While I remain sceptical until I see it in my own hands, others have already asked the question if the iPhone could also serve as an e-book reader:

What's significant about iTunes and pdfs is that you're talking about a general-purpose content distribution network with a device that gets its volume from markets like music, photos, and video, that are well ahead of books as first class digital objects. I just don't see how any book-specific device has that much of a chance.

http://radar.oreilly.com/archives/2007/01/the_iphone_as_a.html

Setting aside the comfort issues, the iPhone could either kill the nascent e-reader business or take it to new levels. We’ve been saying just about forever that the problem with dedicated e-reader is the fact that the consumer isn’t seeking a device that does only one thing. With its “smart” orientation features, the iPhone could usher in the mass market e-book era.

http://www.booksquare.com/archives/2007/01/10/2258/

What do you think? Will the iPhone stand a chance against the Sony Reader & Co?

A dedicated device will always see more use as a reader. But the iPhone will get some use as an occasional reader in situations where one is waiting for an appointment. The same situations as where my phone serves as a music reader instead of my iPod. If it is possible with the iPhone to rotate the display and resize text, like with the Sony, I will use one.

A dedicated device will always see more use as a reader. But the iPhone will get some use as an occasional reader in situations where one is waiting for an appointment. The same situations as where my phone serves as a music reader instead of my iPod. If it is possible with the iPhone to rotate the display and resize text, like with the Sony, I will use one.

Rotating the display is one of those cool features on the iPhone (no button, just rotate the display itself). I guess they should support most standard format too: PDF, TXT, RTF etc... so text resizing should be possible too.

I wouldn't read books on something else than e-ink, but I guess some people would, so yes, e-books could sell quite well on the iPhone.

Looks like PDF.... But NO DOC Excell.

3.5 even a stretch one is not that frendly on text. I use the A2 with a 4" to read and even the Dell PDA but compared to the Sony's is like night and day.

Full disclosure: I am a Mac guy.

I used to use a PDA constantly, mostly for reading with some offline browsing. Since I picked up a dedicated reader (eBookwise), I hardly use my PDA, and could almost stop carrying it. It would be nice to buy a smartphone to do the few things I still use it for, and maybe turn my offline browsing into online browsing. Not sure if it will be the iPhone (I am a bit disappointed with some of Apple's choices) or something by Nokia, the N800 or the rumored E90.

Still, I have to agree with yvan, there will be times it is more convenient to carry just my phone, and I could very well use it to read on occasion. Though I think I would probably be reading webfiction rather than a purchased (or public domain), downdloaded ebook.

Jack

My main concern with the iPhone: non-removable (http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/cellphones/top-five-reasons-why-the-iphone-sucks-228100.php) battery, and total talk time is only 5 hours. Dunno how long a single charge would last without recharge.

It's a closed system. That means no 3rd party apps can be installed. Which means no ebook reading software - Notes, with it's 4kb file limit just ain't gonna cut it.

So no. The iPhone won't be my next reading device.

Saw some where that the final bill after subscribing to the needed services is some where around 2k for one year.

I uses a pay as you go.

I agree its a zero as a reader.

Ah, but the iPod Touch is being opened to 3rd party apps and an ebook reader (many in fact) will among the apps!

Ah, but the iPod Touch is being opened to 3rd party apps and an ebook reader (many in fact) will among the apps!

Here is one of the reason I went with the sony reader...

I have a Cowon A2 PMP with a drop dead outstanding 4" screen.. rez of 480 x 272... All features are great except one and not its fault.. Yep reading text... Too small and too much scrolling.

http://nightwing.smugmug.com/photos/113258093-S.jpg

And other shots...

http://nightwing.smugmug.com/gallery/2179134#113258093

The problem is two fold... A the LCD designed itself and the small limited screen. The touch has even a smaller screen.. More rez I think but just dont think it will hold up...

It like reading a book on a pda... Good if nothing else but would not if you had something else...

Actually I have an iPhone and have used available hacks to allow third party applications to run on it. I have installed the ereader, details here:
http://www.modmyiphone.com/nativeapps/books/

Supports text and html files.

The screen is small but works quite well for reading. Easier on the eyes when you invert the colors, i.e. white text on a black background. I find it easiest to scroll through the pages by scrolling the screen up with my finger. Very nice to have an ultraportable reader.

Still, I find myself wanting to buy a dedicated eReader. The screen is small for long reading sessions, and while very clear, the back lit display does cause some extra eye strain. I am getting closer to allowing myself to spend the $300 for the Sony PRS505. Likely I will not hold out much longer.

I'm about to take the plunge on a 505, upgrading from a Librie. The iPhone screen is remarkable in that text in .pdf's is clearly readable. I think it has something to do with font anti-aliasing, which should be possible on the Sony. Oh, and an out-of-the-box iPhone can read .pdf's, but you either have to set up a website to serve them to yourself, or email them to your phone.

You can store PDFs directly on your iphone or ipod touch now but the device have to be jailbroken.

Reading ebooks in landscape mode while listening to mp3s is great.

A couple of screenshots from my ipod touch are attached. Both files are PDFs, the one on the left is an ebook displayed in portrait mode, and the one on the right is a comic displayed in portrait mode (it's just an example, I don't really read that stuff...ahem).

