August 2nd, 2008
eReader for iPhone and iPod touch version 1.1 (web | iTunes) includes the following new features:
* The ability to download eReader PDB files from web sites other than eReader.com and Fictionwise.com, as well as personal content in eReader PDB format. For details see the Personal Content FAQ.
* New options to: lock screen orientation, tap instead of swipe to turn pages, choose white text on black background, turn off page animation, and turn off full justification of text.
* Ability to sort the on-device bookshelf by author, title, or download date.
* Better error messages and several bug fixes.
That means you can download eReader books from this site — just select eReader format from the Download menu (or from the list if you’re browsing via iPhone view) and that’s it… you’re ready to read.
There’s a demo video on YouTube, a list of iPhone compatible stores on eReader.com, and some helpful information on moving personal content into eReader.
Looks like a really solid update!
Update: The plain Palm Doc format is also supported by eReader v 1.1
Update: Some interesting comments on Teleread.org.
August 1st, 2008
The BookZ text reader for iPhone (web | iTunes) is simple: you can download text (.txt) files from the web and read them on your iPhone.
The interface is clean and responsive, and the preferences are accessible, and easy to use. Ease of use isn’t always at the top of the list in iPhone applications, and BookZ stands out with two preference screens:
First off, font sizes are displayed actual size, so there’s no guessing. Seems simple, but lots of applications get this wrong. I don’t want to have to guess — just show me the font size!
The font faces are also shown using the font face itself, so there’s no question about what “Zapfino” really means.
Manybooks.net doesn’t currently offer plain text files (various reasons, none of which are really top of my list right now), but most titles have links back to Project Gutenberg in the download menu. If you’re browsing this site with BookZ’s built in web browser just select “Project Gutenberg” from the dropdown and you’ll be sent directly to the page for that title. Click on the plain text link and you’ll be reading in no time!
July 20th, 2008
Well, I’m on vacation with my family, so of course manybooks develops some weird problems creating eReader formatted texts (mobipocket, too, perhaps). Yeargh! I’ll look into it as soon as I’ve got an hour to spare, but I’m putting the time with my folks, wife, and brother first. Sorry folks!
Update: A simple reboot seems to have fixed it, for once. Yay. Even though it’s raining I’m still going to vacation.
July 11th, 2008
So the iTunes app store is up and running, and there are two good-looking ebook readers already in place:
I’m looking forward to figuring out ways of making manybooks’ library available to users of those applications, in addition to the existing download-and-install methods.
Update
Another ebook reader has been released: Stanza (iTunes), which links to Feedbooks excellent library. The Desktop application will also convert many formats into iPhone bookmarklets.
July 6th, 2008
User’s bookshelves are now private by default — once made public there will also be an RSS feed for each shelf, updated hourly, and (once the kinks have been worked out) a “repository” plist file for iPhone users who have a jailbroken device with Installer.app.
