Optimized for the iPad, the application lets users search and discover products offered by Amazon and thousands of other retailers. It includes features such as bestsellers, daily deals, product information, recommendations and customer reviews.

“We are thrilled to offer our customers another convenient way to find everything they could want to buy from their mobile device,” said Sam Hall, director of Amazon Mobile.  “The new Amazon app for iPad allows users to easily browse for items they want, conduct product research, make price comparisons and purchase products using Amazon’s secure checkout process.”

Key features of the Amazon App for iPad include:

• Purchase using Amazon’s one-click ordering and Amazon Prime

• Track packages or modify orders using the “Your Account” feature

• Receive personalized recommendations

• View editorial and customer reviews

• Browse Amazon’s Bestsellers, Gold Box Deal of the Day and Lightning Deals

• Access Wish List and Universal Wish List

• Watch movie trailers and listen to song samples

Amazon  is a pioneer in the mobile space.

The company had an early start with a mobile-optimized site and SMS alerts.

Applications for all of the major smartphone platforms followed.

The launch of the iPad application is just an extension of Amazon’s robust mobile strategy.

Amazon was also an early starter in the mobile commerce arena.

Nearly half of all mobile phone users worldwide will make mobile payments by 2014 – representing growth of nearly a billion users compared to 2010, according to Juniper Research.

Smartphone applications and the mobile Internet are propelling the use of mobile payments.

Juniper sees a new trend of mobile storefronts and malls launching, as well as new smartphone applications and mobile payment services from companies such as eBay, Amazon and Digby.

“Following the launch of the Amazon App for iPhone and iPod touch, we’ve used our customers’ feedback to help us build a fun and intuitive shopping destination on the iPad,” Mr. Hall said. 

Here are some screen grabs of the iPad application: