Amazon.com Launches Kindle Unlimited Ebooks and Audiobooks Subscription Service

As rumoured, Amazon has announced the launch of a Kindle Unlimited ebooks and audiobooks subscription service.

For $9.99 a month, customers can read as much as they want from over 600,000 Kindle books, and listen as much as they want to thousands of Audible audiobooks, 'keeping' individual titles for as long as they want. Not all ebooks and audiobooks would be available under the service - a Kindle Unlimited logo will be attached to eligible titles, and subscribers can click on 'Read for Free' to start reading the book.

The company said Friday that books such as "The Hunger Games" and "Diary of a Wimpy Kid." Subscribers can also listen as much as they want to thousands of Audible audiobooks, including "Water for Elephants."

Subscribers will also get a free three-month Audible membership, and, just like any other Kindle ebook, will be able to access Kindle Unlimited content across Kindle devices and free Kindle reading apps for iPhone, iPad, Android tablets and phones, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, PC, Mac and Windows 8.

The subscription service is available in the United States beginning Friday and a free 30-day trial can be accessed at on Amazon's website.

"With Kindle Unlimited, you won't have to think twice before you try a new author or genre - you can just start reading and listening," said Russ Grandinetti, Senior Vice President, Kindle. "In addition to offering over 600,000 eBooks, Kindle Unlimited is also by far the most cost-effective way to enjoy audiobooks and eBooks together. With thousands of Whispersync for Voice-enabled audiobooks to choose from, you can easily switch between reading and listening to a book, allowing the story to continue even when your eyes are busy. We hope you take advantage of the 30-day free trial and try it for yourself."

Written with inputs from AP