Best eBook Reader for iPhone

mobman16 · 02-21-2016, 11:20 PM

I'm thinking of buying an iPhone for my mother as a 60th birthday present and I wanted to get some ebooks setup for her to read and a decent reader. There seems to be several to choose from but i want to get her the easiest one to use as although she's surprisingly good with that kind of stuff from years working on a computer as a receptionist, she still has limitations and it means less phone calls to me for help if the app is user-friendly and easy to navigate.

Somebody has mentioned Nook to me as an alternative to Apple's own iBooks app, as well as Kindle and Googles. I'm not a reader so have no experience of any of them. I've heard several people swear by the Kindle app so is that the best of the bunch would you say?

Thanks,
Manny

AnemicOak · 02-21-2016, 11:30 PM

Unless you or she are going to get into library management and DRM removal then I'd pick an app hooked to a store (as opposed to something like Marvin). I'd guess she'll probably be okay with any of the biggies such as Kindle, Kobo, Google or B&N, but you might also keep in mind what other platforms they support in case she wants a tablet or dedicated reader sometime in the future (one of the reasons I'd skip iBooks). IMO if a dedicated reader is at all a possibility I'd look at either Kindle or Kobo. Not only do both have iThing and Android apps plus desktop reading software they both make really good dedicated eInk reading devices. Depending on what she likes to read and what country you're in you may find Amazon a fair bit cheaper for a lot of books (or you may not, like I said it depends).

meeera · 02-21-2016, 11:54 PM

What AnemicOak said. Also look into the local library ebook system - it might work with the Overdrive app, or they might have gone with a different setup.

HarryT · 02-22-2016, 04:24 AM

Which country are you in? It's a big help if you fill in the "Location" field in your MR profile so that we can give you country-specific assistance. Different bookstores are better in different parts of the world.

nrubenstein · 02-22-2016, 02:14 PM

The reality is that for most people, the best answer by far is the Kindle app.

mobman16 · 02-23-2016, 05:31 AM

Sorry Harry, your right and I had noticed yesterday but when I tried to update my personal info, my internet crashed and I forgot to go back in after and add it once it came back on. I'm living between India and the UK. I am going back to surprise my auntie on her birthday so I could have done with buying it over in India as it gives me a chance to get it all setup ready. I would have ideally have got one delivered to the UK but I won't have time to get it sorted before her birthday as I arrive early that morning.

I was getting her an iPhone as my cousins have told me that's what she wants and she also only has a rubbish little phone at the moment so that's why I was thinking iPhone over iPad. She goes to see the rest of the family quite often by bus so I thought a phone would be easier for her to lug around too. iPads are hardly big I know, especially the minis so its not just that. I think one of the latest models of iPhone with the slightly larger screen would be OK for her to read as she's not got too bad eyes and then she's got a nice phone too that she can use. If I had the money, I'd get her both but unfortunately it has had to be a toss-up. I can always see how she gets on and maybe get her a Kindle for Christmas.

It sounds from the responses that I'm probably best getting her the Kindle app loaded up and then it will be easy for her to see her collection on a kindle if she ends up getting one of those too. I've watched some tutorials on the kindle and it does look user-friendly.

HarryT · 02-23-2016, 06:08 AM

Your reasoning seems very sound to me. I'm sure she'll enjoy it, and she's very lucky to be getting such a great birthday present!

mobman16 · 02-24-2016, 01:37 PM

It's a shame its taken until the iPhone 6 for Apple to make the screen size decent, that's one of the reasons i've always opted for Android instead. I've found some good deals on new and as-new used iPhones, especially the 5 and 5s models but I just don't think the 4-inch screen is big enough. I'm watching an auction for a 6s so am going to see how that goes.

mobman16 · 02-25-2016, 04:08 AM

I've had an as-new returned iPhone 6s that's in perfect condition come up on the same site so I've took it before it goes. Chuffed to bits, providing its in as mint condition as the pictures show. It's from a seller with good history so I think it will be ok.

