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Topic: Any word on an E-book app for the DSi?

Posts 1 to 20 of 21

MakeMyBiscuit

Hi all,

Taking a break from work here and I was thinking, with it's 2 big screens, wireless Wi Fi, SD Card Storage, touch screen and long battery life the DSi XL would be a perfect E-book machine.

Is there any word on if Nintendo is going to do this? It might be too much of a job for them to handle on their own seeing how many choice VC games have yet to come out for the Wii and DSi but if they partner with a company like Amazon.com they could make some serious money selling E-books.

MakeMyBiscuit

Bankai

There's 100 Classic Books available in Europe and Australia.

But the DSi XL is not that good as an e-reader at all. The screen resolution is terrible when compared to genuine e-reader contenders - the Kindle (especially) and to a lesser extent the iPhone/ iPad.

As someone who owned 100 Classic Books I can say it was a reasonable attempt, but ultimately the resolution meant I couldn't read for more than a couple of hours at a time. With the Kindle I can (and have) read all day.

jangonov

I agree, and I want to say I heard something of it, but nothing substantial. Right now, the closest is the "flips" series (which is not very close at all)
I wish they would make one though. I have a DSi and I hate not wanting to read certain books because they don't fit in my pocket (few do) and I don't want to buy a nook, kindle, sony e-book, or iphone to get them. If the DSi does not get it, perhaps the 3DS will?

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100 Classic Book Collection is coming to the US in January, just so you know.

Exactly.
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Oregano

There's been hints at it and I think it will be increased upon with the 3DS as an option, they might just support the file types and leave it at that.

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R-L-A-George

Closest to reality: DSiBook(Go ahead google it), I like the concept of this site, but its needs more books, if your a writer you can submit.

R-L-A-George

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OldBoy

I definitely think Nintendo is missing a trick with E-books.they'd sell loads I reckon.I don't think that the inferior display would bother most people and it would be a great thing to use on holiday where space is at a premium and for things like travel guides etc. Wouldn't use it myself as I will never give up real books,there is something special about them (the day books become download only is the day I stop reading ) but I think its a great idea.

What's this bit for again?

Bankai

Luigi78 wrote:

I definitely think Nintendo is missing a trick with E-books.they'd sell loads I reckon.I don't think that the inferior display would bother most people and it would be a great thing to use on holiday where space is at a premium and for things like travel guides etc. Wouldn't use it myself as I will never give up real books,there is something special about them (the day books become download only is the day I stop reading ) but I think its a great idea.

You realise the Kindle and iPad don't take up much physical space? and the iPhone is smaller than the DS?

I'm not saying it's bad that the DSi has some e-reader options, but people who are genuinely want a e-reader option are want something with a higher quality display, and better features for reading. You really have to see a kindle in action to understand why the quality is completely incomparable.

If you're not that into reading, 100 classic books will do you fine.

LzWinky

With 3DS around the corner, I doubt it

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R-L-A-George

I wonder why are they coming out with 3DS when they are still trying to per-fect DSi firmware, well it may not be the greatest idea to bring out 3DS so early unless they are planning to have a ton of updates in the very near future.

So I hope they decide to hold out longer so they can per-fect the 3DS and let people discover the possibilities of the DSi. Like, I know that a better browser can be produced. By a way less of a lazy company like Google or Mozillla, atleast they can probably put a effort in keeping it updated(I wouldn't mind if it cost $2), Opera shouldn't exist any more because they on the bottom of the industry and they make no effort.

R-L-A-George

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OldBoy

WaltzElf wrote:

You realise the Kindle and iPad don't take up much physical space? and the iPhone is smaller than the DS?

I do indeed.But they are also more expensive and there are less in circulation.So as I said ,I think that Nintendo are missing an untapped market.I take your point about the quality though.

What's this bit for again?

R-L-A-George

Luigi78 wrote:

WaltzElf wrote:

You realise the Kindle and iPad don't take up much physical space? and the iPhone is smaller than the DS?

I do indeed.But they are also more expensive and there are less in circulation.So as I said ,I think that Nintendo are missing an untapped market.I take your point about the quality though.

I agree with that statement.

R-L-A-George

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Bankai

Luigi78 wrote:

WaltzElf wrote:

You realise the Kindle and iPad don't take up much physical space? and the iPhone is smaller than the DS?

I do indeed.But they are also more expensive and there are less in circulation.So as I said ,I think that Nintendo are missing an untapped market.I take your point about the quality though.

They're really not. The number of people that are that crazy about books they would want an e-reader, and don't have a Kindle, iPhone etc, would be so small, I doubt a DSi E-reader would sell well at all.

The DSi's resolution is simply too low for that kind of application, and people know that. They'll either stick to paper books, or find justification to buy a proper e-reader.

100 classic books didn't exactly light up the sales figures in Europe and Australia.

