This is great! I have my Kindle 2 and DX listed on eBay. I was really counting on the fact that Amazon would support an iPad. Great to see it didn't take them long. Hopefully there will be no issues with Apple's approval process.
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Amazon Preparing Kindle App for iPad
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Apple would also be smart to allow iBooks on the Touch and iPhone too. Otherwise there will certainly be moments of frustration when someone's in line or having to wait someplace without the iPad and they can't continue their book. It'd be handing a major advantage to Amazon and B&N.
[my 2¢]
I can't see why Apple wouldn't allow this app on the iPad... they've already allowed Amazon on the iPhone and iPod touch. That would be super weird. I don't think Apple cares where a person buys their $10 book (or free content) just as long as they bought the $499-829 iPad to read it on.
What Apple needs to do is simply work with Amazon so that a person can easily read their eBook in Apple's iBooks App. This is to Amazon's advantage because if people are not happy with with the reading experience (which I still believe Apple's will always be the best), and if they're not able to read through iBooks, they will simply just ship and immediately start buying from Apple and Amazon will lose on all fronts (hardware and now, the software).
It's to Apple's advantage because there are some hardcore readers that have a lot invested in their Kindle content-wise and wouldn't consider changing unless they could bring their library with them. Once they hear that they can bring them over AND have the best reading experience, they'll most likely switch.
eInk: there are plenty of eInk advocates that simply won't budge. But I think there are also plenty of eInk advocates that aren't as entrenched as they think they are -- and when they finally see the iPad and as it becomes more and more advanced, they will finally give up the battle and buy and iPad. Come on in, friends... the water is fine!
[/my 2¢]
I can't see why Apple wouldn't allow this app on the iPad... they've already allowed Amazon on the iPhone and iPod touch. That would be super weird. I don't think Apple cares where a person buys their $10 book (or free content) just as long as they bought the $499-829 iPad to read it on.
What Apple needs to do is simply work with Amazon so that a person can easily read their eBook in Apple's iBooks App. This is to Amazon's advantage because if people are not happy with with the reading experience (which I still believe Apple's will always be the best), and if they're not able to read through iBooks, they will simply just ship and immediately start buying from Apple and Amazon will lose on all fronts (hardware and now, the software).
It's to Apple's advantage because there are some hardcore readers that have a lot invested in their Kindle content-wise and wouldn't consider changing unless they could bring their library with them. Once they hear that they can bring them over AND have the best reading experience, they'll most likely switch.
eInk: there are plenty of eInk advocates that simply won't budge. But I think there are also plenty of eInk advocates that aren't as entrenched as they think they are -- and when they finally see the iPad and as it becomes more and more advanced, they will finally give up the battle and buy and iPad. Come on in, friends... the water is fine!
[/my 2¢]
iBooks is not built in, which is exactly the reason why they can approve the Amazon and B&N applications.
By the way, ibooks is not a built in app.
no no no, I think, iBooks is not a bult in app.
I would bet all 3 will have universial binaries supporting all Apple Touch computers.
Genius!! Bravo Amazon!!
Apple can either allow the app and have a direct competitor on THEIR device OR get sued for anti-competitive practices!!!
Apple can either allow the app and have a direct competitor on THEIR device OR get sued for anti-competitive practices!!!
"Also mentioned is the ability for users to shop for more Kindle eBooks. Amazon does not state, however, whether this functionality will be built into the iPad app."
I can't see why Amazon shouldn't embed this into the app. Getting dumped back from one app to the next (ie into Safari, then out back to the app) is what can sometimes make using the iPhone feel a bit crap. If they did the same thing in the iPad I'll be more than a little disappointed.
Build it all in so that when we want to indulge we can browse, buy and read all in in the one app. Imagine it like a real store where you want us to stick around and read a little, linger and then buy something nice. We get distracted easy so making us go out of your app is a bit like letting us leave a physical store, and runs the risk that the next guy down the street gets the business.
I can't see why Amazon shouldn't embed this into the app. Getting dumped back from one app to the next (ie into Safari, then out back to the app) is what can sometimes make using the iPhone feel a bit crap. If they did the same thing in the iPad I'll be more than a little disappointed.
Build it all in so that when we want to indulge we can browse, buy and read all in in the one app. Imagine it like a real store where you want us to stick around and read a little, linger and then buy something nice. We get distracted easy so making us go out of your app is a bit like letting us leave a physical store, and runs the risk that the next guy down the street gets the business.
Very interesting to see that Amazon is going forward with the iPad Kindle App. If the iPad Kindle App materializes it basically means Amazon is giving up on its own Kindle hardware (at least at the current prices). Why spend $259 for a VERY BASIC Kindle Reader when for $499 you can have the iPad and its large full color screen plus the internet. From Amazon's point of view it probably sounds great, I doubt they were making much money if any from the Kindle (hardware + cellular access). But instead planned to make up for it with eBook downloads. Now Apple builds the reader for them and you still get to sell them books, GREAT!
