Amazon Kindle for iPhone app

In the world of e-reader reviews, there is a small but ardent minority that takes every opportunity to question the basic need for dedicated e-reader devices. Most of these contrarians point to their iPhone as a perfectly adequate ebook reader. With a color display, Internet connectivity and a plethora of additional features, the iPhone clearly beats out current e-reader offerings on versatility. Amazon's Kindle for iPhone app comes out on top with its latest iteration, which is praised by users and experts alike. With the ability to access the enormous Amazon.com ebook store and sync with Kindle 2, Kindle for iPhone offers a range of ebook access that owners say is unmatched by other ebook reading apps. Further, developers seem to be responsive to user feedback on the application; past complaints about the lack of a zoom function and landscape reading mode resulted in those features being added as an update. Kindle for iPhone's most popular competitor, Stanza (Free), was recently acquired by Amazon.com, so its future is a little uncertain.

When it comes to pitting the Apple iPhone against dedicated e-readers, Steven Shands at The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) does the best job of comparing each device's strengths and weaknesses. TUAW also does a nice round-up of eight e-reader apps for the iPhone, and CNET compares the iPhone app with the Kindle 2. In terms of determining which of the many iPhone e-reader applications is the best, the hands down ultimate review source is found at Apple's iTunes Store, where tens of thousands of owners contribute their experiences and opinions in narrative and ratings form.