I pondered about buying a Sony ebooks reader but -IMHO- it depends on how many gadgets you want to carry with you.

Cheers,

If you want a secondary book reader, a PDA is - IMHO - a far better choice than an iPhone. With both Palm and Pocket PC devices one has a choice of a wide variety of book reading software which gives you access to all the popular formats, both DRM and DRM-free. I am very happily using MobiPocket Reader on my HTC Smartphone.

None of these devices compete with a dedicated bookreader, but that's not their purpose, of course. Their value is to let you read for 10 minutes in an odd moment during the day; a device that you'll always have on you.

If you want a secondary book reader, a PDA is - IMHO - a far better choice than an iPhone. With both Palm and Pocket PC devices one has a choice of a wide variety of book reading software which gives you access to all the popular formats, both DRM and DRM-free. I am very happily using MobiPocket Reader on my HTC Smartphone. :) you do realize that an HTC smartphone is the same thing the iPhone is?
a pda+phone combo. one of those things you most probably will ALWAYS have on you.
unless you want to point to the fact that the "standard-apps" like mobipocket, ms reader and eReader are not (yet?) available for the iPhone, and you're only able to read non-DRM books.
in this case you are right ... you'd have to crack those protected ebooks to convert to HTML and read on the iPhone.

i'd take the plunge, most of the books i read are unprotected and available in multiple formats. the only thing i would be hesitant to do would be to use the installer for the iPhone since it voids the warranty.
something you'd want to last for at least a year on a completely new product ... who knows what kind of bugs will show up after a few months of use.

unless you want to point to the fact that the "standard-apps" like mobipocket, ms reader and eReader are not (yet?) available for the iPhone, and you're only able to read non-DRM books.

Yes, that was exactly the point I was making. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that the iPhone can only read PDF documents? It strikes me that for this type of use, the open architecture of a Palm or Pocket PC device is far better suited to the task than the "closed" iPhone. I know that the iPhone is very good at what it does do, but you're rather "out of luck" if you want to do something different.

As I listed in my post above, the iphone book app can also be used to read text, or html formatted ebooks.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that the iPhone can only read PDF documents?

It supports HTML and text files with this application (in addition to Safari):
http://code.google.com/p/iphoneebooks/

Cheers,

Can that application be installed "legitimately" on the iPhone - ie with Apple's blessing? I was under the impression that if you installed 3rd party apps onto the iPhone you risked Apple doing unpleasant things to it when they did a software update?

I just rather object to devices where the manufacturer tries to do everything in their power to "lock it down". That's why I prefer the "open" systems like Palms and PPCs.

Nope. However, the device can be restored to its original/before jailbreaking state with ease and without Apple knowing if you installed 3rd party application on it or not.

With the recent SDK announcement, I think Apple is giving in to the market pressure and won't bug 3rd party developers as much. Smart move in light of the expected competitive pressure from the new open source Nokia devices.

But if the iPhone is dead in the water and you cannot restore it, then you cannot send it in for warranty repair.

Yes, that was exactly the point I was making. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that the iPhone can only read PDF documents? It strikes me that for this type of use, the open architecture of a Palm or Pocket PC device is far better suited to the task than the "closed" iPhone. I know that the iPhone is very good at what it does do, but you're rather "out of luck" if you want to do something different. that is my biggest gripe with the iPhone, but since the SDK will be out soon, i expect there to be a whole lot of apps for the iPhone in no time.

and maybe then mobipocket will realize that the apple platform (iPhone as well as the "full" osX) is to be taken seriously and will work on a mac version of their desktop reader and organizer.

oh, PDF files do not require that book.app program, you can read them natively on the iPhone. at least that's what steve jobs mentioned when he initially presented the iPhone to the world.

oh, PDF files do not require that book.app program, you can read them natively on the iPhone. at least that's what steve jobs mentioned when he initially presented the iPhone to the world.

I may be mistaken, but I believe that the iPhone can only read PDFs "online", rather than locally stored files.

I may be mistaken, but I believe that the iPhone can only read PDFs "online", rather than locally stored files.

It can read them offline but the trick it to get them installed on the unit in the first place. Some folks are emailing them as attachments to their phone so that they can read them offline. There are now some hacks available to get them transferred over since the iPod touch couldn't use the email trick.

Dale

Thanks Dale. It seems almost as though Apple are actively trying to prevent you from using an iPhone for this kind of thing. I think I'll stick with my Windows Mobile Smartphone for the foreseeable future!

Thanks Dale. It seems almost as though Apple are actively trying to prevent you from using an iPhone for this kind of thing. I think I'll stick with my Windows Mobile Smartphone for the foreseeable future!

Agreed. They have visibly refrained from every possibility to install text on any device, with the exception of Apple Notes' crippled iteration. Your phone looks a pretty good device!

At the moment it's got to be a great big 'maybe'. All the basics are there - a pdf reader, Safari and access to the webkit rendering engine, as well as the pdfs in iTunes. The final piece of the jigsaw - an easy way to get documents on to the machine other than by downloading online or emailing to yourself or hacking the machine - doesn't seem to be there yet (because of security issues?). I'm sure the elements will come together but wouldn't bet any money on when.