Since Amazon introduced its Kindle device, the whole World has gone eBook crazy. Trains are now full of commuters gazing at digital displays rather than thumbing through paperbacks.
If you haven't got a Kindle and want to know what all the fuss is about - or if you have a Kindle and want to enjoy the books you've already purchased for it on your iPhone - then install the free Kindle for iPhone app.
Kindle for iPhone lets you read Kindle eBooks on your phone, through a simple interface that makes viewing pages a pleasure. First and foremost though, you need to have a copy of the eBook to read in the software. You can do this by buying them from Amazon using the link within the app, downloading a trial chapter, or grabbing one of the Kindle books you already own (these are automatically backed up by Amazon).
Once your eBook is installed on Kindle for iPhone simply tap on it to start reading. To flick through the pages you just need to swipe your finger left or right. Tap the screen and you'll get a bunch of other options that can enhance your reading pleasure. For instance, you can add bookmarks, change the font size, and alter the color of the text. The 'Go to' icon here aids navigation by allowing you to jump to the cover, the table of contents, the beginning or to a specific location or bookmark.
Just like the real Kindle device, Kindle for iPhone lets you add annotations and highlights to your books. To do this, you just need to hold your finger down on a word then choose 'Note' or 'Highlight'. Unfortunately, you can't select a whole phrase, so you're only able to annotate single words.
Although the Kindle for iPhone interface is nice and simple, I was really hankering after a pinch feature for quickly zooming in on text. You can do it with images, so I find it strange the developer couldn't add the same function for writing.
It's not quite as advanced as the Amazon device itself, but Kindle for iPhone is, nevertheless, a great way to enjoy eBooks on your Apple phone.
