Amazon.com said on Monday it had acquired Liquavista NV from Samsung Electronics to help the Internet retailer develop new displays for mobile devices. Amazon also launched its own digital currency, Amazon Coins, on Monday, allowing people to buy apps and games in its app store and on its Kindle Fire tablet computers.

Samsung bought Liquavista NV in early 2011.

Liquavista has been developing a technology called electrowetting, which it says makes displays clearer in all lighting conditions and can show video without using much power.The technology can be used in mobile gadgets.

Amazon could use the technology to enhance its range of Kindle Fire tablets, which compete with Apple's iPad and tablets from Google Inc and Samsung.

In related news, owners of Amazon's Kindle Fire can now use Amazon Coins to purchase apps, games and in-app items in the Amazon Appstore.

To celebrate the launch, Amazon.com is offering existing and new Kindle Fire customers in the U.S. have had 500 free Coins - a $5 value - deposited into their Amazon accounts today. For customers, Amazon Coins is an easy way to purchase apps and in-app items on Kindle Fire, and for developers it's another opportunity to drive traffic, downloads and increased monetization. With discounts of up to 10% for purchasing Coins in bulk, it?s also an opportunity for customers to save money on their app and game purchases. Customers can purchase Coins by visiting amazon.com/coins.

Amazon Appstore developers will earn their standard 70% revenue share when customers make purchases using Amazon Coins. No Coins-specific changes are required for developers with apps and games currently in the Amazon Appstore. Developers not yet in the Amazon Appstore should submit their app today through the Amazon Mobile App Distribution Portal (https://developer.amazon.com/welcome.html).