Barnes & Noble Officially Acknowledges Plans for iPad eReader Application
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The iPhone does not come with an ebook reader. The iPad will ship with Apple's iBook app.
GeekLawyer
macrumors 68020
No, it won't. It will be available for download in the App Store.
http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/Apple.com said:
Glideslope
macrumors G3
The Gates are opening. 
Robin4
macrumors 6502
Since the iBook has not even been released, I don't see how you can judge the reading experience.
I expect that Kindle, B&N, Stanza will have their own applications as most of them have on the iPhone. I am guessing here but I think iBook might be more manageable with touch recognition, thus making the reading experience more enjoyable. I think that if I had to choose between a set font, static print and an application that will be able to change according to my needs, I might choose to buy books from the one that gives me the best reading experience.
eastcoastsurfer
macrumors 6502a
Why would you guess that over the others that already exist using touch on the iPhone? Apple is coming late to the party on this one. The only reason they are doing a book app at all is to tap into the 30% for books sold. For that reason alone I could see them preventing other reading apps. Stanza is free for example and you buy many of the books outside of the app. This cuts Apple completely out of the money equation.
Robin4
macrumors 6502
The reason I am guessing is because I have bought books from the CLASSICS application and I found it an extremely comfortable experience. The only thing I did not like was that I could not change the font easily. I have also bought Kindle books and have the Stanza application. I can read them, but they are not as comfortable.
I understand iBook is using the same model that Classics has used. I have tried reading various apps., that is why I am guessing.
I don't really care who sells those books. If I don't find the iPad a good experience, I'll get a Kindle. The iPad is a welcome addition in many fronts. The iBook will not make or brake my decision to buy an iPad.
SPUY767
macrumors 68020
I find it very unlikely that Apple is going to block e-reader apps from BN or Amazon. There are a stable of users who already have potentially dozens of ebooks ready to go who might not buy and iPad if it won't work with their current content investment. Apple wants to sell hardware, they don't make money selling content.
Westside guy
macrumors 604
I'm on the fence about the iPad in general, but for sure I'm waiting until I see how Apple treats the readers from B&N and Amazon (and, conversely, whether Amazon is willing to further develop their Kindle App specifically for the iPad). It's unrealistic to expect everyone to own iPads, but you never know with Apple.
My wife already has a Kindle, for instance. I'm not a fan of Kindle's DRM, but I can at least read any books she buys on my iPod Touch (or on my laptop once Amazon releases their Mac app). My main reason for getting an iPad (IF I get one) would be to take advantage of the larger screen for those apps - like e-readers - where it'd be beneficial. If I can only read books I get from the Apple bookstore, that kills a specific reason I'm leaning towards the device.
Most people don't live in a vacuum - we have relationships, and not everyone we associate with has the same device. It seems like a lot of these companies are doing their d*mnedest to ignore that. Apple sometimes gets it, and sometimes doesn't - I hope with the iPad they end up in the former category.
My wife already has a Kindle, for instance. I'm not a fan of Kindle's DRM, but I can at least read any books she buys on my iPod Touch (or on my laptop once Amazon releases their Mac app). My main reason for getting an iPad (IF I get one) would be to take advantage of the larger screen for those apps - like e-readers - where it'd be beneficial. If I can only read books I get from the Apple bookstore, that kills a specific reason I'm leaning towards the device.
Most people don't live in a vacuum - we have relationships, and not everyone we associate with has the same device. It seems like a lot of these companies are doing their d*mnedest to ignore that. Apple sometimes gets it, and sometimes doesn't - I hope with the iPad they end up in the former category.
John.B
macrumors 601
I'm waiting until I see how Amazon treats the readers from B&N and Apple (and, conversely, whether Amazon is willing to further develop their Kindle App specifically for the Nook). It's unrealistic to expect everyone to own Kindles, but you never know with Amazon.
sishaw
macrumors 65816
No. Apple wants to sell cool hardware devices, they could care less about books, except that they know they need content for the device. They don't care who sells the books as long as people buy the iPad. I'm sure the iBookstore will provide a nicely integrated experience, but it's all in service of selling iPads. If they can sell more iPads by allowing B&N and Kindle apps, they will.
Friscohoya
macrumors 6502a
While I dont think that they should I think its quite possible that they would. I think this should all owrk like a CD in that there is one format and you can download it to itunes or whatever other program you use to listen to music. One format is the key though, but I bet Apple wants to control a proprietary format for their devices so that people have a reason to buy their devices. It makes sense from a business perspective and as long as those costs remain reasonable I am all for it. Now that I have argued for both sides of the issue I will stop talking.
Friscohoya
macrumors 6502a
Their profit from book sales will be minimal. They still make their money on the hardware.
The e-ink display is definitely easier on the eyes than an LCD over long reading periods. (I use both.) If all you want the device for is reading -- and a lot of it -- then acquiring a single-purpose device whose single-purpose is serious reading that won't fry your retinas is the way to go.
There's going to come a point where Apple will start drawing attention from the govt. for being anti-competitive, which that would be if they blocked the B&N app just because they have their iBook app. It would be a very bad idea to do so.
