I've tried both eReader and Bookshelf on the iPhone. eReader works fine and enables you to find text, BUT you can't add your own things (that you didn't buy from them) on it, at least that's how it looks. I was able to download some books that I bought years ago from Palm to it, as they were still on my online download shelf. Bookshelf seems potentially much better. I downloaded (from my Mac) about 10 fb2 books in 30 seconds wirelessly -- very impressive. BUT Bookshelf does not allow you to search text and, as far as I can see, the TOC doesn't work. That means you have to scroll through the whole book to find, say, chapter 15. I suspect this is a limitation of the first version. Both are easy to read -- better than I would have thought. They're perhaps a bit better than a Palm with a large screen.

I'd like to hear more about Bookshelf. What other formats does it read? How much did it cost?

I wrote to support and got an email back immediately from Zac Bedell, who wrote the program. He's working on new features and promises an improved version in 2 weeks or so. The program reads text, html, palm, fb2 and "other formats" and apparently works for Russian also (I haven't tried it). It only costs $9.99 and is well worth it -- I think I'll be able, finally, to get rid of my Palm (assuming there's something like DocsToGo on the iPhone).

Sounds like it's based on FBReader.

Sounds like it's based on FBReader.

I think it is based on the jailbreak-only reader called books.app. Zac Bedell is the guy who made the original iphone reader.

Are you really sure eReader for the iPod Touch won't allow reading eReader eBooks that I have sitting on my computer?

I've tried both eReader and Bookshelf on the iPhone. eReader works fine and enables you to find text, B


How do you get the 2.0 firmware update? My son is trying to get it for his iPod Touch but he can't seem to find it.

BOb

Firmware 2.0 is available for the iPhone now, but not currently for the iPod Touch. The web site says "coming soon".

How do you get the 2.0 firmware update? My son is trying to get it for his iPod Touch but he can't seem to find it.

BOb
Make sure your iTunes is updated to 7.7 and then with the Touch connected to the USB port, look for updates for the Touch. You will have to pay $9.95 for the 2.0 update. I updated my wife's Touch last night just as we went to bed. And now it's all updated.

Warning - the update backs up all your content to your PC, does the update, then restores the content. In the case of a "full" 32GB iPod Touch like mine, the process takes something like 4h to complete (but there's no interaction, so you can just set it going and leave it). Don't start it if you know you'll need it in the next hour or so.

The problem with moving stuff you have on your computer is how Apple has the file system of the iPhone locked down. There's no simple way to get around it.

That's why the Bookshelf (I believe) guy actually had to create a server program to run on your computer to allow you to move files to the iphone.

Warning - the update backs up all your content to your PC, does the update, then restores the content. In the case of a "full" 32GB iPod Touch like mine, the process takes something like 4h to complete (but there's no interaction, so you can just set it going and leave it). Don't start it if you know you'll need it in the next hour or so.
Or you can do what I did. I started the update process and left it running when I went to bed, woke up and it was all done.

Yes, it's a pity that Apple have removed the ability to mount as an "external" USB drive from the iPhone/Touch. That would have certainly made life a lot easier for such applications!

Yeah... :sighs: as much as I love Apple they are such control freaks!

Make sure your iTunes is updated to 7.7 and then with the Touch connected to the USB port, look for updates for the Touch. You will have to pay $9.95 for the 2.0 update. I updated my wife's Touch last night just as we went to bed. And now it's all updated.

Yes thanks. He was finally able to get it yesterday after several tries. I was using the new AIM client on it last night... very nice, except I kept hitting the wrong keys on that tiny keyboard.

I was going to try eReader on it, I do have one eReader book I bought (for my Sony stupidly). Although I don't have that credit card anymore... not sure if I know the full number. Can I just put a new CC number in the eReader store so that book will use it?

BOb

Hi Bob,

This was posted today to the Fictionwise mailing list in response to a very similar question:


> The most common reason would be that the card you last registerd with
> fictionwise is expired. You would need to go into your account, go to
> UPDATE MY PROFILE (on the left down a bit) scroll down to the section
> SECURE EREADER UNLOCK CODE and register a new card. That info will be
> used to encode your ereader files when downloading from iphone
> application.


Hope that helps.

Nice... I might have an eBook or two in my eReader library that I purchased when eReader was doing a free giveaway. I'll have to see if I can change my info and get one of those books onto the Touch.

Hi Bob,

This was posted today to the Fictionwise mailing list in response to a very similar question:



Hope that helps.

Am I supposed to see books I bought at ereader.com on my Fictionwise bookshelf? I assume I can change the unlockcode/creditcard on the eReader web site too.

BOb

When you enter the password/login combo for ereader.com you'll only see your ereader.com purchases. (Unless of course they are the same and then I have no idea)

You can change the unlock code at the ereader.com site for your ereader downloads and at the Fictionwise site for your fictionwise.com purchases.

Do the iPhone and/or the iTouch have batteries which can be easily replaced by the user??

I love my iPod, but this is the one thing that really irks me. I know that I can get a battery kit and do it myself, but it is a pain in the rear (and voids any warranty).

