First impressions of the Kindle iPhone app

Updated below, after reading on the iPhone for a few hours.

Anyone with an iPhone or an iPod Touch can now download the Amazon Kindle for iPhone application and use the device to read electronic books.

I tried the application on both an iPhone 3G and an iPod Touch, which worked in exactly the same way. You can download the free application from the iPhone App Store.

The first time you run the application, you're asked to enter your Amazon account information. In my case, because I had previously purchased books for a Kindle I reviewed last year, the books I bought back then were archived and immediately available for me to download to the iPhone. Even with a 3G connection, that process took quite a bit longer than it does with a Kindle, but after a few minutes, one of my books was available to read.

Amazingly, Amazon kept track of the page I was on when I last read it on the Kindle more than a year ago, and took me right there. I was able to go back to the beginning or any other portion of the book. Clicking anywhere on the screen brings up the Kindle icons, including one that takes you to the table of contents, another for adding a bookmark, and one for adjusting the size of the font.

Of course, most people who download the application aren't likely to have used a Kindle and probably won't have any purchased books in their archive.

Can't buy books from app
Unlike a Kindle, you can't purchase a book directly from within the application. For that, you have to go to Amazon's Web site either from a personal computer, or by using the Safari browser on the iPhone or iPod. Browsing for books on the iPhone's browser isn't as pleasant as doing so from a Kindle, but it's certainly doable.

Given a choice, I'd prefer to use a browser on a personal computer, which works as long as you're signed into the same Amazon account you use with your Kindle iPhone app.

Although the experience of buying and downloading books isn't quite as easy or fast as on the Kindle, it's nevertheless OK, but reading a book on an iPhone or iPod Touch isn't as good as it is on a Kindle.

Battery and screen
To begin with, the screen is much smaller, so you're not going to see nearly as much text on the screen as with the Kindle, which means a lot more flicking of your finger to change pages. The good news is that the next page shows up instantaneously.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos holds up a Kindle 2 at the launch in February

Another issue is that the iPhone and iPod have a backlit display that makes reading a very different experience than reading on the Kindle's reflective screen. Bright sunlight will wash out the screen, but even indoors, the screen is harder on the eyes than the Kindle or Kindle 2's screen.

Unlike the Kindle 2, which is designed to run for days or weeks between charges, an iPhone battery will die after a short period of time, which could be a deal killer, if you want to read an entire book on an airplane or other location, where you don't have access to an AC outlet.

While the application makes it possible to buy and read books on an iPhone or iPod Touch, it is quickly obvious that the device that's so good for watching video, listening to music, and talking on the phone isn't all for reading a book, especially compared with the Kindle.

But, as imperfect as it is, it's a good thing that iPhone and iPod Touch users now have access to the more than 240,000 e-books previously available only to owners of the $359 Kindle. And like Kindle owners, they can now purchase New York Times best sellers and most other new releases for $10, which is generally a lot less than the cost of a printed book.

I'm quite certain that a lot of people will try out this application, but I'm not convinced that people will like it nearly as much as people who own a Kindle. It could actually wind up boosting Kindle sales because if you do buy books to read on an iPhone, and don't like the experience, you can always download them to a Kindle--once you shell out nearly $360 for a device that truly is optimized for reading books.

A postscript after a few hours of reading on the device
After writing my first impression of Kindle for iPhone, I had the opportunity to spend some quality time with my iPod Touch aboard a flight from Palm Springs, Calif., to Dallas. After reading several chapters of a Lincoln biography, I have to admit that the reading experience was better than I expected.

I still think that the iPhone and iPod Touch aren't as good for reading as a Kindle or a paper book, but once captivated by a compelling story, I quickly forget about the device itself and just enjoyed the book.

The smaller screen indeed means more page turning, and at first, I was annoyed by the backlit screen, compared to the crisper and more paper-like reflective Kindle screen, but when I turned down the brightness, I found it easier on my eyes as well as easier on the battery.

