The Kindle iPhone and iPad apps have been given a major overhaul, with Amazon updating the iOS app to version 2.9 and bringing in new Kindle Fire-like features in time for the Christmas season.

The iPad version gets a new design for magazines, and users now get access to the same selection of over 400 magazines and newspapers that are available on the Kindle Fire. Customers can buy a single issue or subscribe to popular magazines and leading newspapers, with the ability to have them wirelessly delivered to the Kindle for iPad app.

Users will also be able to read print replica textbooks that include rich formatting with support for notes and highlights, zoom and pan, and linked table of contents.

For iPad, iPhone and iPod touch users, Amazon now also lets you email documents to your new Send-to-Kindle e-mail address and have them delivered directly to your device.

The documents are automatically archived in the Amazon Cloud and are available for re-download on your iOS or supported Kindle devices.

Users will also be able to open PDFs from Mail or Safari by transferring them from iTunes, or by sending them to your Send-to-Kindle email address. The Kindle PDF reader supports PDF table of contents and thumbnail navigation for quickly jumping through the document.

Finally, you'll now be able to organise your library better, with the new app letting you view your Kindle Books, Newsstand and Docs.

The updated app is in the App Store now and is free.