Telecom operator Aircel has launched an e-book store Aircel BookMate for its subscribers that allows one to browse, download and read books, magazines, comics on their smartphone, tablets and PCs. The Aircel BookMate app for Android smartphone can be downloaded from the Google Play Store, while the iPad and iPhone app appears to be in development. One needs to have an Aircel number to register for the service. Users can either opt for monthly membership where users will receive Aircel BookMate points every month or a one time point purchase. The Aircel BookMate points can be used to purchase books and comics, and unused points will be rolled over to the next month. It's currently offering three monthly plans -- Rs 25 for 50 Aircel Bookmate points, Rs 50 for 100 points, and Rs 100 for 200 points. How ever, there's no information on how one can buy Aircel BookMate points at present. While the payment options offered is not clear, we feel there is an opportunity for Aircel to provide carrier billing as a payment option on the store, which might provide them an edge over other e-book stores. Surprisingly, the e-book store does not have any visible Aircel branding on its site and expect for the site URL, there's literally no Aircel logo on the entire site. The e-book store offers comics from Diamond Comics, Chandamama, Media Transasia, and magazines such as Outlook Money, India Today, Outlook, Business Today, among others. When we checked, the collection of books in fiction…
