When rumors of an Apple tablet started to hit the web, the first thing that came to most people’s minds was that it would be a Kindle killer. Well, it’s certainly too early to assume that, being that the device won’t be shipping for another two months, but it will at least be able to compete with the Kindle thanks to a new native eBook app called iBooks.
iBooks looks strikingly similar to the well-known iPhone eBook app Classics. It gives you access to tons of different books ranging from classics to bestseller from some of the biggest publishers, such as Penguin, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Macmillan, and Hachette. iBooks uses the standard ePub format, so hopefully it will be cross-platform with other online stores.
When you purchase a book, it will be placed and displayed on your personal bookshelf. To read a book, simply tap it and it will open up. You are then able to tap to change pages or swipe, and you can choose different fonts and text sizes to suit your needs.
New books are said to cost somewhere between $4.99 and $14.99.
Sorry, I will keep my Kindle. Back lighting is too hard on my eyes. Also, Apple has locked this platform so tight that nothing other than their iTunes content will work. At least on the kindle I can load other types of formats on the system and have it work.
The announcement indicated that books would be in epub format. If that is accurate then Kindle is the DRM’ed platform and the iPad supports the open format. I use the kindle app (and other ebook apps) on my iPod touch and have not noticed the claimed issue of fatigue. This shouldn’t be a big surprise since so many of us use computer monitors for extended periods without the claimed problems of fatigue. I’m beginning to suspect it is a marketing myth promulgated by people who hoped to profit from selling e-ink devices.
I own Nook, Kindle2 and iPad. I was concerned about the backlight, and was told I have 30 days to return the iPad. I found out that all you need to do is turn down the intensity. I read between eight to ten hours at a stretch and have never had eye strain or headaches. I agree that the complaint is just to keep people from buying the iPad. In Barnes and Noble, they use that complaint and ignore the corrections of someone who has all three readers. When I mention to them that the complaint is unfounded, they look at me like I have three goat heads on my shoulders. Frank
I agree that Apple needs to lower book prices and allow for more open system. But I’m not worried at all. I don’t have a Kindle and I use the Kindle Application and Stanza for iPhone. Since all apps work on the iPad, I’m guessing the Kindle and Stanza apps will work too.
Amazon already have a Kindle app on the iPhone app store from which you may buy ebooks from Amazon. This app will work on the iPad as well.
So how is the iPad more locked than Amazon’s Kindle device from which you may only buy Amazon ebooks?
Correction.. MOST apps are working with the ipad. According to amazon as of now the current kindle app will not.. They say they are developing another one. Who knows when that’s released
I have a Kindle and Nook app (BN ereader) on my iPad. I also have other book readers on my iPad and so far, I have been able to place any extension I want onto it. I have over 3000 books installed on the iPad, in various ereader formats. They all work.