Apple's Miss on eBooks

[BulletDev]

It's too bad that Apple didn't introduce they're very own eBook service earlier on for the iPhone, because now we are crowded with hundreds of independent apps that serve little or no purpose. That would be the Books section.

It isn't really too late for Apple to create they're own eBook app just like Kindle, but it's going to be a huge transition for the people who spent money on App Store novels.

[don_k]

I agree. Something like Classics (see Classics Thread ) combined with the functionality of Stanza will be fantastic.

[BulletDev]

Originally Posted by donkei

I agree. Something like Classics combined with the functionality of Stanza will be fantastic.

Exactly. If they did this, the Kindle would be completely dead, considering that more authors/publishing companies would go with Apple, iPhone/iPod is a more desirable device for less money, etc etc.

[your personal robot]

I'm in...make iPhone the better Kindle!!

[Noah]

Steve Jobs said that he'll never make an eBook device, because people don't like to read.

Me, on the other hand, recently purchased a Kindle and I LOVE it!

A touch-screen Kindle made by Apple would rock my world.

[Kuratsu]

That would be great, but for the moment I'm quite enjoying Stanza especially since you are not limited to the databases they provide you (you can add ebooks you already have).

[dcescott]

I DL'd Stanza, I can't seem to get it to work right. I have Air Share, I got it for free somehow, loaded up my ebooks to the public IP, viola! ebooks to read and share!

[silla]

Wouldn't the Kindle still have an advantage thanks to it's paper-like screen? That's the reason I want a Kindle - I'm damaging my eyes by reading books on the computer screen all the time.

How is it on the eyes to read books on the iPhone/iPod Touch?

[Noah]

Oh, the eInk screen the Kindle has is pretty much amazing. I can read for hours and not have any sort of eye strain at all.

[Maeks]

I just downloaded Stanza last night and I must say I'm kind of impressed.

It does seem like Apple is missing out, but with something like stanza, it has what seems to be all the functionality that I think Apple would put into it, despite the unnecessarily complex method to get your ebooks onto yout iPhone/Touch (download, connect ipod and computer to same network, blah blah blah).

With Stanza doing all the work, if Apple doesn't want to do it, then why should they?

But yeah, it's funny to see all those "Classics" in the app store for $.99 when you can get them for free with something like Stanza, or at your library, etc.