Comments for Amazon's Kindle Comes to the iPhone

Amazon's Kindle Comes to the iPhone

2009-03-04T06:00:31Z

Amazon just released a free application for the iPhone and iPod touch (iTunes link) that allows users to download and read any eBook from Amazon's Kindle store on Apple's popular mobile devices. This move comes just a few days after Amazon's Kindle 2 eBook reader arrived in users' hands, but according to Ian Freed, an Amazon vice president, Amazon does not expect that this app will cannibalize Kindle sales as users will probably only use their phones to read for short periods.

]]> Freed also argues that the Kindle has nothing to fear from the iPhone because of its superior screen and battery life.

All the Features You Expect, But No Built-In Store

After you have installed the app, a new option to send books (or free sample chapters) to your iPhone will appear in the Kindle store. Sadly, you can't browse the Kindle store through the iPhone app itself, which is really a shame, but we wouldn't be surprised if Amazon made this an option in a later version. For now, you have to use Amazon's website to buy books and that, of course, only works if you are in the U.S.

The actual app features most of the options you would expect from an eBook reader. You can change the font size, bookmark pages, and jump directly to different chapters. One major feature that is missing from this app, however, is the ability to add notes to your books.

If you own a Kindle 1 or 2, then the app will also sync your bookmarks and notes between your Kindle and iPhone/iPod touch.

The Authors Guild, by the way, has nothing to fear from the Kindle iPhone app, as Amazon did not add any text-to-speech functionality to the program.

There is nothing revolutionary about the application itself, but overall, it works well and, maybe most importantly, the text is highly legible. Of course, a lot of iPhone eBook applications already exist - and some of them, like Bookworm, Readdle, or Stanza are very good (and, unlike Amazon's app support open standards), but none of these can match the selection of texts available in Amazon's Kindle store - and this is where Amazon's app really shines.

In the past, we wondered if the iPhone might just turn out to be the ultimate eBook reader (even though Steve Jobs famously proclaimed that Apple isn't interested in the eBook market because nobody reads anymore). While Amazon is adamant that this app is only a complement to the Kindle, we can't help but think that Amazon is hedging its bets with this app. After all, it's still very early in the development cycle of both eBook readers and smartphones, and for now, it is anything but clear which devices users will prefer in the end.

Comment from fritzonline63 on 2011-02-13

2011-02-13T19:08:47Z

I think Amazon is on to something here. I had no plans (and still don’t) to purchase a Kindle, but I do have an iPhone. I downloaded the iPhone app yesterday and already have purchased two Kindle books.

So, in spite of not gaining me as a Kindle H/W customer (yet?), Amazon has added to its media purchasing base by releasing this application to this iPhone user.Besides the enhancement to make iPhone purchases easier, I think they also need to deal with unreadable diagrams in the books (perhaps a problem for the Kindle too?).

http://www.snelgeldlenenbinnen.../

Comment from Nicolee Faria on 2011-01-21

2011-01-21T18:56:23Z

pff ...I still don't understand how someone could read an entire book on a screen. It just doesn't feel write to me.

http://gamingthelottery.com

Comment from Magnetic Generator on 2010-12-28

2010-12-28T18:13:49Z

Good stuff with this post here. I hope others find it as useful as I did. Please keep it up.

Comment from Get My Ex Back on 2010-11-24

2010-11-24T08:56:15Z

I just fond this and got it from app. store. It's not the best app, but it will do. I think it makes much more sense on Ipad then ipods and iphones since ipad has a larger screen. Don't know if I'll be using it

Comment from Dannyashton on 2010-09-02

2010-09-02T09:00:07Z

I am starting to seeing many people on trains..etc reading books on their iphone. Why can people easily spend $800 for a phone but not invest another $139 for a suitable reading device. Reading on a iphone as compared to an e-reader like the kindle is like comparing using soft toliet paper to sandpaper.

People need to get their prioriteis straight and invest in a kindle.

Danny - Kindle 3 Cases

Comment from Snel Geld Lenen on 2010-08-13

2010-08-13T20:54:16Z

I'm sure with the iPad available now this will be huge!! Like the chicken and the egg...a killer device with an app and books...just perfect!

Comment from Rubbermaid carts on 2010-08-01

2010-08-01T18:47:47Z

Can we only read ebooks from Amazon on Kindle? Doesnt it have a pdf reader where we can read any pdf files we have?

