Kindle for Iphone 1.1 released

[Nate the great]

I just received word that Amazon released an updated Kindle app for the Iphone. There were no reported bug fixes (I'm not sure there were any bugs to fix), but they did add new features.

NEW Features:
· Read in portrait or landscape mode
· Pinch to zoom images in books
· Select alternate background and text colors to improve
reading comfort in low light conditions.
· Tap on either side of the screen or flick to turn pages

The bug I reported to Amazon is still there: the pages are not anchored as they should be or as they are in every other iPod reading application I have tried. Moving a finger across the screen (not a "flick") moves the page left or right which can not be disabled. This action makes the application useless to me.

[Gideon]

Big improvement, moved me to go ahead and get ipod touch for my girlfriend so she can share in my collection.

[Daithi]

The current monthly cost of an iPhone is just too high for me. I'm hearing rumors of lower cost plans, and I'd like a reader I can carry in my pocket, so hopefully in the future...

[pking36330]

Originally Posted by Daithi

The current monthly cost of an iPhone is just too high for me. I'm hearing rumors of lower cost plans, and I'd like a reader I can carry in my pocket, so hopefully in the future...

You are aware that the Amazon app runs on the iPod Touch as well as the iPhone, right? No service plan with an iPod Touch.

[Daithi]

Originally Posted by pking36330

You are aware that the Amazon app runs on the iPod Touch as well as the iPhone, right? No service plan with an iPod Touch.

Yes, I know. I thought about getting a iPod Touch, but right now my current phone plays all my music, and I guess I just don't want to carry around two devices.

[Donnageddon]

These are great improvements. I have been reading a lot more lately on my iPod Touch, and really did miss the "tap to turn" page feature found on other applications.

[Over]

A little bit off topic:

I was very tempted to get an iPod Touch and Stanza on it, but for the price and the fact that you need wireless just put me off.

Didn't Amazon buy Stanza? Could this 1.1 be an integration of Stanza features? Or why should Amazon want two separate apps?

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by pking36330

You are aware that the Amazon app runs on the iPod Touch as well as the iPhone, right? No service plan with an iPod Touch.

True, but you still need wifi to get books and it's not nearly as available as EDGE/3G, at least where I live.

Originally Posted by Daithi

The current monthly cost of an iPhone is just too high for me. I'm hearing rumors of lower cost plans, and I'd like a reader I can carry in my pocket, so hopefully in the future...

Hmm, never really had this problem. I got the older iPhone (EDGE only) and iPhone plan for that is $20/mo (unlimited internet, 200 text messages). Since I already had a qualifying AT&T Family Talk and I actually had a similar media plan for my old phone, I just had to pay the same monthly plan as I did before I got an iPhone. That's one of the reasons I didn't switch to 3G even if I was qualified for the $200 refund if I swap my iPhone for a 3G version. The 3G would have cost me $360 more in two years because of the add'l monthly service fees. That's still $160 after refund.

[Penforhire]

Stanza works well on my iPhone but sometimes, my fault, I get a brightness change instead of page swipe.

[elmoglick]

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

True, but you still need wifi to get books and it's not nearly as available as EDGE/3G, at least where I live.

You might want to check out Sprint's new MiFi device, that goes on sale on June 1. It's a tiny credit-card size device with an EVDO Rev.A radio that creates a portable Wifi hotspot that can be shared with up to 5 devices simultaneously.

I'm snagging one at 8:01 am on June 1 to use with my iPod Touch.

El

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by elmoglick

You might want to check out Sprint's new MiFi device, that goes on sale on June 1. It's a tiny credit-card size device with an EVDO Rev.A radio that creates a portable Wifi hotspot that can be shared with up to 5 devices simultaneously.

I'm snagging one at 8:01 am on June 1 to use with my iPod Touch.

El

Uh, I think one of the reasons people opt for the iPod Touch instead of the iPhone is the monthly service fee (or lack thereof). If you're already paying a cellphone bill and an internet bill (Cable/DSL/FiOS), paying an extra $60/month for 5GB isn't really sounding like a good idea.

[weatherman]

Originally Posted by akira28

Moving a finger across the screen (not a "flick") moves the page left or right which can not be disabled. This action makes the application useless to me.

Have you considered, perhaps, not doing that? It might solve the problem.

The improvements on the application are nice. They are no where near the level of sophistication that you get with other ereader apps on the iPhone, like ereader pro, though. ereader pro allows full custom setttings for background color, text color, font and font size.. and it has autoscroll. I wish that Amazon had done more with this revision, but at least they've done the bare minimum for me to actually use it. I still find the font hard to read but at least I can get white text on black background, which makes for much easier reading especially at night.

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by elmoglick

You might want to check out Sprint's new MiFi device, that goes on sale on June 1. It's a tiny credit-card size device with an EVDO Rev.A radio that creates a portable Wifi hotspot that can be shared with up to 5 devices simultaneously.

I'm snagging one at 8:01 am on June 1 to use with my iPod Touch.

El

<hijack>

I saw that in an inflight magazine (www.novatelwireless.com). Please post how it works for you.

My main concern is battery life for the MiFi. I use a broadband wireless card with an unlimited plan for my laptop and can share the signal with a bit of hoop jumping. It is powered by the laptop, so I'm not sure if the MiFi is worth it for me but it sure sounds cool.

</hijack>

[BuddyBoy]

Originally Posted by weatherman

Have you considered, perhaps, not doing that? It might solve the problem.

Some folks use finger following to read, where they move their finger under each line. I don't, but can appreciate how it makes the Kindle app less than stellar for them.

For me, I'm glad they've added tap to switch pages. I prefer my Sony Reader, but the Kindle app is great for reading in a pinch when I don't have my reader with me.