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markjeffr... markjeffr...
 
M$1 December 22, 2008 09:38 PM

Major publishers announce iPhone App Store ebooks. Does this kill the Kindle / Sony Reader?

Today WiReD announced that Houghton Mifflin, Simon & Schuster, Random House, Hachette and Penguin Group USA are about to roll out best-sellers in the iPhone App Store (some announced titles are 'Twilight', 'Eragon' and 'The Golden Compass', so there are pretty major books).

The article is here:
http://blog.wired.com/business/2008/12/app-developer-s.html

http://blog.wired.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/12/22/081222_scrollmotioniceberg.jpg


My question is: Does this mean game over for dedicated devices like the Amazon Kindle and the Sony Reader? Will the iPhone become the 'iPod of books'?
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darkmatt3r darkmatt3r
 
 December 22, 2008 10:13 PM
I doubt it, since the kindle is a much larger device, and a big complaint most paper-lovers have is that a "computer-screen" is not nice enough on the eyes for prolonged reading. Since the kindle mimics paper as best as we've seen thus far, the iPhone doesn't stand a chance in that regard. iPhone ebooks may be popular, but that is still an awfully small screen for more than casual reading. There is no price advantage either on the merits of an iPhone-turned-eBook-reader vs Kindle.It may be a nice "cure the boredom on the plane" type of thing, but it won't be a Kindle-killer.
Asker's Rating:
• Tough choice for best answer, but this one seemed best-worded to my eyes. I also don't agree with it :) but strongest answer nonetheless, congrats


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drmatt drmatt
 
December 22, 2008 09:40 PM
Nah... iPhone's screen isn't very good for e-book reading and the battery life makes it less useful as well.

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johnsonaar... johnsonaar...
 
December 22, 2008 09:41 PM
Agreed! Kindle woot woot!

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brentcopel... brentcopel...
 
December 22, 2008 09:41 PM
I couldn't imagine reading a book on my phone. There's a reason the kindle is the size it is. It's not because it has to be. It's because it's a comfortable reading size.

Also, alot of people just don't like apple or the iphone, as crazy as that sounds.

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bmlhailsto... bmlhailsto...
 
December 22, 2008 09:42 PM
I'm sure that it will take up a significant market portion, but it won't dominate completely. A lot of people don't have the iPhone and never will. I certainly won't ever have one because I use Verizon and that connection may never come. Blackberry is my baby, of course. But until Apple and ATT get their heads out of you know where, the iPhone is just another paperweight to people like me.

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filmkid filmkid
 
December 22, 2008 09:51 PM
I agree with answers above. iPhone is too small to read a book. The Kindle was made to be easy on the eyes and easy to manage. It's not going anywhere. iPhone can give it a shot, but I don't think it will obliterate the devices made for electronic novels.

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easyeboy easyeboy
 
December 22, 2008 09:56 PM
I agree with the answers above, as the iPhone screen is small. However, the Plastic Logic Reader may be something to be something else that might give the Kindle or Sony Reader a run. If I were you, I'd look into a Plastic Logic Reader. Hopefully this answers your question!
Source(s):
http://gizmodo.com/5047109/plastic-logic-reader-looks-like-kindle-killer


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jasoncalac... jasoncalac...
 
December 22, 2008 10:08 PM
I don't think I would ever read a book on an iPhone. I'd much rather listen to an audio book then squint at the screen.

that being said, i read newspapers and blogs on my iPhone all the time in safari and that is NOT designed for reading most of the time.

There is certainly room for improvement of the user interface for reading on the iPhone. I think reading for five minutes at a clip is ok, and book reading i do at 20-40 minutes at a clip typically.

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harrisonpo... harrisonpo...
 
December 22, 2008 10:16 PM
No.

Although the iPhone is a wonderful device for reading anything (<3 my iPhone), the Kindle/Sony Reader's screens are better for book reading. Because their displays are not back lit, you have the ability to read electronic books in the park in broad daylight. Try that with a laptop or an iPhone.

Plus, the iPhone's battery life lasts about a chapter.

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joeman joeman
 
December 22, 2008 10:16 PM
1. iPhone is designed for short time use.
2. Playing games is different from reading books.
Source(s):
personal opinion


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emaij emaij
 
December 22, 2008 10:20 PM
It hurts the Kindle but ultimately the winner is going to be the one that delivers the best reading experience for the $$$. I have not used Kindle but I have read that the screen technology is superior to any conventional lcd monitor.

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