Downside to iBook App

If you've read my blog in the past, you know I'm a big fan of the iPad and the Kindle App.

Occasionally, I will read a book on Apple's iBooks App. Recently, I downloaded a copy of Hugh Ambrose's "The Pacific" on this App and have been enjoying it on these cold winter days.

But the iBooks App has a flaw, especially if you are an owner of an Android phone (your probably know where I'm going with this).

Unlike the Amazon Kindle App, which seamlessly updates your current reading material from device to device, regardless of platform. So since Android Marketplace will never have the iBook App, there's no shot to read my iBooks content on my Samsung Fascinate.

Another gap for Apple: while the Mac App store has a Kindle App available, there's no such App available for iBooks so I can read my books on my laptop.  This may be a temporary problem. Apple has made Mac App versions available for it's other popular software, including Facetime.  

The platform compatibility gap for iBooks is one more reason why I'll stick with the Kindle App moving forward.

Reading more

Six months into life with iPad, I can honestly say that I am reading more....and it's not just because of that device.

While iPad certainly has influenced my reading via electronic device over the past six months, I give more credit to Amazon that I do to Apple for that change.

According to a new survey published in the WSJ tonight, a pretty significant chunk of the population is reading more.

I would have to say I definitely can identify with the folks identified in this trend. I blame the Amazon Kindle App.

The Kindle app's WhisperSync technology is terrific when you have the Kindle application loaded on multiple devices.

I have the app loaded on my MacBook Pro, my iPad, and on by Droid Eris smart phone.

The app's ability to instantly update each device so you can pick right up where you left off makes it incredibly convenient to "read on the run."  I'll find myself catching a few pages of the selected book I'm reading on my cell phone while waiting in line for lunch or if I find a rare spare moment in my day.  And if I'm sitting at home on my MacBook Pro, I just open the device and I find myself right where I left off.

Cool and convenient.

iPad is fun to read on but the ability of the Kindle app to span across all my devices is an even more powerful reason why I read more these days.

I'm Not an iPad Technophile: Kindle Made Certain of That

I read with interest some comments in this New York Times story today. Specifically, the following quote drew my attention.

"The people who have already ordered an iPad or will show up at the Apple store on Saturday “are technophiles — the phrase ‘leading-edge technology’ sends goosebumps all over their skin,” said Eitan Muller, a professor of high-tech marketing at New York University’s Stern School of Business.

I take issue with Eitan Muller's comment because I am not a "technophile."

To be honest, I'm not typically an early adopter of much.  If anything, I am a skeptic and play it conservatively until I'm certain that a product or service has the "standing power" I desire.  I spend my money wisely and prefer quality in the product and the experience.  I'm not interested in being a guinea pig on new products--most of the time.

But the iPad is different.  From the day I learned how to download apps on my iPod Touch, I've always thought a larger version of that platform would be ideal. And now, Apple is delivering.

The kicker for me was the Kindle App for the iPod touch. I remember shopping on Amazon for a Kindle.  The price was about $300 dollars and the Kindle looked clunky and "experimental". I wasn't looking to be an "early adopter".  THEN, I found the iPod Touch app for Kindle for FREE. That was an easy decision. Save the money, download the free app, and test the experience. (A pretty conservative approach).

After downloading two or three books, I was hooked on the Kindle App. As a matter of fact, that app solidified my desire for a larger version of the Touch as an alternative reader platform.  I believe, unwittingly, that Amazon, through the Kindle App, helped convince me to not buy the actual Kindle, and instead desire what I am supposed to receive via UPS on Saturday.

I'm pumped by the WSJ story today (and this updated blog post confirming Kindle is in the app store-thanks to @KindleEmily on Twitter), referring to the fact that Amazon is making an iPad Kindle app to sell me books. Sure, I'll try the Apple iBook app, but I think Steve Jobs knows that people like me will probably use the Kindle app when it is available.

Until then, I hope Steve and the gang will let me use my iPod Touch Kindle app on my iPad. We'll see.

Meanwhile, the speculation that "technophiles" are the majority of the early iPad adopters, I believe, is dead wrong.  Amazon made sure of that.

My Christmas Wish: An Apple Tablet in 2010

If I can have only one thing for Christmas, it would be confirmation that Apple IS going to unveil a tablet device in 2010.  Today, Reuters published an online story further fueling the rumors. 

I'm hooked on my iPod touch. I love the apps and the ease of use. I find my iPod Touch so useful that I find myself opening my laptop only when I'm in "content creation" mode. The Touch allows me to access my content and share in a WiFi environment. Since I typically use it at home, that's no big deal.

The only drawback to the Touch is it's small size. A larger screen (maybe a bit bigger than the Amazon Kindle), would be ideal, especially of the iPod apps transfer right over to the new device.

A friend of mine shared a YouTube video that shows how a tablet could change how we read and collect information. It's pretty cool. Take a look.