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Kindle vs iBooks
- Thread starter ert3
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I prefer the iBook app, but I don't have any huge issues with the Kindle app. I rarely highlight selections, etc.
I'm quite happy that the iPad runs both apps, so regardless of which store I buy my eBook from, I'm good to go.
I'm quite happy that the iPad runs both apps, so regardless of which store I buy my eBook from, I'm good to go.
So just download the kindle app for the iPad (and the Barnes and Noble eReader / Nook application as well for the iPhone) and then you can purchase from any of the 3...
Not that difficult people...
Not that difficult people...
I voted Kindle because the iBooks app is only available on one platform right now. I own some Kindle books and can read them on my iPod Touch, iPad, Mac, Windows box and even a Blackberry. Until iBooks is available at least on iPod Touch and OS X, I will be using Kindle for purchased titles and iBooks only for free books.
BTW, the Kindle software has one important feature iBooks lacks. It allows you to do reverse video for reading in the dark. Having to go out to system preferences to change the entire OS to reverse video is not my idea of a seamless way to go into night mode, especially on a non-multitasking OS.
Apple could learn something from the old single tasking PalmOS here. They could make the brightness adjustment inside iBooks provide a shortcut to System Preferences->accessibility->reverse video then return directly to where you were reading in iBooks and it would feel more seamless.
BTW, the Kindle software has one important feature iBooks lacks. It allows you to do reverse video for reading in the dark. Having to go out to system preferences to change the entire OS to reverse video is not my idea of a seamless way to go into night mode, especially on a non-multitasking OS.
Apple could learn something from the old single tasking PalmOS here. They could make the brightness adjustment inside iBooks provide a shortcut to System Preferences->accessibility->reverse video then return directly to where you were reading in iBooks and it would feel more seamless.
I voted iBooks, I prefer the app. The library isn't that great, but there is plenty of time for Apple to catch up. The kindle has an amazing library, most the books I want can be found on their store as opposed to iBooks.
The first books I want to buy are the same in the ibooks store and the kindle store. So until I notice a difference in price I'm going to use the ibooks store.
You can remove the DRM from Kindle books and view them in iBooks I believe - haven't done it but I've seen people post about it here.
I don't see a big cost to using both apps just as I don't see a big cost to reading one book in hardback and another book in paperback. The iPad lets you get to both, which is amazing.
My concern is more about the screen vs. a Kindle 2 screen - I have and love a Kindle - but I don't think that can be answered in blanket fashion for everybody, some are saying the iPad screen is fine for longform reading, some say they get eyestrain. I guess it depends on your eyes and other variables. I plan to read one book on the iPad and see what I think. I would love it if it allowed me to sell my Kindle without feeling I was giving much up.
I don't see a big cost to using both apps just as I don't see a big cost to reading one book in hardback and another book in paperback. The iPad lets you get to both, which is amazing.
My concern is more about the screen vs. a Kindle 2 screen - I have and love a Kindle - but I don't think that can be answered in blanket fashion for everybody, some are saying the iPad screen is fine for longform reading, some say they get eyestrain. I guess it depends on your eyes and other variables. I plan to read one book on the iPad and see what I think. I would love it if it allowed me to sell my Kindle without feeling I was giving much up.
Kindle app for me!
The Kindle app just has to many features to be ignored.
I like the look, integrated store, and general "smoothness" of iBooks better than the Kindle app. But being able to view books on just about any device is sweet.
The Kindle app just has to many features to be ignored.
I like the look, integrated store, and general "smoothness" of iBooks better than the Kindle app. But being able to view books on just about any device is sweet.
It's mot about the Kindle but Kindle books on the iPad using the Kindle App.
Yes, I think that's what the OP was talking about - however, comparing the Kindle device vs the iPad is also a natural thought that's at the forefront of many buyers' and potential buyers' minds.
In terms of the apps, it sounds like a straightforward situation of a nicer, or at least fancier, UI for iBooks vs a larger selection and better prices via Kindle ... the iPad doesn't make you forever choose one, you can freely move back and forth.