While I totally agree with CNET's Nicole Lee that the Kindle is a much better choice for reading on a lazy Sunday afternoon, I do see a couple of silver linings to reading on an iPhone or an iPod.

First, you're more likely to have the smaller and more ubiquitous phone or music player with you. The Kindle is a bit big to fit into a pocket, and unlike an iPhone or even an iPod, you're not very likely to be carrying it with you at all times. With an iPhone or iPod. you're much more likely to have your books with you when you find a few minutes to read.

And because my iPod Touch also houses some of my favorite music, I was able to listen to music as I read, though the albums I have on my device aren't really that good as background music for reading.

Maybe that's a business opportunity for Amazon. It could hire people to pair music and books, just as culinary experts pair food and wine. And, if you already own an iPhone or iPod Touch, the money you'll save by not buying a Kindle could buy you quite a few books and songs, along with a few meals with some pretty decent wine.

I have to say that I expected the experience that Larry describes when trying to read a book on the iTouch. However I actually found the experience to be excellent. Yes you see less of a page, but you see it at any size you want so the act of reading the page is no problem. Essentially it's like reading paragraph by paragraph in terms of what you see. That in itself is a bit of a shock but once over that bump it has been a positive reading experience for me. I've now read a script and two novels during my train commutes. The best thing about this is it's another use for the iTouch, long live multi-use, enough with the specialized devices! That only helps to drive the overuse of resources which we need to stop!

[JC-2]

Well I own a Kindle, Kindle 2 and an iPod Touch and I think I will stick with reading on a Kindle at this point. I know I will get slammed but I think the saying holds true "Jack of all trades, master of none" when it comes to trying to find a device that does everything and makes breakfast for you too. The Touch screen for me is too small to read a book and the backlighting and battery issues are obvious. If I am flying to Europe and have a 10 hour flight I would rather conserve the battery on my Touch for music and use the Kindle 2 for books. I have had my Kindle 2 for a week now and have read 2 books without needing to charge the device. I would rather have one device that does what I like to do very well than one that does 10 things ok. Just my opinion.

[dominicsotirescu]

According to you, the Mac is not a computer: 'I'd prefer to use a browser on a computer or a Mac'!

I have been using e-book readers on the iPod for a year now and it works just fine, better than the Sony reader.

[markbn]

In what way is "better" than the Sony reader?

[larrymagid]

Oops. I think I mean to say "Windows computer" or just personal computer. I'll fix it.

[SenorFrog]

The iPhone is never going to be your primary device when you want to read a book. For that, it's either an actual book or an e-Reader like the Kindle. But as a Kindle owner, I like the ability to move from device to device and continue reading if I choose. And that's the great thing about this app, they (Amazon) are giving you choice.

[cfnewman]

Am I right that you books that you have just sampled on the Kindle, not bought, cannot be accessed on the IPhone?

[ryokowerx]

Personally, I use my iPod Touch for my preferred reading device. Like was mentioned, I can easily slip it into my pocket and carry it around. Sure the battery drains after about two to three hours but I rarely have that much time to sit and read for that long anyway. I'm obviously not enough of a jet setter that I have the luxury of twelve hour flights - just a bus ride to work.

And honestly? I paid $300 for my 16 Gb Touch... that does all kinds of things. The Kindle costs more and does one thing. I'm okay with my Touch not being as good a reader if it compensates by having other functionality.

And BTW you can get tons of free reading material without paying for IMHO overpriced e-books from Amazon. Sorry, guys, $10 is still too much to pay for a digital book. Try Feedbooks or grab the Stanza app for your Touch/iPhone that allows you access to many free places to get books. Yeah, I can't get the latest NYT bestsellers but most of that stuff is so disposable to begin with that I rarely bother.

howdy mr. magid,

one serious problem in my mind ...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200298470&#whattext
"Periodicals such as newspapers, magazines, and blogs, and personal documents cannot be viewed on Kindle for iPhone."

it's the newspaper and magazine subs that i find most lacking in the iphone version of the kindle. [*sigh ...*] rats!

take care,
lee