Who says that books are dead?Whoever said that must’ve think that people don’t actually read anymore. Oh wait, isn’t that what Apple’s psychedelic CEO used to say?
When fronted with the release of Amazon’s Kindle, Steve Jobs made his usual skillful yet bold statement that’s science proven from his sarcastic mind: “It doesn’t matter how good or bad the product is, the fact is that people don’t read anymore,” he said. “Forty percent of the people in the U.S. read one book or less last year. The whole conception is flawed at the top because people don’t read anymore.”
That’s what he said, but don’t trust anything that Steve is trying to convince you today. Because he might change it the very next day, just like when he’s so sure that video in iPod is a ridiculous idea. He thought people won’t be watching video on iPod’s tiny screen instead of working or doing something else, but then what happened? All of the iPod line-ups are now have video capabilities, and even with bigger screen than before.
But can the same situation be applied to iPhone as e-book reader? Well, of course iPhone has a big 3.5-inch widescreen with 480x320 resolutions. Not to mention its multi-touch display is capable to bring animated and richer e-book experience, that and the colorful display are easily bested out the Kindle.
The screen is what makes iPhone so good, but at the same it also the main problem for viewing e-books too long. iPhone’s backlit display will make our eyes tired faster, and surely it also need to drink plenty of battery juice to lit it up. Such in contrast with the Kindle, which its 6-inch with 800x600 resolutions screen and E Ink technology are specially made for long stare of reading e-book pages.I could go on and on, comparing both the advantages and disadvantages from both devices. To make it short, I hope the right thumbnail picture of comparison chart can help to quickly describe them better. Although the price for iPhone there should be altered, because the iPhone 3G will be available in cheaper price tag (around $299 for the 16GB model).
If price of the device is your concern, Brett Arends at The Wall Street Journal argues that if you read a lot, the Kindle can help you save money because e-books are cheaper than the paper kind. But he acknowledges that you have to buy 61 books before the device pays for itself.I noticed that many of you, PalmAddict readers have also been longing to use your iPhone as e-book reader like the Kindle. The only one and the biggest obstacle is iPhone app support to do so, it is software compatibility to view the standard of e-book that has been limiting iPhone to become a true e-book reader.
What has been holding Apple from bringing the e-book into its famous iPhone? It’s a big mystery for all of us, if we’re to talk about software standard, then it’s not going to be a problem for Apple. PDF is the right format for e-book, PDF is native to OS X and Safari so iPhone is naturally will enjoy the same treatment.
While for the distribution/selling of e-book & e-book reader apps can be done through iTunes or the upcoming App Store, it is hassle free and less risky both for Apple and iPhone owners.We wouldn’t know whether Apple will pick-up the idea of commercialize e-book into iPhone or not, in the mean time for iPhone owners can use this eBooks app. It’s a simple eBook reader for the iPhone. It reads HTML and text files stored in your ~/Media/EBooks folder, and is smart enough to enter subdirectories, if for instance, you've broken a book down by chapters.
For you who are in great fond of Project Gutenberg or GutenMark, then eBooks app is the right one for you. It’s able to make pretty HTML out of Gutenberg .txt files, and splits them by chapter using a second tool.
eBooks app has quite some useful settings, one in particular I like is the dark view of e-book pages. If you’re interested to know more of this free app for your iPhone, then read how to install it first and know how to get eBooks onto your phone. Happy reading then!
I really can’t wait to see how Apple will do next about e-book, it is always in high demands; and Apple along with Steve Jobs himself won’t be able to deny anymore. Especially when the dual-display e-book reader, that’s currently being developed by researchers at Maryland and Berkeley Universities, is released to customers.
The two leaves can be opened and closed to simulate turning pages, or even separated to pass round or compare documents. When the two leaves are folded back, the device shows one display on each side. Simply turning it over reveals a new page. Let’s enjoy the video demo below, while waiting for Apple’s next move. ;-pBut long before that dual-display e-book reader is out, there’s more important things to think about: who will evolve first, the iPhone becomes full e-book reader or the Kindle becomes useful “convergence” device (with functionality like iPhone’s such as making & receiving calls, sending SMS & email, etc.)?
It’s alright to keep the enthusiast level of ours at high pitch, and perhaps we can even dare to dream of the once rumored iTablet (pictured right)? Oooh…, I can see some of you are getting excited already? ;-)Sources are from:
[blogged with my Treo 750v]
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