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W H Smith has launched an iPad app allowing users to download e-books directly to their Apple devices. Rival bookseller Watestone's launched an app in September, but unlike the WHS it did not include e-book downloads.
The WHS application, launched today (12th October), is free to download and provides access to 25,000 titles. Titles are stored on a bookshelf similar to that of the Apple iBookstore.
On the home page of the app are sections including New Releases, Richard & Judy Book Club, and 'Featured Author' sections including John Grisham, James Patterson, Tess Gerritsen, Lee Child and Jo Nesbo. Free classics are also available on the device.
However, no Hachette titles are available for sale, after WH Smith withdrew the publisher's books from sale last month following Hachette switching to the agency model of pricing.
Titles appear to be the same price as e-books bought from the retailer's website. However, the app states that if you have an existing account with whsmith.co.uk this will not synchronise with a new account on the app. The retailer said it was working on the issue.
Waterstone's said it was working on a second app, dedicated to e-books, to be launched in the near future.