Audible finally launches native iPad app

Audible, one of the web’s leading audiobook retailers, today updated its iOS app with full support for Apple’s iPad. Until now, the Amazon-owned company’s app had been optimized only for iPhone and iPod touch, forcing iPad users to either view it at a reduced size or enlarge the app using iPad’s scaling feature, neither of which are exactly optimal solutions. Audible now utilizes the extra screen real estate offered by Apple’s tablet with a sleek new graphic-heavy design that puts audiobook cover art front and center.

Functionality has also received some attention; Audible says navigating the app is now easier on both iPad and smaller iOS hardware. You can now sign in with an Amazon account, and best of all, Audible is now letting users download up to three hours of audio content over cellular connections. Needless to say, it should be much easier to pull down an audiobook or two on-the-fly during trips. Audible 2.0 is available now as a free download in the App Store for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.