JSWolf · 02-25-2016, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nrubenstein

The reality is that for most people, the best answer by far is the Kindle app.

I disagree. On an iPhone, Kindle is awful. The margins are too big for such a small screen. iBooks is awful as well on an iPhone.

If you can remove DRM, the best app is Marvin for DRM free ePub.

mattcurtis · 02-25-2016, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I disagree. On an iPhone, Kindle is awful. The margins are too big for such a small screen. iBooks is awful as well on an iPhone.

If you can remove DRM, the best app is Marvin for DRM free ePub.

I think they mean for your average, slightly less tech-savvy user. Kindle comes with everything you'll need - an existing store, cross-device syncing, and so on. It leaves very little for you to have pre-existing knowledge of, or have to learn about. But I also think both iBooks and Kindle app are of much lower quality than they could be if their companies invested effort into making them better experiences.

JSWolf · 02-25-2016, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattcurtis

I think they mean for your average, slightly less tech-savvy user. Kindle comes with everything you'll need - an existing store, cross-device syncing, and so on. It leaves very little for you to have pre-existing knowledge of, or have to learn about. But I also think both iBooks and Kindle app are of much lower quality than they could be if their companies invested effort into making them better experiences.

If the topic said iPad, I might agree. But it says iPhone and Kindle on an iPhone is awful. Amazon and apple don't get that on an iPhone screen real estate is not to be wasted yet they they do and it's an awful read. Even on an iPhone 6s it's awful.

AnemicOak · 02-25-2016, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I disagree. On an iPhone, Kindle is awful. The margins are too big for such a small screen.

I'm all for them adding more adjustment to the app (I wouldn't mind more line spacing adjustment), but have zero problem reading on it as is. Looks fine to me.

kyteflyer · 02-28-2016, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

I'm all for them adding more adjustment to the app (I wouldn't mind more line spacing adjustment), but have zero problem reading on it as is. Looks fine to me.

Likewise. I think they must have made them slightly bigger at some point. Ditto iBooks which I hate much less than I did in its first few iterations. I looked at iBooks on a 6Plus in the Apple store when that was first released and they have made it sensible in relation to that, but not to the 6. Can't imagine what they are thinking. The margins must be fixed regardless of which device you use so whats good on a PLus is mediocre on the rest.

Kindle though... Thats fine.

Kai Winters · 02-28-2016, 09:09 AM

I've been using a 6+ as my reader, and everything mobile device, for over a year and it is my favorite portable reader.
iBooks is my app of preference and works very well. It does not offer the customization some other apps offer but it is very reliable, orders books automatically by "series"...using metadata?...

I've tried reading on my iPhone 5 but the screen was too small and reading was not enjoyable. I also did not want to carry two devices, my primary reader was a Samsung Galaxy 5 which worked very well, so I got the 6+. It continues to be a robust and reliable device.

02-21-2016, 11:20 PM	#1
mobman16 Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: India Device: Android, looking to buy iPhone for Family member	Best eBook Reader for iPhone I'm thinking of buying an iPhone for my mother as a 60th birthday present and I wanted to get some ebooks setup for her to read and a decent reader. There seems to be several to choose from but i want to get her the easiest one to use as although she's surprisingly good with that kind of stuff from years working on a computer as a receptionist, she still has limitations and it means less phone calls to me for help if the app is user-friendly and easy to navigate. Somebody has mentioned Nook to me as an alternative to Apple's own iBooks app, as well as Kindle and Googles. I'm not a reader so have no experience of any of them. I've heard several people swear by the Kindle app so is that the best of the bunch would you say? Thanks, Manny

