Filed under: iPhone, App Store, iPod touch
The rumors were true -- you can turn your iPhone into a Kindle
You knew it was going to happen. Today Amazon is offering a free app [App Store link] for the iPhone/iPod touch that will give owners of those devices access to all the books Amazon sells for the Kindle eBook reader. The Kindle, which was updated last month, costs US $359.00. Amazon says it has a library of more than 240,000 eBooks for sale.The app does not make a direct connection to the Kindle store. You'll have to use Safari on the iPhone, iPod touch, or computer to actually buy the content. If you own a Kindle already, you will be able to sync the books you have over to the iPhone.
Amazon says it has been working on the software for months, and sees it as a gateway to get people interested in buying a Kindle.
One of the advantages of the Kindle app is that you will be able to see color illustrations in books, something not possible on the Kindle hardware, which only shows images in shades of gray.
The iPhone version of the software does not have the controversial text to speech feature that has raised the eyebrows of companies selling audio books. Friday, Amazon said it would let publishers selectively turn off that feature on the Kindle.
Thanks to everyone who sent this in.
Get a WordPress.com Blog
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
James said 2:14AM on 3-04-2009
US Only - typically typical! Guess they don't want my GBP Sterling (who does these days?)
Reply
Dave said 2:39AM on 3-04-2009
I'm in Canada and I would like to use this as well. Bummer. :(
13tales said 8:41AM on 3-04-2009
*glares daggers at Amazon and Apple*
Note to digital content providers: Get with the bloody program already. Sort this licensing sh*t OUT, or I will just pirate your stuff. I would happily pay for it.
JP said 2:50AM on 3-04-2009
US-only, like the Kindle.
Oh well, back to Stanza then....
Reply
David Robison said 11:57AM on 3-04-2009
Wait, you mean there are people with like, electricity and computers outside the US? That's crazy talk!
amalgam said 2:20AM on 3-04-2009
Ok, I got the app, now how do I get the slew of free kindle stuff (as on ManyBooks.net) from my PC to the phone?
Reply
brian said 10:28AM on 3-04-2009
Good question. If Amazon *really* wants people to use this *and* see that it's good to pique their interest in the Kindle, they should offer at least a couple free titles to let people see how it compares to other iPhone eBook readers. I'd rather not pay $10 for some random book just to see if I like the app in general or not. Even a sample chapter of Huck Finn or something would be enough to get an idea of it. Is there any good free content that will work with the Kindle app?
Galley said 1:16PM on 3-04-2009
@Brian: Nearly any book title has a free sample available.
Evan said 2:21AM on 3-04-2009
Kindle - $359 - can read books and download them wirelessly
iPhone - $199 - can read books and download them wirelessly....oh yeah, you can call people, text people, check your email, surf the internet, check the weather, get stock updates, IM with friends, play games....that stuff too
I'll sacrifice screen size for features and a better price.
Amazon's pricing is insane....especially with the current state of the economy
Reply
Dave said 2:39AM on 3-04-2009
Total cost of ownership is significantly higher with an iPhone. But the Kindle is still overpriced.
sam said 3:51AM on 3-04-2009
There's something to be said for using the right tool for the job. Just because the iPhone has an ebook application doesn't mean that it does it well.
Trust me, I've read books off of the iPhone, Windows Mobile phones, and old Palm phones/Palm pilots. Reading off of an ebook reader is 100x better.
teiresias said 12:39PM on 3-04-2009
You've obviously not seen an e-ink screen in person. For any lengthy reading it completely trumps an LCD screen that's blaring light into your eyes and giving you a migraine in the process.
Patriks7 said 11:26AM on 3-04-2009
"iPhone - $199"
So you get your phone subsidized and you don't have to pay for the plan? Nice!
An unsubsidized iPhone is around 799$. The subsidized one ends up being around 2,000$ at the end of the two years with the plan if I'm not mistaken.
I am guessing that someone will bring up the fact that you can get an iPod Touch for around 300$ (too lazy to check prices) but reading on a 3.5 screen vs the big one on the Kindle is not really worth it at all.
puffin said 1:45PM on 3-04-2009
They aren't supposed to be competing for the same market. One is a "phone" with various applications most of which aren't worth peoples hard earned $.99. The other is an E-book reader.
The Kindle is an awesome E-book reader. The iphone isn't even in the same league as the Kindle. Try reading Ulysses on an iphone and you'll understand why the Kindle is worth the money.
Oh and the internet option (though limited) on the Kindle is completely free... no service contract. So add in your money for your 2 year required contract with AT&T, and you'll see that an Iphone in the is economy isn't quite the deal you think it is.
markintellect said 5:20PM on 3-05-2009
The Kindle has a 2 week battery life, and a screen that you can watch for hours without problems.
Grant said 2:34AM on 3-04-2009
Apple/Amazon start google maps, now move a bit to the right .. bit further .. yep thats it ... Europe
Can we have some better support thanks
Reply
Adam said 3:17AM on 3-04-2009
for anyone who hasn't sat down with a REAL e.book reader, e-ink trumps backlit LCD any day for reading. For serious readers, the price of the kindle or the Sony eBook is well worth the price, considering the expense of Minority Report-esque eye replacement surgery these days.
Reply
sam said 3:54AM on 3-04-2009
Agreed.
Just because the iPhone CAN do something, doesn't mean it SHOULD be used to do it.
It's ability to display books does not mean it is well suited for the job.
Chris Aubeck said 6:42AM on 3-04-2009
Just because you CAN afford it, it doesn't mean you should HAVE to.
Scott said 3:26AM on 3-04-2009
I would expect an update to the Amazon Mobile app to add Kindle purchases. Makes sense, no?
Reply