If anything it'll draw more people to it, because they'd be then able to buy B&N books, Kindle books, and iBooks, all on the same device. Apple's in the hardware business, what difference does it make where the book comes from? Of course, if they're getting the same 30% on books as they do apps, they'll care, I guess.
mrgreen4242
macrumors 601
Lame. This is why I have never bought an ebook, and why I am pretty unlikely to do so... Tying music or video to a particular device isn't a HUGE deal to me - regardless of what media you buy, you are going to need a player to use it. A VCR, DVD player, an iPod, iTunes, whatever. A book, though, is self contained. I look at it with my eyes, and it requires no playback device. eBooks feel like a step backwards - you aren't getting enough benefit to account for the advantages (which is basically just portability improvements). They're locked down, not lendable or re-sellable, and aren't turning out to be any cheaper.
Honestly, I think I am going to build a high-speed book scanner. I can rig something fairly small/collapsable that can make good ebooks out of physical books for well under $100.
They're in a tight spot. Amazon already has a Kindle reader for iPhone and they'll most likely update it for the upcoming iPad. If B&N wanted to stay relevant, they had to add a support for iPad as well. And here it is.
B&N already has an iPhone app, as well. Kindle reader for the iPad is assumed (and I agree) but not announced. So, really, Amazon is the one in the tight spot, by your definition. If B&N could solve the (reported) stability issues, I think the nook is a better piece of hardware than the Kindle, from my limited exposure to each.
Westside guy
macrumors 604
I don't disagree with your opinion about e-ink versus LCDs, but I'm perfectly willing to read off an LCD for long periods. As a web developer I'm staring at one 8-9 hours a day already - mostly reading/writing text.
For me, having one useful multipurpose device is worth the (IMHO small) tradeoff of having an LCD instead of an e-ink display. The key word for me there is "useful", and that's the part I still have to settle - whether the iPad will be useful enough for me to compensate for the tradeoffs involved.
Michael CM1
macrumors 603
Before this e-reader market gets totally insane, can everybody please get together and work out interoperability? I can import any mp3 into iTunes and add album artwork and tags. I don't want to use three or four different e-reader apps on one frickin' device. I already have about 10 Kindle books from my iPhone app. I like the look of Apple's application better with the virtual bookshelf.
Basically, these guys need to work together and allow e-books to work in all the e-reader software. Remember how much time the companies lost with the HD DVD/Blu-ray format war? Do we really need this for e-books?
Basically, these guys need to work together and allow e-books to work in all the e-reader software. Remember how much time the companies lost with the HD DVD/Blu-ray format war? Do we really need this for e-books?
Likewise.
Back in the day I would've killed to have my CRTs replaced with LCDs because LCDs are that much less irritating to look at all day long. These days I'm thankful for any time I can get that doesn't involve staring at an LCD screen (and "CRT" is all but a curse word). I guess I'm just getting old, and/or my eyes are burning out! E-ink is an absolute pleasure to the eyes by comparison. Would I trade e-ink eye comfort for iPad function? Probably not, but not on the basis of eye comfort alone -- I simply haven't yet identified anything that it brings to the table that I absolutely need. This could change in a month, though.
Certainly! I'm sure many people will find iPad function and overall usefulness will outweigh any deficiencies they may see in it. We shall see in a month or so!
citi
macrumors 65816
exactly, and by offering choice they keep everyone happy. I honestly don't care about Ibook, I just want to be able to get anybook I want and read on my Ipad. I have a Sony Ereader right now and it's incredibly frustrating that I have to look at 3 different book sites (Sony's, BookonBoard, and another site I can't remember right now) and many aren't compatible with Sony. This will give options, and since I pretty much by everything from Amazon, If will either be Apple or Amazon for purchases.
BN is an a losing batter IMHO
The fact that we're even having a discussion as to whether Apple would allow an e-reader should give serious pause to Apple's developer relations department. For my part, though, I think Apple won't object to the Barnes & Noble reader. It would have been trivially easy for Apple to pre-install its iBook app on the iPad, and yet it chose not to. This probably was done as a signal to would-be developers that Apple doesn't intend to own the ebook space.
Highlighting and notes
I am very excited to hear this news from B&N! A big feature that appears to be missing from Apple's iBook app is highlighting and the ability to add notes. The B&N app on the iPhone includes these features so I'm assuming the iPad version will have it as well.
I am very excited to hear this news from B&N! A big feature that appears to be missing from Apple's iBook app is highlighting and the ability to add notes. The B&N app on the iPhone includes these features so I'm assuming the iPad version will have it as well.
AidenShaw
macrumors P6
Shows how much faith they have in their own ereader.
Or, it shows that their hearts are in selling ebooks, not reader
hardware.
I wouldn't be surprise if both Amazon and B&N would welcome the
chance to exit the hardware market ASAP - and portable content on
a wide number of slates would do just that.
(Not a closed market of one proprietary slate, though.)
JGowan
macrumors 68000
Does Apple allow an Amazon.com Music Buying App or one from Target or Sony or Wal-Mart? If not, why would it seem so far-fetched that they would allow this type of direct competition on their iPad?!
I think Apple allowed book buying apps on the iPhone/iPod touch because it helped them become the 150,000-Trick Pony they are today -- the phone that will do EVERYTHING. However,... the iPad is truly a different situation. I believe that Apple should block the other Apps and offer only theirs. Will it bum out some people? Sure. However, these people still have their books and the smaller devices to read them on so they really do not have any reason to cry. No one says that Apple has to let their direct competitors have a premiere spot on their device. I certainly wouldn't.