The mainstream media has given Apple's iPad at least two thumbs up in blanket review coverage the day before it officially launches. Though e-books are not the prime concern for many reviewers with the iBookstore store yet to have a commercial book offer, the reviewers were generally positive about the idea of reading books on the dev
ice, with the Times suggesting that "Amazon should be seriously worried".
The Sun goes into detail on the merits of the iBookstore, which it said was "sure to see brisk business". It added: "E-readers from the likes of Cool-er, Sony and the Amazon Kindle are still niche devices here but by bringing electronic books firmly to the iPad, Apple is ensuring this is one of many reasons to own the device, rather than the only reason. That's important if you're struggling to justify the extra few hundred pounds over an e-reader. This is much better value-for-money all-round... I'm not entirely sold on sitting and ready a whole novel on the screen, a paperback is still more enticing, but this technology opens up a new level of interaction with the printed word - and pictures."
The Metro's review also lingers on the question of digital books, comparing the iPad to those devices already available. "It might not have the same clear definition of dedicated readers such as Amazon’s Kindle or Sony’s eReader but it is in glorious colour – and oh, how glorious. Everyone who has seen it has instantly fallen for its charms. Whip it out in public and you’re besieged by drooling onlookers," the reviewer said, adding later: "I can lounge on the sofa, or in bed, and have access to everything I need: music, video, books, the internet."
The Times dedicates more space to discussing the value of the iPad for e-books, urging readers to download the iBook app "straight away". The reviewer enthuses about the experience, saying it "could not be simpler" - although adds the weight may be "tiring" after some time. "As for tired eyes from the screen compared with e-ink screens, I found no trouble with it and the brightness can always be adjusted. Using the iPad outside in bright sunshine was a problem but I still preferred the reading experience to that of the Kindle. Amazon should be seriously worried right about now for their hardware Kindle business." However, it acknowledges that: "Slightly worryingly, the UK Apple website does not yet have the same guide to what the iBook store contains as the US website. Whether this means that the iBook store will not launch in the UK when the iPad comes to Britain by the end of this month is not clear. Apple is not saying."
In the Daily Telegraph's review, for example, the reviewer says the device "weighs about the same as a hardback book", and loosely mentions "reading a book" - but thereafter there is no mention of reading. The overall experience, from playing games to browsing the web, takes precedence. "It’s the ultimate browsing machine. Forget smartphones and laptops - for feet-up browsing from your armchair, the iPad does it best," the Telegraph concluded.
The Guardian, which ran a review of the device in January, today has an article with various celebrities talking about the aspects of the iPad they most like or dislike. The only mention of book reading was by Jonathan Ross, who said: "I have a Kindle as well, but the iPad's colour screen really trumps that for comfortable reading, and of course photographs and artwork really 'pop' on it, so it's by far the best digital reader for magazines and comic books."
Yesterday's Evening Standard carried an extensive review, applauding the "intuitive" features and "incredibly good quality" for watching moving images, such as films. It goes on to claim, as The Bookseller reported yesterday, that: "Apple's iBooks software, which turns the device into a rather lovely electronic book, also has no commercial publishers signed up for launch (it does offer hundreds of free, out of copyright titles), although partners are expected to be added quickly."
ice, with the Times suggesting that "Amazon should be seriously worried".The Sun goes into detail on the merits of the iBookstore, which it said was "sure to see brisk business". It added: "E-readers from the likes of Cool-er, Sony and the Amazon Kindle are still niche devices here but by bringing electronic books firmly to the iPad, Apple is ensuring this is one of many reasons to own the device, rather than the only reason. That's important if you're struggling to justify the extra few hundred pounds over an e-reader. This is much better value-for-money all-round... I'm not entirely sold on sitting and ready a whole novel on the screen, a paperback is still more enticing, but this technology opens up a new level of interaction with the printed word - and pictures."
The Metro's review also lingers on the question of digital books, comparing the iPad to those devices already available. "It might not have the same clear definition of dedicated readers such as Amazon’s Kindle or Sony’s eReader but it is in glorious colour – and oh, how glorious. Everyone who has seen it has instantly fallen for its charms. Whip it out in public and you’re besieged by drooling onlookers," the reviewer said, adding later: "I can lounge on the sofa, or in bed, and have access to everything I need: music, video, books, the internet."
The Times dedicates more space to discussing the value of the iPad for e-books, urging readers to download the iBook app "straight away". The reviewer enthuses about the experience, saying it "could not be simpler" - although adds the weight may be "tiring" after some time. "As for tired eyes from the screen compared with e-ink screens, I found no trouble with it and the brightness can always be adjusted. Using the iPad outside in bright sunshine was a problem but I still preferred the reading experience to that of the Kindle. Amazon should be seriously worried right about now for their hardware Kindle business." However, it acknowledges that: "Slightly worryingly, the UK Apple website does not yet have the same guide to what the iBook store contains as the US website. Whether this means that the iBook store will not launch in the UK when the iPad comes to Britain by the end of this month is not clear. Apple is not saying."
In the Daily Telegraph's review, for example, the reviewer says the device "weighs about the same as a hardback book", and loosely mentions "reading a book" - but thereafter there is no mention of reading. The overall experience, from playing games to browsing the web, takes precedence. "It’s the ultimate browsing machine. Forget smartphones and laptops - for feet-up browsing from your armchair, the iPad does it best," the Telegraph concluded.
The Guardian, which ran a review of the device in January, today has an article with various celebrities talking about the aspects of the iPad they most like or dislike. The only mention of book reading was by Jonathan Ross, who said: "I have a Kindle as well, but the iPad's colour screen really trumps that for comfortable reading, and of course photographs and artwork really 'pop' on it, so it's by far the best digital reader for magazines and comic books."
Yesterday's Evening Standard carried an extensive review, applauding the "intuitive" features and "incredibly good quality" for watching moving images, such as films. It goes on to claim, as The Bookseller reported yesterday, that: "Apple's iBooks software, which turns the device into a rather lovely electronic book, also has no commercial publishers signed up for launch (it does offer hundreds of free, out of copyright titles), although partners are expected to be added quickly."
