Is the iPhone too small for reading ebooks - Page 2

vonCZ · 12-23-2010, 03:32 AM

ditto: I often read on my iPod Touch 4G and don't really notice the smaller page size while reading. My other eReader is an iPad. A possible advantage of the iPod Touch (or iPhone): it seems easier to read in bright light compared to the iPad. Mind, I haven't done a side-by-side comparision, but this seems to be the case.

Micah · 12-23-2010, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toddos

I read pretty much exclusively on my iPhone 3GS these days, despite having a Sony PRS-300 and an Android tablet. I have two suggestions for reading comfort:

Use a reader with a "night" mode, or one that will allow you to change the color scheme to white-on-black. For this I most prefer Stanza with its huge amount of user customization, but others like Bluefire are acceptable. Kindle's grey-on-black mode doesn't provide enough contrast for me to read comfortably, and iBooks outright fails without any night mode at all. Apple seems to think using the "invert colors" accessibility option is sufficient, which is completely wrong.
Books with excessive margins need to be edited. The iPhone's screen is small enough that you can read comfortably with text going edge-to-edge. Unfortunately a lot of book editors seem to think that 1em left and right margins are a good idea, which on an iPhone wastes a ton of space and gives you maybe 3-4 words per line max (depending on font size). If you're reading DRMed books, you'll either need to get proficient at liberating them so you can remove excessive margins or you'll just have to deal with ebook editors who don't "get it".

Stanza is by far my preferred ebook reader, but BlueFire is coming up strong as a close second. Once they add in generic OPDS support and a lot more formatting options (must have more fonts!), BF could beat Stanza for my preferred ebook reader.

I'm going to make it so that you can add any .otf font you want to Bluefire Reader, just like you can add an epub. - e.g. iTunes file sharing, email it, dropbox it, etc. That is going to be an awesome feature.

jharker · 12-23-2010, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timoleon

One nice thing about the iPhone: I've got both Stanza and Dropbox on it, so I can access my complete library from anywhere, anytime. The reading experience isn't all that bad, either!

One new feature: with iOS 4.2 and the latest version of iBooks, iBooks now appears in the "Open in..." dialog.

So you can email a book to yourself, or get it from Dropbox, and open it in iBooks as well as Stanza.

Yay!

ebusinesstutor · 12-23-2010, 03:45 PM

I read exclusively on my iPhone.

I was thinking of getting an e-ink reader, but when I put my iPhone with an ebook open side by side, I didn't think the difference in screen size was enough to warrant buying and carrying a second device.

I love that my iPhone is always with me and I don't have to carry a second device.

Also, many ebook readers try to "lock" you into buying from their store and you have to go through some complex things to try to get ebooks from other sources converted to their format.

With the iPhone, I can have apps from all the major sellers. So if a book is only available on the Amazon Kindle, I can just read it using the Kindle app. Same with other ebook sellers. The iPhone/iPad market is big enough that they all make their ebooks available to them.

Stanza is my favorite e-reading app - it lets me control the screen brightness or switch to a night mode with a back background and light text so I can read without bothering my wife.

An iPad may be nice as well, but too heavy to hold in bed with one had reading.

For me, the iPhone is the ideal ebook reader.

mjhudston · 12-23-2010, 03:50 PM

having used an iphone3g for reading, it was ok. but then I've since used a Sony Reader and an iPad. so I won't go back to the iPhone even though I have an iPhone 4 now. I guess it's what your used too. if your eyes are good enough, you might find it comfortable, see if a friend has got one, you could look at and see if reading for any length oftimw will be ok.

emellaich · 12-23-2010, 08:41 PM

One other thought -- the answer may depend on your age. Like, HarryT I have read ebooks for many years, including time spent using pda's with much smaller screens.

It may be because I have better choices now, but I really don't think my eyes could handle a pda anymore. If you are 20-something then you may not have problems with an iPhone. If you are 80-something it may be a problem.