OldBoy

@WaltzElf Ermm. I can't see why your so against the idea.Its not like it'd be a big gamble for Nintendo. They could even sell weekly magazines,anime etc. The fact that 100 CB didn't sell millions dosen't mean that there is no market for it. The collection was quite a dry selection of rather old books which I'm sure many DS owners have no interest in (not saying they are bad books BTW). If they released some more contempory fiction on there I'm sure people would download them.
Also you keep going on about the kindle but that dosen't play DS games now does it and they are expensive for what they do.Some people would rather have the whole package in one device even if it means its inferior to a dedicated stand alone device. Anyhow I just think they should give it a go, you don't .Whateva

What's this bit for again?

Bankai

Luigi78 wrote:

@WaltzElf Ermm. I can't see why your so against the idea.Its not like it'd be a big gamble for Nintendo. They could even sell weekly magazines,anime etc. The fact that 100 CB didn't sell millions dosen't mean that there is no market for it. The collection was quite a dry selection of rather old books which I'm sure many DS owners have no interest in (not saying they are bad books BTW). If they released some more contempory fiction on there I'm sure people would download them.
Also you keep going on about the kindle but that dosen't play DS games now does it and they are expensive for what they do.Some people would rather have the whole package in one device even if it means its inferior to a dedicated stand alone device. Anyhow I just think they should give it a go, you don't .Whateva

"Inferior" doesn't begin to describe how far the DS is inferior to the Kindle, other e-Readers, and even the iPhone. Have you used a dedicated e-reader? I doubt it, so you can't really claim that they're 'expensive for what you get' (in fact, the digital version of books is cheaper, so if you buy 40-50 books on the Kindle, it pays for itself), or that the DS is a reasonable alternative for the Kindle.

I'm sure the reason the DS hasn't had a e-reader app developed for it is because the folks at Nintendo have realised this.

And "Some people would rather have the whole package in one device even if it means its inferior to a dedicated stand-alone device?" I take it then that you don't own a DS, but an iPhone instead, because the iPhone has an e-reader app, plays games AND makes phones. That's 2/3 things it has over the DS.

In reality, of course, the DS is better at games than the iPhone, because it is essentially a stand-alone device. If someone said "I want to play games, do I buy a iPhone or DS?" Which do you suggest? The DS of course. Same with books. Kindle first, then iPad, iPhone, and finally DS. Being ranked 4th means it's a pointless application to write for the DS. Again, I'm sure Nintendo knows this.

OldBoy

"Some people would rather have the whole package in one device even if it means its inferior to a dedicated stand-alone device?" Doesn't necessarily mean me. I have a DS.That's all I need. As i said in a previous post I wouldn't use an E-book if you paid me, you can't replace real books IMO. It would be a cool little feature,that's all.As usual though, you seem to relish arguing something to the n th degree because it dosen't reflect your view.I think I've gotten your point now though.

Edited on by OldBoy

What's this bit for again?

Bankai

As usual though, you seem to relish arguing something to the n th degree because it dosen't reflect your view.I think I've gotten your point now though.

I often find I have to because people tend to make unsubstantiated claims. For instance, as someone who did once say "I would never use an e-reader" I would very much like to pay you to try a Kindle, since trying is believing, and no one who has used a Kindle in my experience is so quick to dismiss them.

SpentAllMyTokens

It would be a risk, seeing as they'd have to pay rights for newer books that aren't in the public domain like the 100 Classic books. I also don't think it would be that effective as an e-reader. If the 3DS has better resolution it could be a functional E-reader, but the DS just doesn't have the resolution to show enough text on the screen. I'd rather use my iphone (or a book, most don't take up THAT much space).

I am way too lazy to think of something clever.
My Backloggery

OldBoy

WaltzElf wrote:

I often find I have to because people tend to make unsubstantiated claims.

Uh, which unsubstantiated claim would that be then?
Do Kindle's smell like books,feel like books? For me my love of a book is not something tangible or easily replicated and as such no electronic device will replace that for me.I'm very gald your happy with yours but I won't be getting one anytime soon.
Although ...........this payment you mentioned.........

What's this bit for again?

theblackdragon

Luigi78 wrote:

WaltzElf wrote:

I often find I have to because people tend to make unsubstantiated claims.

Uh, which unsubstantiated claim would that be then?
Do Kindle's smell like books,feel like books? For me my love of a book is not something tangible or easily replicated and as such no electronic device will replace that for me.I'm very gald your happy with yours but I won't be getting one anytime soon.
Although ...........this payment you mentioned.........

i, too, will gladly take your money :3

that said, i don't see why they couldn't put a few of the better '100 classic books' up separately as DSiWare downloads. they wouldn't be paying royalties, and i've already got the DSi.

Edited on by theblackdragon

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