eBooks: Amazon Introduces Whispercast to Manage Fleets of Kindles

Libraries and schools that lend Kindles to users might be interested in this new service from Amazon that launched today.
From AllThingsD (WSJ):

Amazon has started offering a service for schools and enterprises that are looking for a way to easily send out e-books to a large number of Kindles.
The free service is being called “Whispercast for Kindle,” which is in line with the branding that Amazon has already introduced for other services that sync data across multiple devices.
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Whispercast will allow teachers to manage Kindles from a central online location to set up policies, including things like blocking Facebook or Web browsing, and to prevent purchasing anything in the store. Teachers will also be able to push content down from the store. For enterprises, they can push down settings that require employees to have a password, or add personal devices owned by employees to the network.

From the Amazon.com News Release:

Whispercast Features
Easily manage fleets of Kindles
With Whispercast, administrators can register and assign users to all of their organizations’ Kindle devices at once, creating personalized Kindle experiences for each student or employee.
Support for “bring your own device”
With support for personal devices, organizations can invite employees, students, customers and partners to receive content from the organization on their Kindles.
Create user groups
Whispercast gives administrators the ability to assign users into one or more groups, such as specific class, grade level or corporate department. User groups make it easier to purchase and distribute content for each group’s unique needs.
Control device settings, such as Wi-Fi and password protection
Schools and businesses can configure device settings across all their Kindles, including configuring wireless connectivity to private networks for a simple and secure user experience as well as restricting web access and purchases.
Wirelessly distribute Kindle books, documents and applications
Whispercast makes it easy for organizations to centrally distribute Kindle books as well as documents on an individual basis. In the coming months, Whispercast administrators will be able to purchase and send Kindle Fire applications. Additionally, during the purchase process organizations will be able to select which content should be assigned to specific user groups they have created.
Support for free Kindle reading apps on iOS, Android, and other devices
Schools and businesses can purchase and send Kindle books and distribute documents to devices using any of the free Kindle reading apps, including iPads, iPhones, Android phones and tablets, PCs and Macs.
Support for centralized procurement
Organizations can efficiently purchase Kindle devices and content through a single payment method, including purchase orders, as well as Amazon gift cards or credit cards.

Learn More/Register on the Whispercast Web Page
Here’s the Whispercast Promo Video Provided by Amazon.com.

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