[bonaccij]

I have about 20 books on my iPhone right now, including the Dictionary, that I absolutely love reading on. I am not sure about text books, but I can't imagine that for regular reading, anyone would really have a problem with reading on the iPhone.
In addition to the books I have, I read the New York Times every day. I think reading on the iPhone is wonderful. I had been waiting for ereader to put out an app for the iPhone for quite some time. I am glad that they finally did. Oh - and by the way - the ereader application is free... so you all should check it out. It is much better than stanza.

[stevenga]

I've used fictionwise.com and ereader.com for years on my old iPaq, and was very happy when they made their 'ereader' iPhone app. So why are you saying there isn't a viable iPhone ebook app? It works well, and they have, and will continue, to upgrade it with more features. I still prefer real books, but there's nothing like having books and magazines with you every where you go, without the bulk. When I travel for business, especially with all the new restrictions, I travel as light as possible. There are several books I've read exclusively on planes and trains using my iPhone. I wouldn't have room to pack the real things in my carry on.

[phillryu]

Removed, please disregard this post.
Message was edited by: phillryu

[3lutz3toe]

The article is missing the point here. I don’t think Ebooks will ever take off or replace paper books. Can you imagine reading a 300 page book on a computer screen? It doesn’t offer the tactile feel of a book, where you actually turn a page. Computer screens are for limited reading, not long marathon ones like a book. Even if they come out w/ screens that are not too straining on your eyes, reading from them for long aint fun.
Plus, who would want to curl up to an IPhone like book? Doesn’t sound comforting does it?
Hence the comparison between EBooks and Digital Music is totally off here. Listening to music doesn’t require some of those constraints above that reading does.
When was the last time that anyone read a long article on the computer? What do we do first thing? PRINT IT OUT!

[maineguy]

Although a larger size may be beneficial for many, I'm not too sure the small form factor would be a disadvantage. After all, how many books are published in paperback (with 3/4" margins!) so they can be lugged around easily. Take out those margins, and from a readability issue, you're not far off from the size of a Touch... plus you can always zoom an iPhone or touch! Try THAT with a paperback!

[smib]

You clearly have not had any experience with an e-ink display. Reading black text on white paper as you say you do with articles causes way more eye srtain than one of these displays. The only part of the reading experience you lose by using a Kindle, or any e-reader for that matter, is the smell of a book and the feel of paper while turning the page.

[KillJoy]

I've been reading eBooks for years, first on my Palm with PeanutPress then eReader. Now that eReader is on the iPhone I'm reading my eBooks again. True the screen size is a small issue, but for true portability it just works. The iPhone eReader client works well, also with the ability to look-up spelling & definitions makes it that much more valuable. I've also ported ton's of html available stories (DKM rocks!) to my Personal content shelf, now I can manage all my ebooks in one spot at eReader.com.
Would I like a iPad (iTablet whatever), hell yes! Would I like an iTunes eBook store, hell yes! Will it happen soon, probably not - Steve Jobs himself said nobody reads books anymore (yeah right!?!), have you ever surfed the web and not read anything? I must admit I'm a big reader as is the rest of my family. The ability to download & read books on the go (I currently have 20 ebooks on my iPhone) is the whole point, weather Apple backs it or not the Application is there, the central repository is there as well (though not as consolidated as iTunes).
Andy, I'd say we are already there, the future iPhones/iPod Touch/iPad/iTunes Store will just make it more enjoyable and easier to read & manage.
Cheers!
KillJoy

[KentD]

You need to see the Kindle. Electronic paper is higher resolution than a computer screen, and it does not flicker. Once the page is written, it stays. Contrast is good, too.

[rogerjth]

A comment on smlb's extended remarks.
As i stated in my own blurb, currently owning and using an existing ereader - be it of the Kindle/Sony or the iPhone format is what's needed to better outlined the current and future prospects of such devices and of the eBooks paradigm in general.
Thus I appreciate smlb's comments: he is a reader (let's fact it, in an age where music is everywhere and peddled as a dominant entertainment medium, book promoters have a little work ahead of them to make their wares broadly enjoyed by the public), does not think books are dead, realizes what the best uses are for the Kindle (certainly NOT full color art books or other such memorable items one wants to keep on a shelf)), and looks forward to improvements in the Reader product category. Not a bad way to approach any new technology - i.e. from an ACTUAL user's standpoint (in this case of the early adopter kind, almost).
I think we are currently facing 2 types of products which have a real chance to give the eReader/eBooks technology a firm (and needed) go: Kindle (with its very focused purpose in all its spartan implementation) and iPhone. One is really HERE (along with an extended and easy to get at selection of books), the other is also here, but looking for a better way to be truly practical (in the case of the iPhone, I am talking here about screen size which can an item of discussion, but really about primarily about BATTERY LIFE - an essential item: to give credit to Mr Bezos of Amazon, Kindle users do not have to adopt a cumbersome book-tethered-to-wall-outlet metaphor!)
THINGS SHALL EVOLVE. The (failed?) Apple Newton itself led to an overwhelming dominance of Smartphones in the mobile business (or at least, that should be the way it becomes, i.e., MUST HAVE full internet access, with full browser from a mob phone, period!)
- RT