Comment from Medela Pump on 2010-08-01

2010-08-01T11:45:13Z

This may just be another direction that the internet will take, we just have to wait and see.If it takes off, I'm sure Google will adjust.

Comment from neetu on 2010-07-18

2010-07-18T23:02:41Z

the war still continue with iphone being a brand ambassador, but amazon effort to fight it off is paying, i hope it bring in good returns

Comment from indir on 2009-12-24

2009-12-24T09:17:05Z

I read this somewhere else too, lookign forward for these devices. no sorry.

Comment from Weight Loss Tips on 2009-12-22

2009-12-22T21:53:45Z

I still don't understand how someone could read an entire book on a screen. It just doesn't feel write to me.

-Phil

Comment from Tea Bags on 2009-12-05

2009-12-06T05:39:23Z

Mysteriously absent from Kindle for iPhone is text-to-speech... I think this is a deliberate omission to make the app available sooner, rather than a result of the rights issue surrounding the technology. Updating this app to use text-to-speech is a no-brainer; people have been trained for years to use iPods (and derivatives) for audio.

Comment from Warcraft Gold on 2009-12-01

2009-12-01T19:08:07Z

Although the "Get Books" function does fire up a browser, the mobile Kindle store is REALLY well integrated with this app. Just click "Get Books" to go to the Kindle store, browse for books using a site that's designed specifically for the iPhone, buy the book (it integrated seamlessly with my existing Amazon account and 1-Click settings), and it will automatically deliver it to your iPhone. Really fast and easy. All in all, this is an amazing app and great addition to the iPhone.

Comment from geld lenen on 2009-11-25

2009-11-25T12:48:33Z

I read this somewhere else too, lookign forward for these devices.

Comment from Pattaya Thailand Essentials on 2009-10-14

2009-10-14T07:30:10Z

I saw an article today that hopes these types of devices or applications may be the saviour for the newspapers. I still have my doubts because you don't need a kindle to get your news, it's still free online.

Comment from Dans on 2009-09-01

2009-09-01T10:04:43Z

previously thought and won thanx.

Comment from Baliku on 2009-08-25

2009-08-25T20:33:53Z

"One major feature that is missing from this app, however, is the ability to add notes to your books."
For a traditional reader like me this will be a big problem, I like underlining some important point of the articles.

Comment from Arnold on 2009-07-26

2009-07-27T00:52:18Z

I wonder what the Kindle may do to libraries and our concept of the book. Will our children have a completely different understanding of the word “text.” I found a good discussion on the matter at pandalous. It’s here: http://www.pandalous.com/topic/is_the_world_ready_for

Comment from Rap on 2009-07-24

2009-07-24T15:42:05Z

I think it's only a short time before Amazon abandons DRM for digital books, and also makes a Kindle with a colored screen. Personally, I have no problem reading books on an iPhone, as I don't want to lug around a Kindle, but true, a large page size is much easier to read.

Check out my blog post on this issue and how it related to Digital Rights Management and fee free to leave a comment:

Comment from Hiphop on 2009-07-24

2009-07-24T15:40:31Z

Question - is there a way to link to an iphone friendly page to buy a book from the Amazon Store? For example, a website has an "add book to your iPhone Kindle" button - directs the user to that books page for addition to their library?

Comment from TheMommason on 2009-05-29

2009-05-29T15:13:27Z

I just pre-ordered the KindleDX for my son's 10th Bday and looking at getting myself the Kindle 2. I saw that this free app is avalible for the iPhone and wonder if anyone knows....if I purchase Kindle books now before we get the Kindle DX will I have to repurchase to download to the Kindle or do I have a order library on Amazon? I know we can send our Kndle downloaded books to the iPhone but do not see the reverse as an option spoken of. Should you instead order but download to iTunes on your MAC or PC... I just got lost myself somebody help! LOL

