Business Standard brings you the most popular six eBook
apps and what makes them tick
An
increasing number of people are taking to eBooks for
their daily dose of reading. Reading apps for
smartphones and tablets have made it possible to carry entire libraries in
one's pocket. For bibliophiles, this means one can snatch a glance at one’s
current read wherever, whenever one feels like, without the compulsion to buy a
dedicated eBook reader.
Having said
that, with the rapid proliferation of reading apps supporting a plethora of
digital book formats, how do you know which app is best suited for your needs?
Here are six popular free e-book readers for your smartphone/tablet, and why you should use them:
Aldiko
This app
supports a variety of formats, including Adobe digital rights management
(DRM)-encrypted eBooks, which is useful if you've signed up for sites which
share advanced proofs of books. It connects to Dropbox, which means even when
installed across devices, all your books stay in one place. Aldiko offers
a clean customisable interface, and lets you sort your collection by easy tags.
The multiple book stores available are a welcome bonus.
Kobo
Integrated
with services from Canada-based Kobo, this reader app has quite a few unique
features. Its ‘Reading Life’ tracks your reading statistics. There are badges
for completing books, reading for long stretches and consecutive late-night
reads. There is also the ability to comment on books and share memorable
quotes, notes and dialogues across social media platforms, as you read.
Kindle
Available
across major platforms, Amazon’s Kindle app
is fast and user-friendly. If you already have an Amazon account and have ever
used a Kindle reader, one needs to just sign in. The app will sync your
library, last page read, bookmarks, highlights, and notes between devices and
platforms. Also, the new Kindle Unlimited programme gives you access to
thousands of audiobooks and e-books for a monthly fee. However, its features
remain fairly standard.
Nook
Barnes and
Nobles’ offering is notable for two features: A brilliant page turn animation
and a massive collection of more than 4 million paid and free eBooks,
magazines, comics, and other publications. The customisable settings are pretty
standard, with options for syncing your preferences across devices and
platforms. The Android version
has received an interface refresh recently.
BitLit
BitLit is
new, but has created ripples for its unique ability to help you digitise your
actual book collection. Simply scan and upload a book’s cover and BitLit helps
you find a free-to-download eBook version of it. The idea is innovative and
cuts down on digitisation costs. However, with the app in its early stages of
development, the user can encounter a few minor glitches.
Rockstand
Rockstand caught
our attention for its impressive all-round performance. A simple interface,
cross-device syncing, multi-platform availability, a strong anti-piracy policy,
a social reading network which lets users invite friends, share books and
reading lists, and swap notes and feedback — Rockstand attempts to capture the
best of the top reading apps. Additionally, its strikes a chord with the Indian
audience, with its collection of texts in regional languages as well as a
variety of educational guides, question papers and preparation material for
major Indian government examinations. The app suffers a few lags though. But
overall it is sure to impress the Indian smartphone user.
All the six
apps are available on Android, iOS and Windows platforms.
Source | Business
Standard (New Delhi
July 7, 2015 Last Updated at 14:36 IST)
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