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Classics App Brings Stylish eBook Reading to iPhone

Thursday October 23, 2008 2:19 pm PDT by Arnold Kim
There's no shortage of ebook applications for the iPhone, with a tedious number of one-off individually packaged book applications found on the App Store.

A new eBook application called Classics takes it to the next level by incorporating a remarkably finished interface with custom bookcovers and 3d page-turning animations with the swipe of a finger:


The eBook application will be available for $2.99 in the App Store "soon", and includes 12 "classics" including Alice in Wonderland, Call of the Wild, 20000 Leagues Under the Sea and more. They also promise that the collection will keep growing with free software updates.

You can sign up to receive an email notification of its release at Classicsapp.com
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maplestar
Posted: 47 months ago
looks like an amazing app if they could only get more books.
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tom5304
Posted: 47 months ago
I'm using Stanza now, and it seems like an easier interface than Classics.

First, on the Classics web site they are only showing their app in portrait mode. Second, I'm pretty sure I'd prefer Stanza's method of page turning, which involves just touching the page margin, rather than swiping. With a relatively small screen and many pages turned, I'd rather touch than swipe.

Anyway, for $2.99 I might give Classics a try, but they'll have to offer some options like landscape mode and one-touch page turning.
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usasalazar
Posted: 47 months ago
Better to stick with Stanza - It is free and it is wayyy better.

I guess I like Stanza because it has a vast selection of titles to choose from and allows you to view magazines and newspapers.

I do think that competition is good for all apps but to pay $2.99 for a lesser amount of content seems silly. I understand that the interface is slicker and perhaps over time the price would be justified.
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phillryu
Posted: 47 months ago

I'm using Stanza now, and it seems like an easier interface than Classics.

First, on the Classics web site they are only showing their app in portrait mode. Second, I'm pretty sure I'd prefer Stanza's method of page turning, which involves just touching the page margin, rather than swiping. With a relatively small screen and many pages turned, I'd rather touch than swipe.

Anyway, for $2.99 I might give Classics a try, but they'll have to offer some options like landscape mode and one-touch page turning.


Our navigation controls are a combination of swipes or single taps on either side of the screen to go forward or back. The landscape mode, however, I can't promise for Classics. Let me know if you have any other questions though. :)
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impino26
Posted: 47 months ago
ive never heard of alice in winterland. is it a sequel to alice in wonderland? :D
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bluenoise
Posted: 47 months ago

ive never heard of alice in winterland. is it a sequel to alice in wonderland? :D

Yes...It's the one where Alice follows the rabbit down the bunny slope, not the rabbit hole.
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ThatWasAwkward
Posted: 47 months ago
Seriously, people. Stanza FTW.
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Kwill
Posted: 47 months ago
Half of what makes iPhone apps successful is the eye candy. The other half of the formula is usefulness. Think of how many times we have excitedly told someone: "I just downloaded this great app. Check it out!"

Whether it served a relatively mundane or limited purpose like Koi Pond, iBeer, Photoboard and Level or offered the utility of Shazam, Briefcase and Color Expert, they exhibit a similar WoW factor as Classics. Even if you personally prefer to use another eBook reader in private, this is the one you'll show off to people. :D
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tk421
Posted: 47 months ago
Personally, I think this app looks very nice. If the function matches Stanza's, I'd definitely be willing to pay $2.99 for the slicker presentation. The page turn is very cool, and it sounds like it would function with just a tap as well.

The one thing I see that's nice about Stanza that this app does not have is the large selection.

Better to stick with Stanza - It is free and it is wayyy better:D


Seriously, people. Stanza FTW.


Posts like this don't add much to the discussion. Why do you like Stanza, and how does that relate to this?
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maknik
Posted: 47 months ago
The nice thing about Stanza is that you can add your own books with the desktop app. The drawback is that this is a bit of a pain, especially getting the author and title correct. It would be nice if you could easily add your own books for "Classics," especially if it could use the title/author to get the cover off of Amazon, the way cataloging apps like Booxter do.
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