Kindle for iPhone

[ukcolinr]

I had a thought whilst reading the Live Blogs following this mornings event. They made it quite clear that most applications for the iPhone would work on the iPad. Do you think Apple will allow the Kindle for iPhone App (and other eBook reader Apps) to function on the iPad, seeing as it replicates a function on the iPad, on the iPhone is this not often why Apps are disallowed if they copy an existing function?

I have a Kindle with books already, would be cool if I could read them on the iPad as well, but I could see this being disallowed. Thoughts?

 

[CylonGlitch]

I suspect that it will work. I don't think they go too far to break specific apps but the code they use just scales the app to fit the iPad. Sure it does more then that because it is also changing the actual commands on the fly to fit this new processor and that is why they can't be 100% sure all apps will work. I don't think they went out of their way to break specific apps.

I do wonder if they will allow the iBook app to run on iPhones and iPod Touches.

 

[ukcolinr]

I also wondered about the iBooks app on iPhone/iPod Touch, I don't see any reason it couldn't? And ultimately it'd be another form of income even if the take up isn't as high as it would be on the iPad.

 

[killerrobot]

Cool idea but I don't think Apple would ever allow it as it would be a direct competitor for them.
If Amazon ever submitted an app, I sure it would get treated the same way the Google Voice app has.

 

[ukcolinr]

If Amazon ever submitted an app

Kindle for iPhone has already been out for quite some time. That's what I was wondering, whether they'd intentionally either stop distributing it on the App Store or break it so it won't work on the iPad. I could see them breaking it in some ways, seeing as Kindle books are apparently going to be cheaper, if the experience is similar people may use Kindle for iPhone instead of iBook?

 

[Juventuz]

There's no reason why the Kindle app shouldn't work, considering the versions they're using now are using the iPhone 3.2 OS.

 

[killerrobot]

Kindle for iPhone has already been out for quite some time. That's what I was wondering, whether they'd intentionally either stop distributing it on the App Store or break it so it won't work on the iPad. I could see them breaking it in some ways, seeing as Kindle books are apparently going to be cheaper, if the experience is similar people may use Kindle for iPhone instead of iBook?

Oh yeah forgot about that...Don't have a kindle and therefore haven't searched for it ever...

I get what you're saying now. It will be interesting to see what they'll do with it now that Apple has an ereader. I can't imagine Apple allowing it anymore as it will now stand in direct competition with them. At some point there will have to be another revision of the Kindle app and at some point I can see Apple just not ever okaying it.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

I'm fairly new to the Kindle app and Kindle all together (it just recently got available here in Norway), but here's a question: When i buy (or ask for a sample) of a kindle edition book, I also specify which device to send it to, so far my iPhone. Does that mean I have to re-buy them for another device, like the iPad, or can I re-download books I've already purchased...?

 

[pro2type]

@Mitthrawnuruodo: your Kindle books is connected to your account regardles of what device you connect i to, so you dont lose your books.

The iPad suddenly makes Kindle for iPhone much more useful.

 

[dave1812dave]

@Mitthrawnuruodo: your Kindle books is connected to your account regardles of what device you connect i to, so you dont lose your books.

The iPad suddenly makes Kindle for iPhone much more useful.

How so? I read for hours on my touch. If you mean for magazines and newspapers, well, who reads newspapers any more. Most of us get our news online. I could see how magazines could be ok on the ipad.

 

[Lyle]

I do hope that Apple wouldn't try to retroactively ban the Kindle app, or somehow prevent it from running on the iPad, but who knows? It is a closed device (sans jailbreaking, obviously).

It did occur to me that it might be in Amazon's best interests to get in-app purchases of books working for the Kindle app. It's still sort of clunky how it sends you out to the mobile web site to actually purchase books.

 

[Michael CM1]

Cool idea but I don't think Apple would ever allow it as it would be a direct competitor for them.
If Amazon ever submitted an app, I sure it would get treated the same way the Google Voice app has.

I think you're looking way into the competitive thing. Don't forget that Apple allows Microsoft to sell Office despite iWork. Apple pushed for non-DRM songs on iTunes, which meant the music could be used on non-Apple devices.

Considering a lot of us bought Kindle books through the iPhone app, I don't think it's going to be blocked. AT&T also won't be hurt by the Kindle app, but it would be hurt by Google Voice.

 

[ukcolinr]

When i buy (or ask for a sample) of a kindle edition book, I also specify which device to send it to, so far my iPhone. Does that mean I have to re-buy them for another device, like the iPad, or can I re-download books I've already purchased...?

With the Sample books, you tell it which device you want to send it to and it is delivered via WhisperNet to that device only! I assume you could send it to another device for free through the same method though I have never tried.

When you purchase a book it asks you which device you wish to deliver it to (Kindle, iPhone or PC) like you say and it is automatically delivered, however on another device all you need to do is go to Archived Items, it'll list all your purchases and you download it to that device Amazon keep a record of every book you've bought so even once you've read and deleted, if you want to read it again you go into your archive and download again regardless of the device

 

[mkrishnan]

I would be very surprised if they could get away with rejecting Amazon's app solely because they came out with their own app... that kind of thing is going to put them in anti-competition litigation fairly quickly.

Granted, we'll have to wait and see, but I expect Amazon, Zinio, and the others who offer various kinds of book/magazine content to not only have their apps on the iPad but to have iPad-specific versions that can handle the bigger screen out at/near launch.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

When you purchase a book it asks you which device you wish to deliver it to (Kindle, iPhone or PC) like you say and it is automatically delivered, however on another device all you need to do is go to Archived Items, it'll list all your purchases and you download it to that device Amazon keep a record of every book you've bought so even once you've read and deleted, if you want to read it again you go into your archive and download again regardless of the device

Just what I wanted to hear.

Thanks...

 

[ukcolinr]

I think you're looking way into the competitive thing. Don't forget that Apple allows Microsoft to sell Office despite iWork. Apple pushed for non-DRM songs on iTunes, which meant the music could be used on non-Apple devices.

I see where you're coming from, but you buy iWork or MS Office once. eBook's once you've read one eBook you buy another, potential to raise far more revenue, though I can see where mkrishnan is coming from RE: Anti-Competition issues which could force Apple to continue allowing other eBook apps.

 

[killerrobot]

Considering a lot of us bought Kindle books through the iPhone app, I don't think it's going to be blocked. AT&T also won't be hurt by the Kindle app, but it would be hurt by Google Voice.

I see what you're saying but the iPhone was never in direct competition with the Kindle. I think the iPad is now in direct competition with it. As far as I know there isn't an Amazon app for music or movies, because that would've hurt the iTunes store.

I would be very surprised if they could get away with rejecting Amazon's app solely because they came out with their own app... that kind of thing is going to put them in anti-competition litigation fairly quickly.

So far nothing has happened to Apple over the Google Voice app "rejection" and that's closing in on 6 months since Google filed a complaint with the FCC. If nothing happens with that, then they could keep any app in "limbo" without ever having to worry about it.

I do get the point about all the books already out there and downloaded through Kindle on the Mac, iPhone, and everything else, so there'd be no way to keep Amazon books off of the iPad. But I feel Apple will do everything within its power to make sure that when you're using the iPad and you want a new book, you'll have to go through iTunes to get it.

 

[mkrishnan]

We'll have to see. Google Voice arguably is in a no-man's land, since Google insists on obfuscating whenever asked what kind of servce they offer. I still want it on my phone, though.

In Amazon's case, it's very hard to not view the Kindle app as a direct competitor, and if they try to block it, especially after previously allowing it, it's likely to be a big enough deal to bring this issue to a head and a lawsuit.