[eveningclouds]

Publishers support Kindle because it is linked to a proven partner that can deliver 150,000+ titles in a completely secure environment (downloads work ONLY on a single Kindle). Unless Apple can deliver a huge number of titles and make them secure, publishers will stay away. Much better is for Amazon to work with Apple to develop an iPhone and Touch application with solid DRM. I know some folks hate DRM, but you cannot do any form of commercial publishing without it.

[rogerjth]

Comment on inkling's precise remarks.
I like especially the idea to emulate and use (it IS a successful thing) the iTunes/Music delivery paradigm. Music, justifiablyor not (that's another debate altogether) has become a favored means of entertainment and even communication and social interaction.
I also like the speech to text: I use that feature on my MacBookPro to read/listen to news reports from online broadcasters. very effective indeed. Across platforms transportability is also good.
i would ad that targeting specific reading areas (inlking makes a good point of emphasizing professional reading, with its own needs for annotating, stacking, better illustrations, sharing) with specific device features: the Kindle for example is good for storing and reading masses of casual material (novels, etc..) which one does NOT want to bother storing on shelves or displaying on coffee tables (art books for example will always be better available in lavish formats!). My wife reads lots of novels and does not want to bother having them in print, especially since a paperback is not exactly an attractive format to hold and cherish, except perhaps for the sometimes alluring, colorful covers!). The Kindle is excellent for that, period, in all its electronic on light grey background AND fantastic battery life. I find the iPhone - which I own, along with many wonderful Apps including eReader, a capable reader (large screen for a smartphone, excellent touch/feel/esthetics of course!). I enjoy it all, but the smaller format is a little bit inconvenient sometimes.
I think upcoming eReaders (just a generic term here!) will be of various kinds of sophistication, including all the way to small tablet computers (certain models of such devices are ALREADY barely larger than a Kindle indeed: I own a small ASUS linux based computer which I travel with for email, basic docs storage and retrieval, and Skype. Funnily enough, I do not store eBooks on it: i prefer the simpler shape of the Kindle, w/o the large keyboard between me and the screen (touch/stylus sensitive screen MUST become more common in all electronic displays!) which itself is hardly larger than a book!). But, all in all, I still buy books on print when I feel the need for it: important books for my tastes, reference material (it is still MUCH easier to rapidly leaf through a paper book looking for some key info or heading!)
The whole area of electronic printed material is about to go very mainstream: devices, formats and aps will follow~!
- Roger T

[identityguy]

First off let me start by saying it would not be the iPod Touch or iPhone as the e-book reader, it's just too small and although I have used some of the touch e-book readers, they are tough to stay in front of for long periods of time. Apple would have to design a slick e-book reader about the size of the Sony e-book reader.

How about a 12inch power book tablet with ebook functionality, hmmm. That would be cool; as thin as the Macbook Air.

I agree the Kindle is ugly and way over priced on top of that you are stuck buying from Amazon who's e-books are over priced. But that would be a problem with Apple as well, they would over price the books in the iTunes store.

I love to read and have an ebook reader and still read regular hard covers when I find them on sale at B&N. However I think the majority of readers are older and don't and won't embrace technology like the new generation.

Dean
http://www.ireviewiphoneapps.com

[red11215]

The free eReader application is great. I'm now reading my 5th complete novel on the iPhone with eReader. With some easy adjustments of screen brightness (turn it way down), font, etc... you can get close to the Kindle neutral paper reading experience. Everyone says "no way", I don't like ebooks, it's not the same or blah, blah, blah, but just try to be open minded and work with the program adjustments while reading one short book. I am now addicted to reading like this- and the integrated dictionary is amazing. I involuntarily find myself wanting to press on a word in a normal paper book to get the definition!! I've also tried the inverted black background/ white letters in dark rooms or in bed at night- it works great! I love being able to download new books from my library anywhere with my iPhone. I'm sold. No additional reader needed apple. Thank you.

[OptionTrader]

Open mind or not, the iPhone/Touch is not the solution for long reads. I tried it, and I hate it. It still pales in comparison to this:

http://www.irextechn.../products/iliad

I have read dozens of books, indoors, at the airport, on a plane, on the beach (in direct sunlight, no less) and found it very comfortable to do so.

Nothing against AAPL, I simply think the iPhone has its place, and as book reader, it doesn't fit.