving consumers the ability to purchase and download eBook titles directly from Amazon.com and read them in Microsoft Reader format.
“We are thrilled that Amazon.com, the number one online bookseller, has selected Microsoft Reader as the software that will evolve the reading experience for book lovers everywhere,” said Dick Brass, vice president of technology development for Microsoft. “We believe the combination of Amazon.com’s incredible shopping experience and the unique capabilities and great content available with Microsoft Reader will make electronic reading a powerful new reality.”
“Books are at the heart of Amazon.com, so it is with special pleasure that we welcome the relationship with Microsoft,” said Lyn Blake, general manager of Amazon Books. “This represents another milestone for Amazon.com, demonstrating once again our commitment to offering our customers the widest possible range of products. eBooks are an exciting new way to read that combines the transforming qualities of literature with the unique advantages of the digital realm.”
Consumers can download Microsoft Reader at no charge at http://www.microsoft.com/reader/ (connect-time fees may apply). Microsoft Reader is the first product to include ClearType display technology, a Microsoft innovation that greatly improves font resolution on LCD screens for users of desktop or laptop PCs running the Microsoft Windows operating system as well as dedicated reading devices. In addition to incorporating the latest ClearType technology, Microsoft Reader strictly adheres to the traditions and benefits of fine typography. It provides a clean, uncluttered display; ample margins; full justification; proper spacing, leading and kerning; and powerful tools for bookmarking, highlighting and annotation.
