11-29-2012, 10:44 AM | #1 |
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iPad mini Questions
Hi everyone,
I'm considering getting an iPad mini and a large reason would be for it to hopefully become my main e-reader. I've been wanting a small tablet for awhile and have been going back and forth for months between Kindle Fire, Google Nexus and (waiting for then adding into the mix) the iPad mini. All my computers have always been Mac and I have other Apple products too, so I'm already somewhat of an "Apple person" I suppose. So I knew if a mini came out I'd probably lean towards it over a Fire or Nexus. The price is even higher than I was expecting, but I'm impressed that it's got a bigger screen yet is lighter and basically the same dimensions as the others, and I'm really looking forward to how well and easily it would integrate with my Mac and the Apple software. I was still taking my time deciding, then a great deal for the Kindle Fire came up on Monday so I bought it. But I can still change my mind and cancel it before it ships or return it, and now that's put me into "decide" mode, heh. And the thought of choosing another and not having the mini is making me want the mini even more! I have a few questions though: -I've never used iBooks. How is it? Does it show up in iTunes (is it the "Books" section) or is it a separate application? I'd love for my music, video, and now books to all be in one simple place. -My books are all epub; some are Barnes & Noble epub, many are Sony epub and the rest are no-DRM epub. Will B&N and Sony epub work on iBooks? I'd rather just use one app for all my books. -This may sound really basic, but I'm not very techy (hence why I love the simplicity of Apple products) and I'm in the mindset of a dedicated e-ink e-reader: So, I think iBooks is basically the pre-loaded "official" reading app, but then I could also add other reading apps such as a B&N nook one or a Sony Reader one or even a Kindle one, correct? And then if I wanted I could switch back and forth depending on the book and format? I'd still rather just use one main app (iBooks) but I'm trying to learn here and understand my options. -I've watched some youtubes of iBooks on the iPad mini and they answered many questions but there's one thing they didn't answer: How are the dictionaries? Are they pre-loaded, or does it go to the internet for a dictionary definition? I do really love my current dictionary on the Sony 950, the Oxford Dictionary of English, and I'd really love to continue using it on the tablet I get. Is it already pre-loaded as a dictionary, or if not, is there a way I can download it and iBooks would use it as my dictionary? -I'm huge on note-taking while reading. It looks very easy from the youtube videos; does anyone here take a lot of notes through iBooks on their iPad or mini? If so, would you say it's good/easy? Do the notes transfer to your computer easily? -Can I sync the mini with my computer wirelessly? Such as adding new books from one to the other, or transferring notes for safe keeping, etc. Or even syncing music, video, etc. -Finally, cases. I see in the Apple store there's only one, the Smart Cover, which looks great. Any first hand experience with it here? Then I look on other sites and there's a million case options. Any good ones out there? I'm looking for a very light-weight one so the Smart Cover looks good, and I like how you can fold it to stand the mini upright. However, I would like the back protected from scratches. I've heard you can get a protective film for the back, similar to a screen protector? Do those work well? |
11-29-2012, 11:07 AM | #2 |
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I don't own an iPad mini so I can't answer your hardware questions, but I can answer some of your software questions.
1. iBooks is not bad, though it's not my reading application of choice. It's distinguished principally by its desire to imitate a real book. Hence, book titles and page numbers are persistently displayed on the screen when you read and page turn animations imitate those of real books. You can also choose to read your books as an endless scroll rather than turning the page. It integrates with iTunes, which has its own book section. 2. iBooks reads epub files. It can read any sideloaded epub file whose DRM has been removed. You can easily accomplish this using Calibre and Apprentice Alf's DRM removal tools on your Sony and B&N purchases. Calibre has a function to automatically sync its library with iTunes, or you can drag and drop selected books from your folders to iTunes. 3. iBooks is not installed by default, but it is free in the app store. There are tons of other reading apps available, including Sony, Kindle, and many that are not affiliated with a store or a company. You cannot start a book in one app and finish it in another, but you can easily sideload your files to your app of preference using iTunes. NOTE: the Kindle app uses .mobi files instead of .epubs, so you will have to convert them using Calibre beforehand. 4. Notes are easy to take in iBooks. However, they do NOT synchronize with your computer. They stay in the book and can only be synchronized with other Apple phones or tablets using the same Apple ID. As far as I know, it is impossible to extract your iBooks notes as a text file, or to even view them on a mac or PC. It is possible that third-party ebook readers allow you to do this, but I'm afraid I don't know of any. 5. Yes, all iPads can be wirelessly synchronized with iTunes. Last edited by holymadness; 11-29-2012 at 11:15 AM. |
11-29-2012, 01:08 PM | #3 |
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Notes on 1. The page numbers and headers can easily be removed with a tap to the center of the screen.