Of course, the real problem is not really age-related. Its eyesight related as others have mentioned.

benham · 12-26-2010, 12:59 PM

I have an iTouch 4G on order. It should be here in a couple days. It isn't mainly for reading but I figure it will be a lot like my PDA. I bought the MegaReader App for it and was wondering what others are using.

Jowi · 12-26-2010, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkay5

I think it totally depends on the person. I have an iPod Touch that I use as my only ereader. I use the night mode and turn the brightness down on it and it doesn't bother my eyes at all. But it's different for other people. I have read probably 50 books on it since I bought it in March. I love that I have it EVERYWHERE I go. It fits in my pocket and no matter where I am at I can read it if I have unexpected reading time. I can get all different kinds of reading apps for it and even read library ebooks on it. As soon as the iPhone comes to my area, I will replace my iPod Touch with the iPhone.

Did you upgrade to the iPod Touch 4th gen? It's SO much better than the 3 for reading!

I just upgraded about a month or so ago and when I tried to read on my daughter's 3rd gen one night when my battery was dead it was really noticeable that it was not MY iPod! The text is so crisp and clear on the 4g that it just makes reading even more enjoyable.

To the OP, I sold my Kindle when I got my iPod Touch (3g) last Christmas, because I found that I always wanted to read on my iPod, not my Kindle. Main reason is I read mostly in bed at night and I LOVE the night mode for reading (black background) and it's far less distracting for my husband not having to have a book light on.

injapan · 12-27-2010, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkay5

I think it totally depends on the person. I have an iPod Touch that I use as my only ereader. I use the night mode and turn the brightness down on it and it doesn't bother my eyes at all. But it's different for other people. I have read probably 50 books on it since I bought it in March. I love that I have it EVERYWHERE I go. It fits in my pocket and no matter where I am at I can read it if I have unexpected reading time. I can get all different kinds of reading apps for it and even read library ebooks on it. As soon as the iPhone comes to my area, I will replace my iPod Touch with the iPhone.

Thanks, but I have read that the iPod touch's battery is only a few hours?
How do you find it?

benham · 12-27-2010, 10:21 AM

According to my daughter, who has a 4g, if you ware watching movies or videos they ware good for about 4 hrs. She hasn't done much reading with it yet.

Maggie Leung · 12-27-2010, 10:39 AM

These are Apple's specs for the Touch 4:
http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/specs.html

Your mileage might vary.

I use my Touch 4 for only books and music. I've read whole books on it without worrying about the battery. It typically takes me two to four hours to read a book, depending on content. I charge daily, though I could charge every other day.

kkay5 · 12-27-2010, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jowi

Did you upgrade to the iPod Touch 4th gen? It's SO much better than the 3 for reading!

I just upgraded about a month or so ago and when I tried to read on my daughter's 3rd gen one night when my battery was dead it was really noticeable that it was not MY iPod! The text is so crisp and clear on the 4g that it just makes reading even more enjoyable.

To the OP, I sold my Kindle when I got my iPod Touch (3g) last Christmas, because I found that I always wanted to read on my iPod, not my Kindle. Main reason is I read mostly in bed at night and I LOVE the night mode for reading (black background) and it's far less distracting for my husband not having to have a book light on.

I did upgrade to the iPod Touch 4th gen and I love it!

kkay5 · 12-27-2010, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by injapan

Thanks, but I have read that the iPod touch's battery is only a few hours?
How do you find it?

I do wish the battery lasted longer. I can go anywhere from 2 to 4 hours depending on what I use it for. If I am just reading it's closer to 4 hours, if I am using the wifi it's closer to 2 hours. I did find an attachable battery for the iPhone and iPod that's only $30 and I am going to be getting that VERY soon!

injapan · 12-27-2010, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jowi

Did you upgrade to the iPod Touch 4th gen? It's SO much better than the 3 for reading!

I just upgraded about a month or so ago and when I tried to read on my daughter's 3rd gen one night when my battery was dead it was really noticeable that it was not MY iPod! The text is so crisp and clear on the 4g that it just makes reading even more enjoyable.

