Classics for iPhone/iPod Touch

iPhone as an e-book reader has reached a new level now with this great e-reader app for iPhone/iPod Touch (software v2.0 required), called Classics.

The app is created by Phill Ryu and Andrew Kaz, and they really mean it when they say this about their marvelous creation: "We care deeply about these books. That's why we've spent countless hours working on making them look just right on the screen, with included illustrations when available, and even our own, custom cover designs."

The user interface is really-really gorgeous, and doesn't look like any common e-reader at all. Upon first entrance into the app, you'll be presented with a book-shelf look-alike with available books on it; this is very eye-catchy. But the real feeling to experience the classic book using Classics app, comes from flipping the pages of the books.

Classics doesn't use black & white color scheme, but instead it uses "subdued brown & beige scheme" (as what AppleInsider calls it); IMHO this kinda color scheme doesn't make your eyes tire easily. And there's simulated page turning with page turning sound effects every time you open the next page; adds to the sensation of reading great classic stories.

According to Omar McFarlane from theAppleBlog; there's no ability to add your own books (that are in PDF or text format), but the developers are evaluating this, and other possibilities, for a spinoff e-book reading app. The initial library includes:

• The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
• Gulliver’s Travels
• The Metamorphosis
• Paradise Lost
• Hound of the Baskervilles
• Alice in Wonderland (Illustrated)
• Through the Looking Glass (Illustrated)
• Flatland (Illustrated)
• 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
• Robinson Crusoe
• The Jungle Book

While according to Sam Gwilym from AppleInsider; some of the books have extra illustrations inside, such as Alice in Wonderland, which includes Sir John Tenniel's original and wondrous woodcut illustrations (unfortunately also unavailable in higher detail in this version of the app).

Classics is offered at App Store for only $2.99 price tag, click on this link to purchase it via iTunes. Looks like a great app to help parents read bed-time stories for their children, or perhaps for yourself? You child, you. ;-)

[blogged with my Treo 750v]