Amazon has introduced an instant video app for iPad. It will enable customers to stream or download movies and TV episodes from their Amazon library directly to the device.

Amazon previously offered this service for its Kindle Fire tablet, but the latest initiative broadens the service to a wider audience and puts the etailer in greater competition with streaming rivals such as Netflix.

Amazon Prime members in the US are able to stream more than 20,000 movies and TV episodes as part of their membership. The app features a video library and a watchlist, enabling customers can save a list of movies and TV episodes for future viewing.