iBooks vs. Kindle - my take

[CalMin]

EDIT - I am referring only to the apps!

iBooks is a visual treat and a great 'paper like' experience, but Amazon's Kindle App platform blows it away with two killer features.

1) Selection. They have far and away more books than iBooks. I've had a hard time finding the books I want on iBooks. Time will solve this but for now, Kindle trumps.

2) Device agnostic. A kindle book works on the iPad. But it also works on my iPhone, my Windows 7 PC at work and my MacBook Pro. This is SO useful. For example, yesterday my wife had an appointment that I took her too. It took longer than expected and I would have cursed myself for not bringing the iPad along if I had bought using iBooks. Instead, I whipped out the iPhone and it SYNC'ed right to where I left off reading on the iPad. I carried on reading and when I got home later, the iPad SYNC'ed to where I had reached on the iPhone. This is clever stuff folks. It is actually more convenient than a real book (which would have remained at home on the coffee table).

---

iPad and kindle need each other right now. Apple lacks the relationships with publishers to get the book selection. Arguably, Apple is likely to try and lock people into it's ecosystem, although if eBooks could be read using iTunes on several devices, and with iBooks coming to iPhone with OS 4, this could change. Remember, iTunes was once Apple and iPod only. With Kindle, Amazon lacks a truly compelling device - at least at the $259 price point. That has changed with iPad, which although not a true eReader is a very compelling purchase for many people. With the superior platform and iPad compatibility, Amazon has an opportunity to stay ahead.

For now, I'm buying books through Kindle. They work everywhere, they sync beautifully and there's enormous choice. I'm hooked.

 

[waltermitty]

I agree, it is so nice to be able to pick up where you left off on so many different devices. I use my Kindle 2 during the day, and if I feel like reading in bed I use my iPad so I don't fall asleep with the lights on. I often use the PC app and the iPhone app as well. Apple's offering has not appealed to me at all - except I am hoping that Amazon will add dictionary functionality to the next update.

 

[Spudracer]

I'm the opposite. We had a Kindle DX for two weeks and sent it back. The device wasn't ready for prime time but beyond that, we really didn't like the Kindle software implementation of ebooks. No table of contents in some books. No page numbers in the table of contents or while reading the book. Just a % complete reference. What does that mean? No dictionary. No thanks. Also, the rest of the world seems to be moving to an epub standard while Amazon holds onto their proprietary format.

I think you're right though. Amazon wins for titles on the shelf at the moment. The best possible outcome for consumers, Apple, Amazon, and publishers is that Kindle and iBooks software are allowed to coexist on iPad, Macs, PC's, and Windows tablets. Let the market decide. Let competition improve all the contenders.

 

[Reser]

Once Ibooks comes out for the Iphone then you will be able to have your Ibooks collection on both too, and in your scenario it still would have worked out just without the syncing where you were up to.. And I am sure Apple will add that form of syncing in an update soon.

I also expect Apple to release an Ibook reader application for Mac and Windows, Probably built into Itunes.

Price is my only worry. Ibooks cost a lot more..

I hear if you rip the drm off kindle books you can convert them to Ibooks standerd, but that is a lot of time and hastle really.

 

[Sleazy E]

There are only two things that kindle has on iBooks... Book pricing and daytime reading out in the sun. Since I personally never find myself outside in the sun and wanting to whip out a book, it basically takes one advantage out of the picture. Pricing will fix itself in time.

 

[RebelRed]

I agree with the selection. Can't even come close right now. But that's just a time thing. Give it about a year.

I find myself using the Kindle app if choosing between the two just because of the options. I can read the book on all my devices. Again, this might be a time thing too. I really hope Apple makes the app for all their devices that I have.

 

[waltermitty]

I'm the opposite. We had a Kindle DX for two weeks and sent it back. The device wasn't ready for prime time but beyond that, we really didn't like the Kindle software implementation of ebooks. No table of contents in some books. No page numbers in the table of contents or while reading the book. Just a % complete reference. What does that mean? No dictionary. No thanks. Also, the rest of the world seems to be moving to an epub standard while Amazon holds onto their proprietary format.

The physical Kindle devices do have a very nice dictionary implementation, actually. Honestly, I can't pry myself away from buying real books; I doubt I ever will.

 

[CalMin]

I should clarify I meant the Apps not the devices. I have never found the kindle device to be a compelling purchase. I preordered every version of the kindle only to cancel before delivery.

 

[bradleyg5]

The physical Kindle devices do have a very nice dictionary implementation, actually. Honestly, I can't pry myself away from buying real books; I doubt I ever will.

I will never buy a real book again in my life if I have the option. I won't buy CDs or DVDs or paper bound books or any of these old space consuming media storage systems.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

The physical Kindle devices do have a very nice dictionary implementation, actually. Honestly, I can't pry myself away from buying real books; I doubt I ever will.

Don't read as much as I would like to. Thinking that the iPad and/or Kindle will change that for me. A bit ADD here when it comes to reading books. LOL Never know what I am in the mood for. Only a few times have I found a book so engrossing that I could not out it down.

As to the OP's thoughts - the iPad vs Kindle.... I am ready to buy an iPad since it is so much more than an ebook reader. Yes I have a MBP and an iMac - but I don't use the power of those computers - my MBP is used very much the the way the iPad is envisioned to be used... surfing the net, doing emails..etc...

The only reason I see needing my MBP or iMac is for heavy stuff like Photoshop and the such...

I am a cheap SOB, so I have a reservation for a 16gb iPad at my local Apple store... but the more I think about it I may end up waiting with the "unwashed" masses on the 30th and get either a 32 or 64 3g model.... if I can LOL