The Apple iPhone as an e-book reader? - Page 2

HarryT · 10-21-2007, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mores

unless you want to point to the fact that the "standard-apps" like mobipocket, ms reader and eReader are not (yet?) available for the iPhone, and you're only able to read non-DRM books.

Yes, that was exactly the point I was making. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that the iPhone can only read PDF documents? It strikes me that for this type of use, the open architecture of a Palm or Pocket PC device is far better suited to the task than the "closed" iPhone. I know that the iPhone is very good at what it does do, but you're rather "out of luck" if you want to do something different.

edsohsmith · 10-21-2007, 03:01 PM

As I listed in my post above, the iphone book app can also be used to read text, or html formatted ebooks.

CloudGaze · 10-21-2007, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that the iPhone can only read PDF documents?

It supports HTML and text files with this application (in addition to Safari):
http://code.google.com/p/iphoneebooks/

Cheers,

HarryT · 10-22-2007, 07:24 AM

Can that application be installed "legitimately" on the iPhone - ie with Apple's blessing? I was under the impression that if you installed 3rd party apps onto the iPhone you risked Apple doing unpleasant things to it when they did a software update?

I just rather object to devices where the manufacturer tries to do everything in their power to "lock it down". That's why I prefer the "open" systems like Palms and PPCs.

CloudGaze · 10-22-2007, 10:15 PM

Nope. However, the device can be restored to its original/before jailbreaking state with ease and without Apple knowing if you installed 3rd party application on it or not.

With the recent SDK announcement, I think Apple is giving in to the market pressure and won't bug 3rd party developers as much. Smart move in light of the expected competitive pressure from the new open source Nokia devices.

JSWolf · 10-22-2007, 11:21 PM

But if the iPhone is dead in the water and you cannot restore it, then you cannot send it in for warranty repair.

mores · 10-29-2007, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Yes, that was exactly the point I was making. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that the iPhone can only read PDF documents? It strikes me that for this type of use, the open architecture of a Palm or Pocket PC device is far better suited to the task than the "closed" iPhone. I know that the iPhone is very good at what it does do, but you're rather "out of luck" if you want to do something different.

that is my biggest gripe with the iPhone, but since the SDK will be out soon, i expect there to be a whole lot of apps for the iPhone in no time.

and maybe then mobipocket will realize that the apple platform (iPhone as well as the "full" osX) is to be taken seriously and will work on a mac version of their desktop reader and organizer.

oh, PDF files do not require that book.app program, you can read them natively on the iPhone. at least that's what steve jobs mentioned when he initially presented the iPhone to the world.

HarryT · 10-29-2007, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mores

oh, PDF files do not require that book.app program, you can read them natively on the iPhone. at least that's what steve jobs mentioned when he initially presented the iPhone to the world.

I may be mistaken, but I believe that the iPhone can only read PDFs "online", rather than locally stored files.

DaleDe · 10-29-2007, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I may be mistaken, but I believe that the iPhone can only read PDFs "online", rather than locally stored files.

It can read them offline but the trick it to get them installed on the unit in the first place. Some folks are emailing them as attachments to their phone so that they can read them offline. There are now some hacks available to get them transferred over since the iPod touch couldn't use the email trick.

Dale

HarryT · 10-29-2007, 12:41 PM

Thanks Dale. It seems almost as though Apple are actively trying to prevent you from using an iPhone for this kind of thing. I think I'll stick with my Windows Mobile Smartphone for the foreseeable future!

yvanleterrible · 10-29-2007, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Thanks Dale. It seems almost as though Apple are actively trying to prevent you from using an iPhone for this kind of thing. I think I'll stick with my Windows Mobile Smartphone for the foreseeable future!

Agreed. They have visibly refrained from every possibility to install text on any device, with the exception of Apple Notes' crippled iteration. Your phone looks a pretty good device!

andym · 10-29-2007, 01:23 PM

At the moment it's got to be a great big 'maybe'. All the basics are there - a pdf reader, Safari and access to the webkit rendering engine, as well as the pdfs in iTunes. The final piece of the jigsaw - an easy way to get documents on to the machine other than by downloading online or emailing to yourself or hacking the machine - doesn't seem to be there yet (because of security issues?). I'm sure the elements will come together but wouldn't bet any money on when.

NDPTAL85 · 07-24-2008, 10:54 AM

Just wanted to update this thread with the information that with the iPhone 2.0 Software update, free to all rev 1 iPhone users and comes standard on the iPhone 3G (its a $20 upgrade for previous iPod Touch owners) that eBooks are now available for the iPhone from the iTunes App Store. Both individual eBooks and eReader.com's eReader App which gives you access to your bookshelves on either eReader.com or FictionWise.com. I'm reading Truman Capote's In Cold Blood on the iPhone and its great. You can change the font (3 choices) and the font size and read in landscape mode or portrait mode if you want. The iPhone/iPod Touch makes a great eBook reader device.