Notes on 2. The note is true but there are available apps from the other readers including the Sony and Barnes and Noble. You will need the Barnes and Noble app to browse books in their store. I use the smart cover on my iPad 2 and like it very much. There are some third part covers out or coming out for the mini. I also use a carrying case with handles when I am carrying the unit around for full protection. |
11-29-2012, 01:33 PM | #4 |
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11-29-2012, 01:58 PM | #5 | |
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11-29-2012, 02:41 PM | #6 | |||||||
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11-30-2012, 11:01 AM | #7 | |||||
languorous autodidact ✦
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The Kindle Fire order has been cancelled. Poor thing never really had a chance. But like I said in the other thread, I couldn't wait any longer and now have an iPad mini waiting for me to be picked up at the Apple store!
All your answers have been very informative so far. Whatever I don't know yet I'll learn with trial and error on the mini, though I have a slow learning curve with tech stuff. Quote:
And if I really can't transfer those notes anywhere else for safe-keeping (in case the mini is destroyed or lost), what about the iCloud? I haven't used it yet but I may start for this. Would the notes be saved in the cloud? Quote:
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But where did you get this "silicon skin" from? That sounds exactly like what I was thinking about for the back to protect it from scratches without adding weight or clunkiness, and if it makes the grip better then all the better. Also, would you guys say the anti-glare protective film for the screen is worth it? I'm careful with my tech stuff and don't think I'd scratch the screen (the back's another matter since it's more easily scratchable and exposed), especially if I have the Smart Cover to cover the front when not in use. But I'm wondering if the anti-glare properties would be worth it. |
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11-30-2012, 12:02 PM | #8 | ||||
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However, I just found a way to do this! You CAN export your notes from iBooks to email. How to:
Learn something new every day. Quote:
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Last edited by holymadness; 11-30-2012 at 01:33 PM. |
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11-30-2012, 02:58 PM | #9 | ||
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What holymadness said. I'll add that I've not had any trouble converting from epub to mobi with calibre. Even if you decide to stick with epub, using calibre to organize your ebooks is still a great idea since none of the apps are great at organization. calibre is especially useful if you'll be buying the ebooks from a few different places.
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11-30-2012, 08:38 PM | #10 | |
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12-01-2012, 04:32 PM | #11 |
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For reading ePub on an iPad, the best app is Bluefire Reader. iBooks is odd at times and things that should work don't. Also, iBooks uses a rather large margin that you cannot actually get rid of. Bluefire just is better. Plus, Bluefire uses ADE so it is compatible where iBooks may or may not be compatible.
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12-02-2012, 03:14 PM | #12 | ||||
languorous autodidact ✦
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I'm loving the mini! I'm still finishing up the last book on my 950 and I wanted to finish it there to keep all its notes in the same place, but after that I'm switching my reading over to the mini. I've tried out reading some already on the mini though and I think it's great.
I did have one snafu though. I thought I could connect Bluetooth between the mini and Mac and well, I couldn't. It took a call to support and a surprised rep getting the answer from his supervisor that this type of Bluetooth functionality is not included on the mini, heh. I didn't mind though - I was trying to set it up to transfer files but I found I can do this wirelessly through iTunes sync instead I think - and I was just very relieved that my mini was OK. Quote:
Thanks for the tip on exporting notes! I think that's definitely going to come in handy for me. Quote:
Once I have my library fixed up, then I'll only have to worry about fixing new books incoming. I think it'll be more organised this way and less hassle. The only thing is my notes - they'll be locked to whatever I'm using to take them I think. Quote:
What I'm thinking is, a skin for the back, the Smart Cover for the front/standing it up (and it seems easy to take off if I want the mini lighter while I'm using it), and a nice little pouch case type thing to tuck it in when I'm not using it or when carrying it somewhere. Quote:
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12-03-2012, 12:08 AM | #13 | |
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May I add a couple questions? I think these weren't asked yet:
1- Do the narrow borders cause you to accidentally turn the page with your thumb just from holding it? 2- How easy is it to get a refund if it functions fine but you just don't like it? Quote:
Last edited by Michele; 12-03-2012 at 12:14 AM. |
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12-03-2012, 09:38 AM | #14 |
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2. All Apple products can be returned for a full refund within two weeks of the date of purchase. Just bring it back to the Apple store with your receipt. No hassles.
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12-03-2012, 09:51 AM | #15 |
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I have never accidentally turned a page. The mini can distinguish between holding and tapping/swiping. You need a definite tap to register actions near the edges/corners of the tablet.
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