02-23-2016, 05:31 AM	#6
mobman16 Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: India Device: Android, looking to buy iPhone for Family member	Best eBook Reader for iPhone Sorry Harry, your right and I had noticed yesterday but when I tried to update my personal info, my internet crashed and I forgot to go back in after and add it once it came back on. I'm living between India and the UK. I am going back to surprise my auntie on her birthday so I could have done with buying it over in India as it gives me a chance to get it all setup ready. I would have ideally have got one delivered to the UK but I won't have time to get it sorted before her birthday as I arrive early that morning. I was getting her an iPhone as my cousins have told me that's what she wants and she also only has a rubbish little phone at the moment so that's why I was thinking iPhone over iPad. She goes to see the rest of the family quite often by bus so I thought a phone would be easier for her to lug around too. iPads are hardly big I know, especially the minis so its not just that. I think one of the latest models of iPhone with the slightly larger screen would be OK for her to read as she's not got too bad eyes and then she's got a nice phone too that she can use. If I had the money, I'd get her both but unfortunately it has had to be a toss-up. I can always see how she gets on and maybe get her a Kindle for Christmas. It sounds from the responses that I'm probably best getting her the Kindle app loaded up and then it will be easy for her to see her collection on a kindle if she ends up getting one of those too. I've watched some tutorials on the kindle and it does look user-friendly.

02-24-2016, 01:37 PM	#8
mobman16 Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: India Device: Android, looking to buy iPhone for Family member	Best eBook Reader for iPhone It's a shame its taken until the iPhone 6 for Apple to make the screen size decent, that's one of the reasons i've always opted for Android instead. I've found some good deals on new and as-new used iPhones, especially the 5 and 5s models but I just don't think the 4-inch screen is big enough. I'm watching an auction for a 6s so am going to see how that goes.

02-25-2016, 04:08 AM	#9
mobman16 Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: India Device: Android, looking to buy iPhone for Family member	Best eBook Reader for iPhone I've had an as-new returned iPhone 6s that's in perfect condition come up on the same site so I've took it before it goes. Chuffed to bits, providing its in as mint condition as the pictures show. It's from a seller with good history so I think it will be ok. Last edited by mobman16; 02-25-2016 at 04:10 AM.

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02-21-2016, 11:30 PM	#2
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	Unless you or she are going to get into library management and DRM removal then I'd pick an app hooked to a store (as opposed to something like Marvin). I'd guess she'll probably be okay with any of the biggies such as Kindle, Kobo, Google or B&N, but you might also keep in mind what other platforms they support in case she wants a tablet or dedicated reader sometime in the future (one of the reasons I'd skip iBooks). IMO if a dedicated reader is at all a possibility I'd look at either Kindle or Kobo. Not only do both have iThing and Android apps plus desktop reading software they both make really good dedicated eInk reading devices. Depending on what she likes to read and what country you're in you may find Amazon a fair bit cheaper for a lot of books (or you may not, like I said it depends).

02-21-2016, 11:54 PM	#3
meeera Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,814 Karma: 68407974 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2, iPadMini4, iPad4, MBP; support other Kobo/Kindles	What AnemicOak said. Also look into the local library ebook system - it might work with the Overdrive app, or they might have gone with a different setup.

02-22-2016, 04:24 AM	#4
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Which country are you in? It's a big help if you fill in the "Location" field in your MR profile so that we can give you country-specific assistance. Different bookstores are better in different parts of the world.

02-22-2016, 02:14 PM	#5
nrubenstein Member Posts: 22 Karma: 22082 Join Date: Sep 2015 Device: iPhone	The reality is that for most people, the best answer by far is the Kindle app.

02-23-2016, 06:08 AM	#7
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Your reasoning seems very sound to me. I'm sure she'll enjoy it, and she's very lucky to be getting such a great birthday present!

02-28-2016, 09:09 AM	#15
Kai Winters Lover of Books Posts: 218 Karma: 1073074 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern NY Device: iPhone 7+	I've been using a 6+ as my reader, and everything mobile device, for over a year and it is my favorite portable reader. iBooks is my app of preference and works very well. It does not offer the customization some other apps offer but it is very reliable, orders books automatically by "series"...using metadata?... I've tried reading on my iPhone 5 but the screen was too small and reading was not enjoyable. I also did not want to carry two devices, my primary reader was a Samsung Galaxy 5 which worked very well, so I got the 6+. It continues to be a robust and reliable device.

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