Amazon Launches India Kindle Store, Kindles Available Locally too

Amazon has just launched the India Kindle Store that offers over a million books to customers from India at prices in Indian Rupees. The books include both international and local titles and Amazon promises it is the largest selection with the lower prices of any e-bookstore in India.

The books available on the India Kindle Store are just the usual kindle versions that have a separate price listed in INR. A couple of days ago before the launch of this store, I purchased this ‘A Game of Thrones‘ book via the regular US pricing of $4.11 and was charged Rs. 238.22 to my Credit Card. The same book, now that the Indian pricing is live, is available at Rs. 241.52. I’m guessing the pricing will fluctuate based on the dollar value.

You can read these books on any iPad, iPhone, Mac, PC or any Android-device by using the official Kindle app. Once you purchase a book, it is wireless delivered to the device of your choice and you can sync your read position across all your devices using their Whispersync technology. Amazon also lets you download samples of the books so you can “try before you buy”.

Along with the Kindle Store, the company has also made the Kindle devices available locally via Croma’s retail outlets. Customers can purchase the Kindle from any Croma outlet or via their Online Store at Rs. 6999. Moreover, Amazon is also selling the Kindle, Kindle Touch and Kindle Touch 3G and Kindle DX via their website with an option to ship to India, but that will incur additional customs and shipping costs.

When I wrote about my Nexus 7 a few days ago, I mentioned that I’d be trying the Kindle app on it. I installed the app and purchased the first book from A Song of Ice and Fire a couple of days ago and have found myself immersed in reading. Sure, a major reason for that is the book itself, but reading on the Nexus 7 is a pleasure in itself and I’m definitely seeing myself purchase a lot more books now.