Now that you've brought the Kindle hardware vs iPad hardware into the thread, I should mention that the 3G on the Kindle is free vs we don't even have 3G on the iPad just yet. While the iPad has excellent battery life approaching a full day of use, the Kindle can go for an entire week. I'm not sure how big a deal that is when I have a charger on my nightstand.
I thought about the Kindle as a lower cost "always connected for free" alternative but I'm very satisfied with my iPad. I like having access to the app store and I like the color display versus the slow refresh associated with eink.
I've said this before but I'll repeat that I might be convinced to switch to iBooks for paid content if it becomes available on at least the iPod Touch and hopefully also on OS X.
@Star-fire: Thanks for mentioning the triple click to get inverse video. I'll give it a try though there's still one drawback. If I go white on black on Kindle software, the only thing lit up on my screen is the text. If I go inverse video in iBooks, the status bar at the top of the screen is lit up like a beacon.
Woohoo! While watching the OS 4 live blog over at ars, I noticed iBooks has just been added to iPhone OS 4.0. iBooks is now more or less tied with Kindle for (Apple at least) cross platform use!
I own a Kindle, and I buy books from Amazon. I don't see the need to switch considering it works. I don't care about the eye candythe Kindle app works and doesn't look too bad.
Since I have not bought books from Apple yet, I cannot comment on Apple's implementation, but for Amazon's Kindle store, I can delete books and re-download them with bookmarks and annotations at any time.
Since I have not bought books from Apple yet, I cannot comment on Apple's implementation, but for Amazon's Kindle store, I can delete books and re-download them with bookmarks and annotations at any time.
So my wife and I both own Kindle 2's and just got an iPad. I put the Kindle app on the iPad and I enjoy it better than the Kindle 2 itself. But can we sell our kindle's and still buy books via the Kindle app on iPad?? or would we lose our log in and have to get a new one?
Thanks
Thanks
You would not lose your login. Your account would be basically the same. Note that periodicals don't work with Kindle apps outside the Kindle device itself. You'd need to get periodicals some other way, which I believe is easy to do on the iPad.
You should, of course, be sure to decouple your Kindle account from the actual Kindle if you resell it, so whoever buys it can't get free books on your dime
When you say you prefer reading on the iPad - have you read a complete novel yet on the iPad? I'm very interested in hearing from people who have done that. I read one or two books a month on my Kindle and would hope to do the same on the iPad without serious downside. I haven't bought an iPad yet, waiting on 3g.
You should, of course, be sure to decouple your Kindle account from the actual Kindle if you resell it, so whoever buys it can't get free books on your dime
When you say you prefer reading on the iPad - have you read a complete novel yet on the iPad? I'm very interested in hearing from people who have done that. I read one or two books a month on my Kindle and would hope to do the same on the iPad without serious downside. I haven't bought an iPad yet, waiting on 3g.
I use the nook for most of my reading but have bought a few books for my iPad. I like my iPad at night for reading in bed or in dark areas and I use my nook the rest of the time. I also wanted to note that I had a few problems with books downloaded from iBooks not being formatted correctly or missing most all of the book which is something I have not had problems with B&N. Either way I love both devices!
Reading books on a 3" screen. How ****ing ridiculous.
What if you find yourself with some down time like waiting unexpectatley on a car repair. Do you just happen to have your iPad in your pocket to pull out and do some reading?
Also you may like to play games on your tiny iPhone but to me that's ridiculous. Other than convince as long as you can read the words in a comprehendible sentence why does the screen size matter?
Actually I prefer the Sony Reader Store. It's ePub and the DRM is easy to strip so you can read on the Reader or iBooks. Kindle app is fine if you have a library of Kindle books otherwise it's just taking up space.
That said, I'm disappointed in the iPad as a reader. I was looking forward to it but I don't find it as comfortable as my Sony 505 reader or, oddly, my iPhone. I find the iPad either too bright or too dim. Hate to say it but eInk really does win on this point.
That said, I'm disappointed in the iPad as a reader. I was looking forward to it but I don't find it as comfortable as my Sony 505 reader or, oddly, my iPhone. I find the iPad either too bright or too dim. Hate to say it but eInk really does win on this point.