Those last two sentences I cut and pasted from another post I made on this forum, I just didn't see the need to try to say them in a different way.

redbaron101 · 07-25-2008, 09:57 AM

just another update, for jailbroken iphones, you can transfer files directly to the phone via ssh/scp, but you do need a jailbroken iphone. Nowadays there are quite a few native ebook readers available for the iphone, inlcuding a hack to allow safari to view them as well. I think my main annoyance on the iphone is the mount of scrolling neccessary for large A4 pdfs. Otherwise reading text only books are rather pleasant, especially as you can listen to music on the iphone whilst reading. Having said that Im still looking for a larger dedicated ebook device for home use, hanlin v3 still a strong contender...

Detour · 07-27-2008, 10:02 AM

I love my iPhone but it just doesn't work for me as a primary e-book reader because it's not comfortable for long reads, and the battery doesn't last long enough anyway - the new iPhone 3G battery dies faster than the old one. It's been my experience that short short stories and comics are great on the iPhone, but for longer reads I much prefer the Sony Reader.

View Poll Results: Will Apple's iPhone be your next e-book reader?
Yes	11	14.29%
No	56	72.73%
Maybe	10	12.99%
Voters: 77. You may not vote on this poll

10-29-2007, 01:23 PM	#27
andym Groupie Posts: 189 Karma: 793 Join Date: Oct 2006	At the moment it's got to be a great big 'maybe'. All the basics are there - a pdf reader, Safari and access to the webkit rendering engine, as well as the pdfs in iTunes. The final piece of the jigsaw - an easy way to get documents on to the machine other than by downloading online or emailing to yourself or hacking the machine - doesn't seem to be there yet (because of security issues?). I'm sure the elements will come together but wouldn't bet any money on when. Last edited by andym; 10-29-2007 at 01:26 PM.

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CloudGaze Antagonist Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2007 Device: Ipod Touch & MotoQ	Nope. However, the device can be restored to its original/before jailbreaking state with ease and without Apple knowing if you installed 3rd party application on it or not. With the recent SDK announcement, I think Apple is giving in to the market pressure and won't bug 3rd party developers as much. Smart move in light of the expected competitive pressure from the new open source Nokia devices.

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HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Thanks Dale. It seems almost as though Apple are actively trying to prevent you from using an iPhone for this kind of thing. I think I'll stick with my Windows Mobile Smartphone for the foreseeable future!

07-24-2008, 10:54 AM	#28
NDPTAL85 Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2008 Device: Apple iPhone Rev1	Just wanted to update this thread with the information that with the iPhone 2.0 Software update, free to all rev 1 iPhone users and comes standard on the iPhone 3G (its a $20 upgrade for previous iPod Touch owners) that eBooks are now available for the iPhone from the iTunes App Store. Both individual eBooks and eReader.com's eReader App which gives you access to your bookshelves on either eReader.com or FictionWise.com. I'm reading Truman Capote's In Cold Blood on the iPhone and its great. You can change the font (3 choices) and the font size and read in landscape mode or portrait mode if you want. The iPhone/iPod Touch makes a great eBook reader device. Those last two sentences I cut and pasted from another post I made on this forum, I just didn't see the need to try to say them in a different way.

07-25-2008, 09:57 AM	#29
redbaron101 Zealot Posts: 121 Karma: 24 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: uk Device: palm t3, iphone, bebook (hanlin v3 clone)	just another update, for jailbroken iphones, you can transfer files directly to the phone via ssh/scp, but you do need a jailbroken iphone. Nowadays there are quite a few native ebook readers available for the iphone, inlcuding a hack to allow safari to view them as well. I think my main annoyance on the iphone is the mount of scrolling neccessary for large A4 pdfs. Otherwise reading text only books are rather pleasant, especially as you can listen to music on the iphone whilst reading. Having said that Im still looking for a larger dedicated ebook device for home use, hanlin v3 still a strong contender...

07-27-2008, 10:02 AM	#30
Detour Lurker Posts: 20 Karma: 91 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ankh Morpork Device: Sony Reader PRS 500/505 (blue) / iPhone / Kindle (gave away)	I love my iPhone but it just doesn't work for me as a primary e-book reader because it's not comfortable for long reads, and the battery doesn't last long enough anyway - the new iPhone 3G battery dies faster than the old one. It's been my experience that short short stories and comics are great on the iPhone, but for longer reads I much prefer the Sony Reader.

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