In the face of App Store restrictions and reports that the company is to launch its own tablet in the final quarter, Amazon has launchedKindle Cloud Reader, a new web app that allows Amazon users to download and read Kindle books, without the need for a Kindle device. The new web app has been specifically tailored for the browser and is currently supported by Google’s Chrome software and Apple’s Safari browser, both on the Mac and on the iPad....

Amazon on Monday denied a media report that the company plans to accept Bitcoin payments by the end of the year. Speculation had been mounting about the e-commerce giant’s moves crypto strategy. The rumors starting swirling last week after the company posted a job ad for a “Digital Currency and Blockchain Product Lead.” They gathered pace on Sunday when UK-based news outlet City AM cited an unnamed insider as saying the retailerwill take Bitcoin payments “by the end of the year” and plans to launch its own token in 2022....

One of the most interesting announcements from Amazon’sepic press conferenceyesterday was the browser,named Silk, that runs on its newKindle Firetablet. Now domain name registrations amongst thosespotted by Fusibleindicate that Amazon has at least loose plans to bring the browser to other platforms. Amonga huge listof domain names registered yesterday wereAmazonSilkForWindows.comandSilkForMac.com– suggesting that Kindle Fire’s browser could spread its wings to run on other devices.AmazonSilkForAndroid.comis also listed, suggesting that Silk could be offered on the Android Market for Android devices beyond the Kindle Fire (which runs a customized Android build) to run....

Gov. Pat Quinn recently signed into a law a bill that imposes state sales tax on goods sold online which prompted Amazon.com to sever ties with its Illinois affiliates. With hopes of leveling the playing field between online and brick and mortar stores, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill into law Thursday that will require Amazon and other internet retailers to start paying the state’s mandatory 6.25 percent sales tax....

With all of the talk and excitement about Amazon’s new “Kindle Fire“, the company has dropped the price of the original Kindle Keyboard edition to$139, or $99 with ‘special offers’. This was a popular option for purists who don’t like doing things on touch screens. Tactile keyboards still have a place in technology, and now you can grab a Kindle Keyboard edition for under $100. You can pick up the3G versionfor $189, or $139 with special offers, respectively....