I'm still a bit worried that Apple might block the Kindle App or kill it some day at its own discretion. If Amazon is making money on ebooks, why can't Apple? And by killing the Kindle App would you make more money as you force people to go through your iBooks? Of course if doing so would hurt your iPad sales then you let the Kindle App live.
Apple is at a significant fork in the road for its iPad/iPhone products. Do they force everyone to stick w/ their stores iTunes/iBooks, or do you concede an open market and allow people to buy their content from where ever they choose.
I'm still a bit worried that Apple might block the Kindle App or kill it some day at its own discretion. If Amazon is making money on ebooks, why can't Apple? And by killing the Kindle App would you make more money as you force people to go through your iBooks? Of course if doing so would hurt your iPad sales then you let the Kindle App live.
Apple is at a significant fork in the road for its iPad/iPhone products. Do they force everyone to stick w/ their stores iTunes/iBooks, or do you concede an open market and allow people to buy their content from where ever they choose.
Your second paragraph is the reason that your first paragraph might prove to be wrong
iBooks is not built-in because it's not *yet* available in other countries.
this doesn't mean Amazon and B&N app will be approved. Although i hope Apple does.
No, it's not built-in because it's not built-in. There are plenty of Apple apps that are not built-in.
It makes sense for it not to be built-in. They can update it more frequently, people who don't want it, don't have to use it, and it allows for other reading apps to coexist.
it's already here, de-drm for the kindle files and calibre for the conversion.Hmmmm... I wonder what the bounty on a Kindle > iBook "conversion tool" would be.
No PDF support as far as i am aware, just epubs.
Umm, there's no anti-trust issue here, they are not direct competitors. In fact, if anything, Amazon has the largest market share of the book market, and they would face anti-trust more than Apple. Apple has the right to decide that's accepted and not accepted on their devices. Just as Amazon has the right to knock Apple's products off their store.
Has nothing to do with Amazon, it's Apple's policy here. They told Amazon to remove the built in store or face total rejection of their applications. Same way they told many developers not to support USB sync or face total rejections.
It doesn't matter as people can sync their own ePubs collection through iTunes. So, that's not the reason to prevent people from downloading iBooks in other country. Many other countries don't have access to movies either, or music as they are not licensed in that country but iTunes app is still built in.
iBooks is not built in most likely because Apple probably wants to update it more often as it may not be ready by launch date.
Interesting. I didn't read about that in the article here but can't say that I'm entirely surprised.
Kindle app better than iBooks?
If the iBooks store does not have some sort of Whisper sync tech (I have not heard that it does) then the Kindle app may be better for multi device support.
If the iBooks store does not have some sort of Whisper sync tech (I have not heard that it does) then the Kindle app may be better for multi device support.
I have a Kindle DX and will be selling it and buying an iPad ONLY after the Kindle app for it is released. The Kindle has made me love to read, something I simply wasn't into before.
The iPad offers an eReader as well as added abilities, so I'd love one. However, no Kindle app on the iPad means no iPad for me.
The iPad offers an eReader as well as added abilities, so I'd love one. However, no Kindle app on the iPad means no iPad for me.
Dr.
That's the exact reason I ordered the iPad. I tried out the Kindle app on my touch and was blown away! The text was nice and crisp and I really found it a lot easier on my eyes then reading on my kindle. I came to the same conclusion you have regarding the e-link display and I also tried the LED light accessories. They and the kindle screen just don't cut it, unless as you stated I have a lot of light, then it's easy for me to read.
Can't wait for the iPad to show up at my door!--)))
Why would it, there's only one device for it. There's not going to be an iBook for the Mac, or for the iPhone.
I would not be surprised if there was an App Store for the Macintosh soon and that it will have ports of many iPhone/iPad applications.
Yeah, I agree. I think Apple mainly wants to sell iPads; books would be a side business. As many people helpfully pointed out, iBooks isn't even a built in app. I think that says it right there; If Apple considered books core functionallity they would have shipped it installed on every iPad.
It might be that a lot of Kindle owners will see the iPad as an upgrade when they are looking to replace their old Kindle. (And I get the feeling Amazon is OK with that.)
Half the fingers are already out, and iBooks is not on the top of the iPad development priorities list currently. Subscription based services for companies to generate revenue with the iPad are where it's at baby.
Doesnt this just give people reason to not buy another Kindle? I guess if they were going to defect anyway at least you get some of their money this way. I always thought that Amazon was better to be in the retail business and that the Kindle was just a way to spur the ebook market into existence.
why would they not aprove the app? If anything it would help them sale more ipads because less people would buy a kindel and buy the ipad instead. think about the control apple will have over the ebook maket. Now lets say you said i am just going to get the ipad and use the kindle app. now since the ibooks app is free why not download it and try it out. you like the ibooks app u start to use that one more and more. that means apple got you to buy an ipad over a kindel so they already got what they wanted from you.