When i heard that a version of the Kindle e-book reader was available for iPhone. I rejoiced. I love books. I love audiobooks. I love e-books.
However, I hate reading books on the iPhone. After testing Kindle for iPhone, I’m still not convinced.
I tested Kindle for iPhone using two books: The Age of Engage (to review for this website) and the Holy Bible (a free download). Both books are excellent in their printed form. On Kindle for iPhone, however, both were lacking.
I prefer reading the hard copy of The Age of Engage. I prefer reading the hard copy of The Age of Engage. When it comes to reading the Bible, I like using the iPhone for short readings, but prefer the YouVersion iPhone Holy Bible. It allows you to change translations and other settings on the fly and includes a more robust, specific tool for searching.
Although I use my iPhone daily to read rss feeds from my favorite blogs and websites, the device doesn’t work well for reading long form text for long durations the same way the Kindle reading device does. Too often, using Kindle for iPhone, the entire screen becomes a sea of text, with poorly placed page breaks.
I’m also concerned about running down my iPhone battery using Kindle for iPhone. Reading for long stretches challenges my iPhone’s ability to last throughout the day with a reasonable charge.
Since I enjoy reading short form test, such as rss feeds, on my iPhone, I’d love to test periodicals in Amazon’s reader. Sadly, Kindle for iPhone doesn’t support periodicals the same way the Kindle reader does.
If you’re an avid reader trying to determine whether to purchase the Kindle device or use Kindle for iPhone, the answer is easy: Use both. Or, use neither.
Use Both
Kindle for iPhone isn’t a substitute for owning a Kindle reader. Nevertheless, its a good suppliment to one. Books that you purchase for your Kindle can be simultaneously downloaded to your iPhone. Many Kindle owners will enjoy this added benefit. At a $359 price tag, the cost of a Kindle reader is less than the upcoming tablet device expected from Apple in Q3 of 2009 will cost. Based on Apple’s history, the Kindle will also provide better battery life than Apple’s upcoming netbook/tablet device.
Use Neither
Apple is expected to introduce some kind of netbook/tablet device later this year. While it’s likely to come at a higher price with less battery life than a Kindle, it’s a safe bet that the device will be better looking and more useful than the Kindle. The new Kindle isn’t much of an improvement over the original version.
If the idea of owning this device excites you, put your $359 in the bank and use it as a down payment on Apple’s newest innovation which is expected to cost twice as much as a Kindle.
About Troy Janisch