Tech Cast Now

Kindle for iPhone is a free application that lets you read more than 350,000 Kindle books on your iPhone or iPod touch—no Kindle required. Amazon's new Whispersync functionality automatically synchronizes your last page read so you can easily switch between devices and pick up reading from where you last left off.

This review is part of a series on eBook readers.  Because the readers are intended for different purposes the criteria for ‘Import Options’ was evaluated based on the applications intent.  The reviewed apps were divided into three main categories; commercial, non-commercial (free books), and speed readers. 

 Amazon's Kindle eBook device has received a lot of press. Unfortunately I've never had the opportunity to try one. After testing this and the other commercial eBook readers I was surprised Kindle for the iPhone didn't fair better. It is missing a few of the user interface niceties the other apps included. It does have annotations, but was missing the dictionary lookup feature.

One strong point of the Kindle is Amazon's Whispersync, which uses the the network to sync bookmarks, notes, and reading location between the iPhone and your Kindle device.

 

Amazon's large selection of eBooks is one thing going for the iPhone version of the Kindle. I've been using the Kindle since it was released on the iPhone and have purchased a few books through the Kindle for the iPhone.

 

Not the strongest, but backed by Amazon well worth a look. -Alan-

Clean Installation Did the app install easily and cleanly? (assigned weight-5)

10

Easy Configuration Was initial configuration simple and easy to understand? (assigned weight-5)

10

Learning Curve Is app easy to lean and use? (assigned weight-5)

10

Support Website Does the developer offer a comprehensive support site? (assigned weight-4)

8

Help - Does app have built in help that is really helpful? (Direct access in app, access via web, or none. (assigned weight-5)

7

Bugs - Does the app work as expected, without bugs (assigned weight-5)

10

Load Time - Does the app load quickly? ( ready to use in less than 10 seconds on 3GS) (assigned weight-3)

10

Controls Does app offer adequate controls for purpose? (assigned weight-5)

8

Regular Updates Does vendor appear to keep app up-to-date (updated or released in last 6 months=10,-1 per month after 6 unless reason update is not required)? (assigned weight-3)

10

Alternative Languages Does the app support alternate languages? (assigned weight-2)

1

Intuitive Interface Is the interface intuitive (icons, menus, and directional symbols) for average users and does it adhere to good iPhone design principles? (assigned weight-5)

9

Screen Layouts Are screen layouts logical and well-designed? (assigned weight-5)

10

Navigation Is the app navigation logical and easy to use? (assigned weight-4)

10

Readability Legible text and print size that is appropriate for the intended audience. Are fonts and interface elements easy to see and read? (assigned weight-5)

10

Recovery from Incoming Call Does the app recover after being interrupted by an incoming call or message? (to test interrupt app during operation ) (assigned weight-5)

10

Restart/Pause/Shutdown If applicable, does the app allow user to pause or shutdown and restart at a meaningful and logical point after previous use? If game, does it restart to place in level, or can you pause before closing app. (to test close and reopen app to see if it restarts to a meaningful point) (assigned weight-5)

10

Graphics Quality Are the graphics of good quality and resolution; do images load within reasonable timeframe? (assigned weight-5)

10

Graphics Usefulness Are the graphics meaningful and useful? (assigned weight-5)

10

eBook Reader - Import options Does the app offer options to import documents and text. This is based on it's intended use (commercial or free/general) (Text from PC, copy/paste, e-book download free, download commercial, web sites, …) (assigned weight-3)

10

eBook Reader - Library Organization Does it allow user to organize in library or categories? (Yes = 10, No= 1) (assigned weight-3)

1

eBook Reader - Sort order Does it allow sort by title, author, recent… (Yes = 10, No= 1) (assigned weight-3)

10

eBook Reader - TOC Does it allow access to the TOC? (Yes = 10, No= 1) (assigned weight-3)

10

eBook Reader - Search text Does it include search feature? (Yes = 10, No= 1) (assigned weight-3)

10

eBook Reader - Definitions Does it allow lookup in dictionary (built-in or online)? (yes=10, no=1) (assigned weight-3)

1

eBook Reader - Font Size Adjust Does it allow font size adjustment? (Multiple = 10, no choice 1) (assigned weight-3)

10

eBook Reader - Font Type Does it allow selection of different fonts?(Multiple = 10, limited=5 no choice 1) (assigned weight-3)

1

eBook Reader - Font Color Does it allow selection of different font colors? (Multiple = 10, light/dark only 5, no choice 1) (assigned weight-3)

5

eBook Reader - Background Color Does it allow selection of different background colors? (Multiple = 10, light/dark only= 5, no choice=1) (assigned weight-3)

5

eBook Reader - Bookmarks Does the app allow bookmarks of pages. (Yes = 10, No=1) (assigned weight-3)

10

eBook Reader - Line justification Does it allow full justification? (Yes = 10, No= 1) (assigned weight-3)

1

eBook Reader - Line spacing Does it allow user to adjust line spacing? (Yes = 10, No= 1, or NA=delete if single line screen) (assigned weight-3)

1

eBook Reader - Margin Adjust Does it allow margin (screen edge) adjustment? (Yes = 10, No= 1) (assigned weight-3)

1

eBook Reader - Rotation and lock Does it allow rotation and/or rotation and/or rotation lock? (both=10, rotation w/ no lock = 7, none=1) (assigned weight-3)

1

eBook Reader - Restart as last place Does it restart at last point? (Yes = 10, No= 1) (assigned weight-3)

10