iBooks 1.2.2 released

[GlennD]

From iLounge:

Apple has released iBooks 1.2.2, the latest version of its e-Reader software for iOS. According to the company’s release notes, version 1.2.2 addresses issues playing video included with enhanced books from the iBookstore, resolves a problem where some books open with a different font than expected, makes iBooks more responsive when navigating books with many items in their table of contents, and other “important stability and performance improvements.” iBooks 1.2.2 requires iOS 3.2 or later and is available now as a free download from the App Store.

I'm curious - I've been using iBooks as my reader after trying Stanza and Bluefire, and I've been quite happy with it. I almost went with Bluefire but I actually like the two page view in landscape mode that iBooks has. If you aren't using iBooks, what was lacking that made you switch to one of the other readers?

[jocampo]

I use iBooks but I don't buy books from Apple. Why? price, DRM, and sometimes I don't find my computer books there, only Amazon or O'Reilly. It is easier and more convenient buy from Amazon directly, at least for me.

Now, the interface is really nice but there are a couple of things that need improvements, like be able to customize margins, night reading mode and additional fonts. iBooks interface is very visual appealing, which is not bad, but the core and functionality can be better; a good example, Stanza.

The two page view is also not so good for me. I don't know if there is someway to disable it, but for computer books is bad. It makes the line shorter so lines of code are more difficult to read. For novels or pure text books is a nice feature though.

[kjk]

I prefer Stanza on my iPhone, and iBooks on my iPad.

[aagstn]

I like the 2 page landscape view and use iBooks, but I also don't buy from them since the DRM can't currently be removed.

[DixieGal]

I prefer the way books look in Bluefire, but use iBooks for epubs because it lets me use a left-handed tap to turn pages.

I have been using it since updating yesterday, and it is working well. After the previous update, iBooks was closing on me and/or not starting up at all. It seems to be back to the original dependability now.

[Dylrob]

I've also stuck with iBooks simply for the two column layout. Though I haven't bought a single book from Apple, and unless they ditch the DRM I never will.

[rfog]

I think an ebook app for iPad that do not support two column mode (at least in landscape) is not worth it cost (even if it is free)... The only generic one I've found is i2reader, that is not updated and has another problems, like not supporting all epub formatting...

I think if someone will do a true and real working app that will have options similar to i2reader but with the formatting of iBooks will get a lot of sales...

I use iBooks but like a few already posted I never buy books from Apple. I usually get my books from Sony or Amazon, then strip the DRM and convert if necessary.

So far iBooks has the best combination of features for my tastes, though it is rather lacking, which doesn't say much for the others. I like the two-column landscape and good dictionary support. Bluefire renders text better but lacks good dictionary support and two-column landscape. None of the reader apps has enough options as far as formatting. I would gladly pay $10 for a great reader app if it combined the best features of all the apps currently available plus a few dozen fonts.

[1611mac]

Originally Posted by GlennD

From iLounge:
-snip-
If you aren't using iBooks, what was lacking that made you switch to one of the other readers?

Lack of being able to access and move it's notes and highlights.

Most of my reading is for education. I make copious notes and highlights. The only app that I have found that allows these notes to be moved from my iMac to my iPad and back again is the Kindle app. From iTunes/Kindle app pane you can copy the iPad mbp file (notes) to the desktop. With iBooks there is no access to the notes (unless I have missed something)

note: the mbp file must have been created on the iPad to be compatible on both.

[kjk]

Originally Posted by 1611mac

With iBooks there is no access to the notes (unless I have missed something)

note: the mbp file must have been created on the iPad to be compatible on both.

1611mac, you can export notes from iBooks-it just isn't too clear:
1) go to the TOC icon in the book
2) select "Bookmarks" This is actually not just bookmarks, but bookmarks, notes, and highlights.
3) that little email icon in the upper right corner will let you email your notes, or print them out.
4) sadly, highlights won't be sent.

[benham]

I use Kindle, for Amazon's books because Sony can't come to an agreement with Apple. I like iFlow a lot and use it for Sony Reader books I want on the iTouch. I started out looking for a reader with a scrolling feature because I really liked that on my PDA reader. I never thought iBook was that special.

[1611mac]

Originally Posted by kjk

1611mac, you can export notes from iBooks-it just isn't too clear:
1) go to the TOC icon in the book
2) select "Bookmarks" This is actually not just bookmarks, but bookmarks, notes, and highlights.
3) that little email icon in the upper right corner will let you email your notes, or print them out.
4) sadly, highlights won't be sent.

But seeing that there is no iBooks app for the desktop.... I can't even read on my desktop let alone import (or sync) the notes into it..

Thinking about it.. I guess that would be the #1 reason I don't use iBooks. I like to read on the desktop too!

But thanks for the interest and kind tip, I do appreciate all people who respond.

[Musashi]

I use iBooks because I like the offline dictionary. The amazon app have a good dictionary too, but it don't have a way to customize fonts on iPad. T_T