Kindle 2 iPhone App – Can it Replace the Real Thing?
Amazon recently announced the availability of the new Kindle 2 App for the ubiquitous iPhone. As an iPhone owner and someone who’s been coveting the Kindle 2: Amazon’s New Wireless Reading Device (Latest Generation) since its release, I hustled over to the iTunes app store to download the free application.
I’ve had Stanza on my iPhone for a few months and have been slowly working my way through my free download of Emma. The truth is, I don’t have a lot of time these days to cuddle up with fiction, so I’ve wondered how much I would truly use the Kindle 2. I’m attracted by the thought of discontinuing my periodical subscriptions and going paperless via the Kindle. As of now, the Kindle iPhone app will not allow access to periodicals.
Having downloaded the app, I’ve used it to get a few sample chapters of books that have caught my eye. At this point, however, I likely wouldn’t actually purchase a full Kindle book and read it on my iPhone. For the brief amount of time I spend reading on the iPhone, I will likely stick with sample chapters or free downloads of classics via Stanza.
It’s not surprising that a free app won’t replace a $359 tech toy. For a complete and extremely thorough look at this new iPhone app compliment to the Kindle 2, check out this awesome article by CNET’s Nicole Lee, who owns the real thing!
This post is courtesy of the Productivity @ Home Blog.
17 Mar 2009 Catholic Tech Tips
The screen. And I’m not talking about its size.
The iPhone’s screen rocks, but it’s still a back-lit LCD screen. The Kindle, and other e-ink devices use electronic ink, which looks nearly identical to real, printed ink, does not flicker, and is incredibly easy to read. I have a Sony Reader, which is another e-ink ebook Reader and I’ve sat and read for hours on end without eye strain or fatigue. It’s in a whole different league than the iPhone when it comes to reading.
The Kindle app is great because it lets you pick up where you left off on your Kindle so that you can continue reading in places where you would not ordinarily have your Kindle; like if you’re waiting in line somewhere.
I think the Stanza app has more features and gives you a variety of stores from which to obtain your books.
The Kindle app really is for the casual reader who wants to have Amazon books on their device, or for the Kindle owner who wants to enhance the use of their purchased content.