I wouldn't mind sending it in for replacement, but, you don't get your original iPod back ... just a replacement, which might be in better or worse condition than the one you sent in.

Now, if they have the same silly "send in your product and we'll send you back a used one with a new battery" policy for iPhones and iTouches, I know I will be unlikely to buy one.

Do the iPhone and/or the iTouch have batteries which can be easily replaced by the user??


In a word...NO.


I love my iPod, but this is the one thing that really irks me. I know that I can get a battery kit and do it myself, but it is a pain in the rear (and voids any warranty).


The batter last much longer than the 1 year warranty. And, if you do have problems with the battery during the warranty period it is covered.

BOb

In a word...NO.



The batter last much longer than the 1 year warranty. And, if you do have problems with the battery during the warranty period it is covered.

BOb

Yes, it's covered ... however, even under warranty, they will not guarantee that you get your own device back. Which sort of sucks.

Yes, it's covered ... however, even under warranty, they will not guarantee that you get your own device back. Which sort of sucks.

Why does that suck? My son had a problem with his iPod. We went to the apple store... they confirmed the problem and swapped it out.

BOb

Why does that suck? My son had a problem with his iPod. We went to the apple store... they confirmed the problem and swapped it out.

BOb

I don't think that taking in a new iPod to an Apple Store and getting a new one back sucks. But then, that's not what I'm talking about.

I'm talking about sending in a unit to Apple and not getting that unit, or a new unit to replace it, back.

Not everyone lives near an Apple Store, Bob. So, we can't just do a swapsie over the counter. And, when you send in a unit for something as simple as a battery change, you would hope that you might get your unit back. They certainly aren't sending out new ones just for the fun of it.

I don't think that taking in a new iPod to an Apple Store and getting a new one back sucks. But then, that's not what I'm talking about.


Ok, are you being difficult on purpose?

Swap your OWN battery... you won't need a new one until it is out of warranty. No mess, no fuss.

BOb

Ok, are you being difficult on purpose?

Swap your OWN battery... you won't need a new one until it is out of warranty. No mess, no fuss.

BOb

No, but I think you are. :D

I very likely will get a battery kit and do it myself. I was not very happy when my first iPod battery went bad ... within the warranty period ... and I sent my unit in to have it replaced, and they sent me back a unit that clearly was not mine (I noticed that the engraving was no longer on the case ... that was my first clue).

So .... I still happen to think the policy sucks. If you like it, then that's fine by me. I think you have a perfect right to your opinion. Mine is simply that the Apple policy sucks.

So .... I still happen to think the policy sucks. If you like it, then that's fine by me. I think you have a perfect right to your opinion. Mine is simply that the Apple policy sucks.

Cheers... that's cool. Although I thought they had a way to request the same unit was sent back for repair but it could take much longer. I thought they had special considerations for engraved units. Did you ask about it?

BOb

Hope that helps.

Yep, thanks. Just went to eReader.com, changed my credit card info and now I am able to read Gibralter Earth on my son's iPod Touch. Nice little reader. Has the basics. A few font selections, 4 size selections, read landscape or portrait and just a little finger swipe to turn the pages, TOC, dictionary support. I don't see a way to do bookmarks, but I don't generally do that anyway.

It nice actually as a travel device, I could use it. But, the stipid DRM of course isn't compatible with my Kindle. ARGH!!!

BOb

Cheers... that's cool. Although I thought they had a way to request the same unit was sent back for repair but it could take much longer. I thought they had special considerations for engraved units. Did you ask about it?

BOb

Yes, I did .... they told me the policy was that I would get a new unit while it was under warranty, and a used unit if it was no longer under warranty.

I asked them what would happen if I sent them a very lightly used unit out of warranty and got one back that had seen a lot more use than mine. They said .... it might happen, and we're sorry, but there is nothing we can do about that.

Now, that's the part of the policy that I think sucks. I would have much rather had my lightly used (and engraved) unit back rather than a new one, but I was not given that option.

Perhaps their policy has changed, but speaking only for myself, unless they start making products with user changeable batteries, I will not be putting any more money into Apple products. No matter how "sexy" they make them.

I wrote to support and got an email back immediately from Zac Bedell, who wrote the program. He's working on new features and promises an improved version in 2 weeks or so. The program reads text, html, palm, fb2 and "other formats" and apparently works for Russian also (I haven't tried it). It only costs $9.99 and is well worth it -- I think I'll be able, finally, to get rid of my Palm (assuming there's something like DocsToGo on the iPhone).
talaivan,

How did you get ahold of Zac Bedell? On the Book Shelf web site there are no links to contact him.

If any one can help on this I am moe then happy to listen! I am trying to get some Baen books to work in the new app. Every time I click on the book on te iphone it just closes out the program. The files are prc. Books from the opensourcework fine but ca't get these to work.

Can any gve help or have away to contact Zac Bedell that would be great.

Thanks.

support *at* iphonebookshelf *dot* com is the address I used - edited approriately, of course. He got back to me really quickly, as well.