Can I buy ebooks now?
- Thread starter imatt
- Start date
There are apps out that will read nearly any eBook format. However, the "built in iBook" app may not read the eBooks you are getting from there.
Also, the Apple Proprietary eBook format will be incompatible with other devices as well.
Also, the Apple Proprietary eBook format will be incompatible with other devices as well.
Found a good post here: New ebook format for iPad incompatible with others - Story - Technology - 3 News
Thanks for the link. It is a tough move by Apple. They probably figure consumers aren't fully onboard yet for the ebooks which leaves a large market share to take. And if people know they can only have ebooks on Apple with Apples compatibility, they will only resort to buying newer editions of Apples iPad. It's a gamble but if it pays off, it pays off big.
There are a few eBook reader apps for the iPhone that should run "today" on the iPad, so that shouldn't be a worry.
TheBaron
iPF Noob
imatt, I'm curious about this same exact thing since I plan to mainly use my ipad as an ebook reader. I'm not very excited about the DRM that Apple is implementing. I think if I purchase a book, I should be able to use it however I want - read it, lend it to a friend, etc.
I just checked ebooks.com to see what kind of ebook formats they support. It appears they give you the option to purchase PDF, ePub, Microsoft Reader, and MobiPocket format. It seems the majority of those formats are used on other e-reader software for handheld devices. I just have a feeling that the Apple e-reader software won't read these formats. I mean, they want you to buy books from itunes..not from other vendors using other formats, right?
The iPhone can read PDFs though, so I imagine you'll be able to read PDFs on the iPad. It'll probably just read like any other PDF (no fancy book/page layout and formatting with the turning pages).
I'm interested to see how this all pans out though. I'll definitely be looking for an app that is just as fancy as the built in reader app but allows you to read multiple formats. Thanks for sharing the link. ebooks.com seems like a really cool resource if we can find a way to read them on our ipads.
I just checked ebooks.com to see what kind of ebook formats they support. It appears they give you the option to purchase PDF, ePub, Microsoft Reader, and MobiPocket format. It seems the majority of those formats are used on other e-reader software for handheld devices. I just have a feeling that the Apple e-reader software won't read these formats. I mean, they want you to buy books from itunes..not from other vendors using other formats, right?
The iPhone can read PDFs though, so I imagine you'll be able to read PDFs on the iPad. It'll probably just read like any other PDF (no fancy book/page layout and formatting with the turning pages).
I'm interested to see how this all pans out though. I'll definitely be looking for an app that is just as fancy as the built in reader app but allows you to read multiple formats. Thanks for sharing the link. ebooks.com seems like a really cool resource if we can find a way to read them on our ipads.
wot_fan
iPF Noob
How do we know this? As far as I know, Apple has been silent on the subject. I am a not saying that Apple won't use a proprietary DRM method on its ebooks. I am just don't think we know for sure yet. The article you linked to has a lot of IFs in it. Seems like it contains more speculation than fact.
If I missed the announcement from Apple, could you please post a link. I would really like to read it.
If you can't download the "normal" free books that we see on most every other reader into iBooks I will be very disappointed.
For purchased books there are many apps out there to read purchased content and you will just have to decide the cheapest place to buy them is.
Really irritating that we have seen so little out of Apple, jeez how about a press release or two.
For purchased books there are many apps out there to read purchased content and you will just have to decide the cheapest place to buy them is.
Really irritating that we have seen so little out of Apple, jeez how about a press release or two.
iBean
iPF Noob
I currently use the eReader app on my iTouch and am able to read all kinds of free downloads. As far as audio books go, I just download them to iTunes then put them on my iTouch. My biggest problem so far has been that I have not yet figured out how to down load only 1 audio book. My iTunes does not allow me to check which audio book I want to download. I don't want to delete the ones I've already listened to, because several involved a lot of time in converting them from CD to a audiobook format that could then be downloaded to the iTouch. I back up all the books I buy from Audible, so they can be reloaded easily. I wonder if I can relisten to any of those on my iPad?
rob the elder
iPF Noob
My personal experience with Amazon over the past year has been very positive. I have a Kindle and IPONE reader. I use them both extensively.
The big difference with the Amazon ebook process is they maintain your copies for you, you can down load them to the device of your choice when ever you want by logging onto your account. Laptop, Desktop, IPHONE etc. The only DRM they apply is by the account. Once you purchase on your account, you can read it on any device as long as you log onto your Amazon account with that device.
Also they have a kind of loaner capability that I have not used. You go through a simple process to loan it to another account holder and they can open it. Only one account can open it at a time and after some interval it goes back to your account long term
One advantage is that Amazon maintains the data for you so you dont have to have your own library with all the implications for maintenance, backup etc.
The big difference with the Amazon ebook process is they maintain your copies for you, you can down load them to the device of your choice when ever you want by logging onto your account. Laptop, Desktop, IPHONE etc. The only DRM they apply is by the account. Once you purchase on your account, you can read it on any device as long as you log onto your Amazon account with that device.
Also they have a kind of loaner capability that I have not used. You go through a simple process to loan it to another account holder and they can open it. Only one account can open it at a time and after some interval it goes back to your account long term
One advantage is that Amazon maintains the data for you so you dont have to have your own library with all the implications for maintenance, backup etc.
My guess is the Kindle App, will work with the iPad. On the Kindle site is says coming soon to Mac and already I'm seeing some big changes happening to the Kindle site. They are showing some books as "formatted for a larger screen" however, that could be for their Kindle DX model (larger size kindle) Also they are offering more FREE books and reduced prices, in order to stay competitive.
I personally really like their services, I can sync my Kindle, PC netbook, iPod Touch, iPhone all with one Kindle account and read on whichever device I want and not lose my place. I'm hoping the iPad will be included as well. Actually, I would be really surprised if it isn't, since most of the apps are supposed to work on the iPad and Kindle is one of the apps.
2 days till Pre-Order!
I personally really like their services, I can sync my Kindle, PC netbook, iPod Touch, iPhone all with one Kindle account and read on whichever device I want and not lose my place. I'm hoping the iPad will be included as well. Actually, I would be really surprised if it isn't, since most of the apps are supposed to work on the iPad and Kindle is one of the apps.
2 days till Pre-Order!
TheBaron
iPF Noob
According to this cnn comparison article, the itunes/ipad book format uses "open ePub format":
Apple iPad vs. Amazon Kindle chart | Crave - CNET
From what I'm reading, this is a standard ebook format and not a specific Apple format. I'm sure their DRM will be Apple specific, but the book format itself appears to be a standard ebook file type.
So, this is good news. We should be able to download ePub format books from sites like ebooks.com and they should work in the ipad book reader app. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Apple iPad vs. Amazon Kindle chart | Crave - CNET
From what I'm reading, this is a standard ebook format and not a specific Apple format. I'm sure their DRM will be Apple specific, but the book format itself appears to be a standard ebook file type.
So, this is good news. We should be able to download ePub format books from sites like ebooks.com and they should work in the ipad book reader app. Keeping my fingers crossed.
TheBaron
iPF Noob
Here's another article indicating that Apple is using the standard ebook format:
The iPad iBooks App uses free, open-source ePub format | Cult of Mac
Sounds like we can buy books in ePub format and read them just fine in the Apple ebook reader. This is awesome news. I'm bookmarking a bunch of pages on ebooks.com now.
The iPad iBooks App uses free, open-source ePub format | Cult of Mac
Sounds like we can buy books in ePub format and read them just fine in the Apple ebook reader. This is awesome news. I'm bookmarking a bunch of pages on ebooks.com now.
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