Now here is a real question if we took "green company" money (And the billions to AIG back) couldn't we provide children in schools with a Kindle, hire the masses of unemployed to convert books that are not high on publishing houses list of priorities to digitize(multiple platforms of course) have the rights to the books that are digitzed with Tax payer funds be free use to school boards (this is not counting all public domain books that of course would then be free avalible via the LOC). So we got people jobs that are building computer skills increased literacy and made it so that children van actually bring their school books home!!!! With notes from thier teachers, cut coping and library costs to allow for those things called teachers to actually be in the classroom at ratios that allow learning not just babysitting. Kids can down load books at their reading level !!! This is a huge one for me having a 4th grader that has read all the Xanath novels by Piers Anthony in 2 months, is currently reading Orson Scott Card's Ender and Bean sagas and pretty much has only brain vacation level books avalible in his school. With a free open to all students download option for students there could be a lexal menu for the children's access at or slightly above level books are offered in the "order", the dictionary as you read section could be expanded so that the literacy levels and the Pleasure in reading could truely make the next generation a generation of Readers which leads to Writers :)

Comment from wow gold on 2009-03-16

2009-03-17T06:17:56Z

I'll be contented with my iPhone for now and wait for the enhanced version to read e-books.

Comment from GeekBrat on 2009-03-04

2009-03-05T03:01:05Z

Has anyone even thought of comparing the iPhone Kindle app to the WindowsMobile, Palm. Symbian, or BlackBerry MobiPocket app that the Kindle app is probably a port of?

http://techtalk.cyberbrats.net/blog/geekbrat/2009/03/04/mobipocket-for-iphone/

GeekBrat

Comment from Karen in TN on 2009-03-04

2009-03-04T21:57:26Z

I've posted a quick overview of the limitations and one added feature of the Kindle Iphone App on my blog:

http://booksontheknob.blogspot.com/2009/03/kindle-marries-iphone.html

Along with pictures of all three Kindle devices, open to the same book, comparing fonts and graphics between them:

http://booksontheknob.blogspot.com/2009/03/kindle-iphone-pictures.html

Comment from Artem on 2009-03-04

2009-03-04T17:10:39Z

Not available yet in Canadian App Store :( I wonder if they have any plans on that.

Comment from Robert Paterson on 2009-03-04

2009-03-04T16:43:44Z

Check out my blog post on this issue and how it related to Digital Rights Management and fee free to leave a comment:

http://robpaterson.wordpress.com/

BTW: I agree with Andrew up there that if Kindle for iPhone improves, Stanza will probably go the way of Betamax, unless Stanza can offer something better or truly unique.

Rob

Comment from KH on 2009-03-03

2009-03-04T07:52:08Z

PS- Add to the above complaints:

You have to swipe the screen to move from page to page. Why can't they make this a tap for advancing through pages, like Stanza? Swiping is going to get very old, very fast.

I'm almost wondering if they don't want to make the iPhone app *too* good -- and thus put a damper on Kindle sales. I know Amazon is smart enough to make a better reader than this...

Comment from KH on 2009-03-03

2009-03-04T07:47:34Z

I was thrilled to see Amazon bring Kindle content to the iPhone. But I was disappointed to see that this is really cr*ppy reader software.

Very limited selection of font size.
No options for typeface.
No inverted screen (white text on black).
Text is full-justified (!) - Horrible choice for readability.

Terrible choices. I hope they fix this.

Comment from Justyn Howard on 2009-03-03

2009-03-04T07:29:05Z

Comment from Andrew Lombardi on 2009-03-03

2009-03-04T06:59:09Z

Cameron largely misses the point here, and Frederic reiterates what is plainly obvious. The app could be the most basic, crash every so often, and people will definitely still use it because of content.

Content for an eBook reader is king, and Stanza will end up being the Betamax of the eBook Readers.

Comment from Frederic Lardinois on 2009-03-03

2009-03-04T06:47:32Z

Cameron - good point - its a solid app, but not great. But it's Amazons huge selection of books that will probably make Kindle for iPhone a huge hit - even if it ignores open standards like epub and isn't the best reader around.

Comment from Cameron on 2009-03-03

2009-03-04T06:43:51Z

In comparing Kindle on the iPhone to other ebook readers for the iPhone i can't help but feel that Amazon made this to be a hook to sell you a Kindle.

The reading experience is just not as good as Stanza.

The place it does shine though is i can easily read a sample of a book on the go. I can also easily pick up a book no matter where i am, which will make me want to get back to my Kindle even more.

With already existing ebook readers on the iphone that Amazon could have learned from i feel that the Amazon effort is lackluster.

It is Wonderful if you already have a Kindle, but is in no way a good attempt at a standalone ebook reader.

Just like with Kindle. You are better off waiting for version 2 before investing in lots of books for you iphone