Amazon announced that its Kindle apps will be available for Android and Windows based tablets as part of its Buy Once, Read Everywhere strategy.

The announcement states that Amazon will craft a Kindle app specifically for Android and Windows tablets to enable users to access its Kindle Store.

Dorothy Nicholls, Director, Amazon Kindle said: We're very excited to support the upcoming Android and Windows LCD tablet computers with free Kindle apps that we'll tailor for the particular devices. Our Whispersync technology makes it simple to move back and forth between devices. Read on your Kindle, read on your tablet, read on your phone. We'll keep track of your last page read, and make it easy.

Amazon's strategy is to target other devices as it attempts to create an ecosystem of devices around its content. While it has its own Kindle to drive its content, it is not relying entirely on its eReader.

Also there is competition from Google as a report by WSJ stated that Google is due to launch its Google Editions, a buy anywhere read anywhere digital book distribution channel due by the first quarter of 2011. Google Edition allows users to purchase a book via Google or through its retail partners. Consumers have the flexibility to pay through a Google account or through an online retailer.

Once a Google Edition e-book is purchased it is stored in an online book shelf which can be accessed by users from their browser from any web-based device.

Thus, with Google Editions in the fray, Amazon is targeting the CES 2011 show where a slew of 100 or so tablets are due to be launched. The primary contenders at the show are Android and Windows-based tablets, and thus the announcement of the app is well timed.

Currently, Kindle is available on iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, and Android smartphones, BlackBerry, Mac and PC.