Looking for Kindle vs. iBook opinions

There is a way you can reverse the text (white on black) in iBooks.

In Settings > General > Accessibility there is "Triple-click Home" option that you can set to "White/Black".

Then, obviously, triple-click Home in iBooks for white text on a black background.

To me it's not better than black on white, but it is available now as a workaround.

I SECOND THAT!

The ONLY reason I am buying books from Amazon vs. iBooks is the SEPIA Color change in the Kindle Application (much easier on the eyes).

APPLE, please add this simple mod on the next update!

The ONLY reason I am buying books from Amazon vs. iBooks is the SEPIA Color change in the Kindle Application (much easier on the eyes).

Be sure to tell Apple that here:

http://www.apple.com/feedback/ipad.html

I am another user who actually had both and used both, so I'm not talking on speculation here. If you want to read books, like novels, without graphics, then the Kindle wins hands down. The screen is easier on the eyes (IF you are reading in good light; there is no backlight), the unit is much lighter so holding it is easier over long periods, and with all due reverence to the iPad user interface there is no way "flicking" to change pages is easier, quicker, or more intuitive than simply clicking a large button that is naturally right under your thumb. In addition, battery life is measured in weeks, not hours. I take week long cross country trips for my job and I never even bother to take the Kindle charger with me. And downloading via the Sprint cellular system, for no connection cost, means I can purchase new content anyplace, anytime.

As far as content goes the Amazon store has ibooks beat by a long shot, and there are tens of thousands of free public domain books that you can download without even going through Amazon.

Now, with that said, I recently sold my Kindle after getting the iPad. I'm not a big novel reader, and the kind of reading I do lost a lot without having the pictures and graphics. In addition I sold my netbook and I can use the iPad for browsing, reading, e-mail, etc. It's not a bad ebook reader, but nowhere near as good AT THIS ONE TASK than a Kindle.

So my advice is simple. If you just want to read ebooks get a Kindle, or one of the other dedicated ebook readers. If you want a multimedia device for more than just books, buy an iPad.

I hope this helps.

Right now the Kindle reader on the iPad is the best experience but I'm sure after a few releases of the iBook reader it will be as good or better. My girlfriend has a Nook and its very nice: light, good text, a little slow in response to browsing, etc.

I have all three eReaders on my iPad so my experiences below deal with the eReader differences between the three:

- Right now you can't add notes with the iBook but I'm sure this will be fixed soon.
- In Kindle you can have the book on both iPad and iPhone, making a quick read while waiting in line somewhere a real plus, at least until they release the iPhone version.
- Kindle allows you to synch your reading location, notes, etc, between the devices, very nice. Hopefully iBooks will do this too.
- With Kindle, and B&N, it's easy to share a book with your spouse or girlfriend if you're willing to share your account info. My son and I share reading books on Kindle (him iTouch) and iPad/iPhone (me) because we both use the same account. I'd bet that Apple will make this harder to do. The B&N 2 week Sharing program (right now only on Nook h/w) is a great idea that I wish Apple would pick up on.
- iBook purchasing inside the APP is much nicer than both B&N and Kindle readers where you get taken to a web store, purchase, then need to either send to your device (Amazon) or enter the CC number (B&N eReader).

I think in about six months all three readers should be up and running on equal footing on the iPad and I hope this will create some pricing and features competition. Right now most books are about the same price on all three devices so I'd expect to see some paid clubs/subscriptions for small discounts to try to produce product loyalty.