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eBook Readers for the iPad

Sunday, September 5th, 2010 – running time 08:34
David shows you a comprehensive review of the most popular eBook readers for the Apple iPad and the bookstores for each of them.

Segments

One of the original intentions for this iPad was for it to be an Amazon Kindle killer, right? This episode of AppJudgment reviews Apple's native iBooks, Barnes & Noble's "nook", Borders eBooks, and Amazon Kindle for the iPad. All the eBooks on the various stores are competitively priced at about $10 a book. The only major problem I had with the iPad as a platform for eBooks is that the display is glossy and can be rather annoying to deal with in different light conditions compared to the Amazon Kindle's electronic paper display.

Review by: David Prager

iBooks

AppJudgment:
Download

Download
iBooks

Version 1.1.2 | Developed by Apple | 16 MB | Free

PROS:
- Store looks good
- Books look good
- Features look and feel good
- Ports over to your mac, iPhone, etc.

CONS:
- Store selection isn't quite there yet

01:20

Play

Borders eBooks

AppJudgment:
Don't Download

Don't Download
Borders eBooks

Version 3.3.1 | Developed by Borders | 12.3 MB | Free

PROS:
- Great in-app store with huge selection
- Nice looking customizations for your library

CONS:
- HATE that there are no notes and highlights and dictionary features

02:56

Play

Barnes & Noble Nook

AppJudgment:
Don't Download

Don't Download
Barnes & Noble Nook

Version 2.2 | Developed by Electronic Arts | 17.7 MB | Free

PROS:
- Good selection of books
- Has highlight and notes and dictionary features

CONS:
- Your library design looks bland and plain
- You can't highlight all that well
- The customizations on look and feel are extensive, but just lacking on aesthetic

03:43

Play

Kindle

AppJudgment:
Download

Download
Amazon Kindle

Version 2.2.1 | Developed by Reinke LLC | 6.1 MB | Free

PROS:
- Huge huge huge number of titles available
- A simple look and feel with just the right amount of aesthetic customizations
- Easy to use notes and highlighting features - crowdsourced popular highlights

CONS:
- The store on Amazon is out of the app (must use browser)
- Layout of notes and highlights and bookmarks could look better

05:17

Play

Pros, Cons & Final Judgment

Overall, there are two clear clear winners in our book... ahem, our ebook: iBooks & Kindle. iBooks has one major con which is their overall selection, but I think they'll get there and the overall look and feel and aesthetic is hands down the best by a lot. The Amazon Kindle App boasts all the same features and ease of use as iBooks. If their aesthetic was as good as iBooks, Kindle would be the run away winner. As for Barnes & Noble's Nook and Borders eReader, there are just too many things missing from Nook to make it worthwhile when you have other eBook reader options and the fact that there is no highlighting and notes and dictionary for Borders makes it an absolute don't download.

05:57

Play

Do you have another app you'd like us to review? Email us at appjudgment at revision3 dot com, ping us in the forums or on Twitter: @AppJudgment



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