That was what I was just about to ask. Thanks for that. I am leaning towards getting an iPod touch 4!

ebusinesstutor · 12-27-2010, 11:15 PM

I am 51 and wear glasses and I find the screen on the iPhone 3G is fine for me.

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12-23-2010, 03:32 AM	#16
vonCZ Connoisseur Posts: 53 Karma: 286 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Rakovnik, Czech Device: iPad, iPhone 4	ditto: I often read on my iPod Touch 4G and don't really notice the smaller page size while reading. My other eReader is an iPad. A possible advantage of the iPod Touch (or iPhone): it seems easier to read in bright light compared to the iPad. Mind, I haven't done a side-by-side comparision, but this seems to be the case.

12-23-2010, 03:45 PM	#19
ebusinesstutor Star Gawker Posts: 526 Karma: 6944314 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Spruce Grove, AB Canada Device: Kindle Paperwhite	I read exclusively on my iPhone. I was thinking of getting an e-ink reader, but when I put my iPhone with an ebook open side by side, I didn't think the difference in screen size was enough to warrant buying and carrying a second device. I love that my iPhone is always with me and I don't have to carry a second device. Also, many ebook readers try to "lock" you into buying from their store and you have to go through some complex things to try to get ebooks from other sources converted to their format. With the iPhone, I can have apps from all the major sellers. So if a book is only available on the Amazon Kindle, I can just read it using the Kindle app. Same with other ebook sellers. The iPhone/iPad market is big enough that they all make their ebooks available to them. Stanza is my favorite e-reading app - it lets me control the screen brightness or switch to a night mode with a back background and light text so I can read without bothering my wife. An iPad may be nice as well, but too heavy to hold in bed with one had reading. For me, the iPhone is the ideal ebook reader.

12-23-2010, 03:50 PM	#20
mjhudston All round good egg Posts: 229 Karma: 1005039 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: Apple Ipad 3rd Generation	having used an iphone3g for reading, it was ok. but then I've since used a Sony Reader and an iPad. so I won't go back to the iPhone even though I have an iPhone 4 now. I guess it's what your used too. if your eyes are good enough, you might find it comfortable, see if a friend has got one, you could look at and see if reading for any length oftimw will be ok.

12-23-2010, 08:41 PM	#21
emellaich Wizard Posts: 1,101 Karma: 4388403 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: Palm>Ebookman>IPaq>Axim>Cybook>Kndl2>IPAD>Kndl3SO>Voyager>Oasis	One other thought -- the answer may depend on your age. Like, HarryT I have read ebooks for many years, including time spent using pda's with much smaller screens. It may be because I have better choices now, but I really don't think my eyes could handle a pda anymore. If you are 20-something then you may not have problems with an iPhone. If you are 80-something it may be a problem. Of course, the real problem is not really age-related. Its eyesight related as others have mentioned.

12-26-2010, 12:59 PM	#22
benham Guru Posts: 882 Karma: 5565888 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Townsend, WI Device: Palm TX, PRS-505 (BLUE)	I have an iTouch 4G on order. It should be here in a couple days. It isn't mainly for reading but I figure it will be a lot like my PDA. I bought the MegaReader App for it and was wondering what others are using.

12-27-2010, 10:21 AM	#25
benham Guru Posts: 882 Karma: 5565888 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Townsend, WI Device: Palm TX, PRS-505 (BLUE)	According to my daughter, who has a 4g, if you ware watching movies or videos they ware good for about 4 hrs. She hasn't done much reading with it yet.

12-27-2010, 10:39 AM	#26
Maggie Leung Wizard Posts: 1,449 Karma: 58383 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: Kindle, iPad	These are Apple's specs for the Touch 4: http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/specs.html Your mileage might vary. I use my Touch 4 for only books and music. I've read whole books on it without worrying about the battery. It typically takes me two to four hours to read a book, depending on content. I charge daily, though I could charge every other day.

12-27-2010, 11:15 PM	#30
ebusinesstutor Star Gawker Posts: 526 Karma: 6944314 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Spruce Grove, AB Canada Device: Kindle Paperwhite	I am 51 and wear glasses and I find the screen on the iPhone 3G is fine for me.