I have finished reading my first book and have downloaded 2 textbooks in the Kindle app. I have read 4-5 books now in the iBooks.

I must say I like the iBook better. iBook looks more like a book. I like that it has the page numbers at the bottom and the number of pages left in the chapter. Even the way the pages turn for me was a better experience.

The Kindle was fine, but there were a few irritating things. I don't understand the location function at the bottom. It makes no sense to me. The table of contents do not have page numbers, so when I am planning my textbook reading, I have no idea how long it will take. Highlighting is a real pain, I keep turning the page instead of getting what I want highlighted.

I think the readability for both apps was the similar. I just find I like the way iBooks feels, hard to explain why, it just feels better. The Kindle definitely has a larger selection of books, but it has had a head start. The PDF function in iBooks is nice, puts everything I need in one place.

I think I will stay primarily with iBooks, and will only use the Kindle when I can't get the books from the iBook store.

I am just curious what others think?

I agree completely...iBook won me over too.

My reading is almost completely recreational so I am still a huge Kindle fan because there is so much more content available from Amazon than Apple... for now. I also like the fact that I can buy stuff from Amazon on any computer anywhere at any time and add it to my library, but with iBooks, I can only download content from my iPad.

As far as no page numbers, this is because you can change the font size. By increasing or decreasing the font size, this will ultimately determine how many pages are in the book so there is no easy way to accurately keep track of the page numbers!

I prefer the kindle app. But I really prefer the actual kindle. I have never been all that disturbed by the location numbers. I can read location numbers now, it is like converting Celsius and Fahrenheit. I prefer Fahrenheit but I understand Celsius.

I actually prefer it not looking like a book. I think the graphics get in the way of the text.

I think both apps are good, and give a good reader experience. They are different enough that they can appeal to different people, and therefore give choice. I use Stanza most of the time because I like to set my own margins, have quick backlight adjustment, and in general tweak the formatting. But, I realize that most are not like me, so iBooks and Kindle are a good fit. For me iBooks and Kindle are equal, just different.

The weakest to me at this point on the iPad is the Kobo app. It is still unstable, even after updates. If you just go in a read it works fine. But, if you switch books a few times, change menus....etc... it crashes after a few times.....

I have to give the nod to iBooks.

I also use the B&N reader app. It's great to have 3 easy options to choose from for price checking books.

Originally Posted by iPadster

I also use the B&N reader app. It's great to have 3 easy options to choose from for price checking books.

But have you really found that there is a difference in price. So far, every e-book I have looked for that is available in both iBooks and Amazon is the the same price.

More often, I find Amazon has the book and iBooks does not. I have not used the B&N reader.

My biggest problem is that I really don't want books scatter all over the iPad. I want to open 1 program and read them all. I don't have multiple music players, why should I need multiple book readers.

Oh yea, the stupid DRM!!!

Originally Posted by ChemoSabe

Oh yea, the stupid DRM!!!

While I don't have a better answer, what you are seeing is an industry that is hundreds of years old trying its best(?) to adapt its distribution methods to the 21st century.

And libraries are no better. Unfortunately Adobe got their foot in the door first with Adobe Digital Editions which is, of course, Flash based which furthermore means that the entire Apple family of products is technically locked out. Close to 4 million iPads have been sold to say nothing of the number of iPhones and iPod Touch units out there so the libraries have really shot themselves in the foot on this one.

While there is a way to "unwrap" Adobe's ADEPT (Adobe Digital Experience Protection Technology) from Adobe ePubs, it requires some degree of computer literacy to set it up. But once installed, it literally only takes seconds to perform this task... or so I am told!

Originally Posted by ChemoSabe

Originally Posted by iPadster

I also use the B&N reader app. It's great to have 3 easy options to choose from for price checking books.

But have you really found that there is a difference in price. So far, every e-book I have looked for that is available in both iBooks and Amazon is the the same price.

More often, I find Amazon has the book and iBooks does not. I have not used the B&N reader.

My biggest problem is that I really don't want books scatter all over the iPad. I want to open 1 program and read them all. I don't have multiple music players, why should I need multiple book readers.

Oh yea, the stupid DRM!!!

The main reason I use the B&N reader is because I still use my nook when I am outside. Also Amazon and B&N have more books then iBooks.