Your PC or touchscreen tablet is now an e-reader with a catalogue of more than 360,000 books

Amazon's free PC software will convert your PC or touchscreen tablet into an e-reader, giving you access to Amazon's catalogue of over 360,000 books.

Online book seller Amazon announced the release of a new software called "Kindle for PC" on October 22. Kindle for PC will enable PC users to read books purchased from the online Amazon store on their computer.

"Kindle for PC is the perfect companion application for folks who own a Kindle or Kindle DX," said Ian Freed, vice president, Amazon Kindle. "Kindle for PC is also a great way for people around the world to read the most popular books of today even if they don't yet have a Kindle."

The software is compatible with Amazon's Whispersync technology allowing consumers to swap reading devices (for instance, go from reading on their PC at home to reading on their smartphone on the train) without losing their place on the page.

Kindle for PC users will have access to books previously purchased on Amazon as well as being able to access functions similar to those found on the Kindle, Kindle DX and Kindle iPhone application.

Readers with a touchscreen tablet running Windows 7 will be able to use their device like a colour e-reader with built-in support for multi-touch gestures. Kindle for PC enables users with multi-touch enabled PCs or tablets to zoom in and out with two fingers. A future Kindle for PC update will see touchscreen PC users able to turn pages with the swipe of a finger.

Amazon is eager to push their number-one bestselling product in the leadup to the Christmas-gift buying rush. The market is quickly filling up with a range of feature-driven e-readers, such as the recently announced Nook e-reader from Barnes & Noble that features both a color touchscreen and an energy-saving e-ink screen.

On October 22 Amazon also dropped the price of their bestselling reader to $259, matching the price of Barnes and Noble's Nook e-reader.

Customers will be able to download the Kindle for PC software for free in November.

Site: http://www.amazon.com/KindleforPC