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Apple's new iBooks sure looks like Classics iPhone app
When Apple unveiled their new iBooks application during the launch of the much-anticipated and unfortunately named iPad tablet computer, many people noticed its similarity to the well-known Classics iPhone app. Classics [iTunes link], if you're not familiar with it, is an iPhone app that gives you access to read over a dozen public-domain books.
There are lots of ebook readers available for the iPhone, but where Classics sets itself apart is with an exquisite user interface that mimics the feeling of going to a bookshelf, getting a hardcover book, and paging through it. It's likely that the bookshelf metaphor in Classics was inspired by Delicious Library, a Mac app for cataloging books, media, and anything else you want to catalog.
But aside from the bookshelf, Classics presents the books on a slightly yellowed, paper-like background, and animates page turns with a satisfying swipe of the finger, and an audible riffling of paper.
Sounds pretty great, right?
Well, it appears Apple thought so too, since the description I just gave also perfectly describes Apple's new iBooks app for the iPad.
The fact that Apple did not -- at the very least -- acknowledge Classics in some small way is unfortunate.
The message they are sending independent developers is "Please write software for the App Store, but if we like what you do we're going to take it." This is yet another reason for developers to be wary of Apple's overly locked-down App Store.
Classics' developers Andrew Kaz and Phill Ryu have reduced the app's price to free in response to iBooks, reasoning that they would like as many people to see it as possible so they are aware that iBooks copied Classics, not the other way around.
Comments
18
Subscribe to commentsgeofftayJan 29th 2010 11:12AM
It's a bookshelf. Not exactly something to steal. That's like complaining that an OS has windows with buttons on the left or right top side to manipulate the windows. It's just logical design and layout. Classics borrowed such idea from Delicious Library. Did they acknowledge that? It doesn't matter.
AndreyJan 29th 2010 11:22AM
Jeez man, quick to defend your lord and savior, aren't you?
geofftayJan 29th 2010 11:34AM
Apple? Pssh. I'd like to have an iPad but if I ever do get one it won't be until 3rd gen. The iPad isn't the end all, be all device- at least, not yet. But it is the best tablet PC today, after Microsoft has been trying for nearly a decade. That's just sad. Microsoft has money, they have R&D... they have everything to do what they should be more than capable of and yet continue flop on so many levels. I don't understand it, except that maybe they have too many hands trying to stir the pot in their projects. Otherwise, I don't see any other reason why Microsoft never succeeds in developing superior products. Windows 7 is definitely a nice step, but it's just one among a giant load of crap.
So, what else could you have meant by your snippy, flaming comment? Had to guess for my reply... it didn't really deserve a response but you got one anyway.
AndreyJan 29th 2010 12:21PM
My snippy, flaming comment was meant as this:
Apple constantly walks all over anything and anyone that it wants, and when they do all of the Apple supporters are always saying how innovative and great apple is. Say one bad thing about Apple and you've got a bakers dozen of hell hounds after you.
iPad? It was already trademarked. They didn't care
Pre? What was so wrong with letting Palm sync with iTunes. As far as I see it they'd make a butt load of money from Pre users purchasing from iTunes (Don't get me wrong though, I'm NOT supporting how Palm reacted)
Mark my words. Apple will see that classics, stanza, kindle app all duplicate functionality and either pull them from the store, or keep the next release in limbo like the GV Mobile app. (what's your support of Apple there?)
AndreyJan 29th 2010 12:25PM
P.S.
Perhaps I should apologize for immediately assuming that you're an Apple crazed zombie fanboi, but I'm on Engadget a lot. I wasn't trying to flame you, it was just funny that the first post to the article was playing the article down by "It's just a bookshelf, who cares?", completely ignoring that the author speaks of the whole UI experience being the same.... not just the bookshelf. The sounds, the page turns, etc....
My Bad.
JamesJan 29th 2010 12:50PM
"The iPad isn't the end all, be all device- at least, not yet. But it is the best tablet PC today, after Microsoft has been trying for nearly a decade."
Are you crazy? The thing doesn't even run Mac OS X! How can you compare it to other tablets? How can you even classify this thing as a tablet?
Also, Microsoft has not ever tried to make a tablet. Toshiba, Sony, and HP do, however, and they are all much more capable machines than the elephant sized iPod Touch.
djangelicJan 29th 2010 6:41PM
and its unfair to say that Apple has a better tablet then HP or Toshiba. Each tablet has its own uses and applications. For example, if features were all you used to base that it is better than other tablets, then Apple would lose, HP tablets have keyboards, Cameras, and flash support. Dont get me wrong, I think the Ipad is nice, but honestly, its just a giant ipod...
DarkPrinceJan 29th 2010 11:28AM
Its should be pointed out that the whole animated "page turning" effect is also a feature of another great iphone ebook app , Stanza.
MikeJan 29th 2010 11:29AM
I think Jason's whole point is that fan boys are constantly screaming about other people copying the Apples interface and ideas. Then when Apple does it they become totally silent on the issue.
Danny BJan 29th 2010 11:36AM
... and then there's MediaMan which has been around for... ever? I love the program. The moment I saw Apple's Bookshelf screenshot, I just thought "It's definately MediaMan"
Yes, a bookshelf is a bookshelf.... but now days everyone is protective of their methods for displaying and the user interface for media, and this one isn't all that obvious.. I mean, why would you want to display your books on a virtual bookshelf, right? Regardless, MediaMan has an excellent interface and it seems they've been copied down to the color of the wood used on the shelves. Oh wait, not copied, more like "inspired" I suppose.
here's MediaMan: http://www.imediaman.com/
216Jan 29th 2010 11:54AM
From what I heard, the person who created the Classic's app actually works for apple now
Jason ClarkeJan 29th 2010 12:02PM
I tried to point out that it wasn't just the bookshelf metaphor that was copied from Classics, but the entire reading experience including the styling of the pages and the page turn effect. Taken one feature at a time, it's not a big deal, but the entire experience seems to mimic Classics very closely. I guess I didn't make that point clearly enough.
216 - That's quite interesting, if true. I'm quite sure Phill Ryu doesn't work for Apple, but do you have a link to point to that shows that Andrew Kaz is an Apple employee now?
quantaJan 29th 2010 12:03PM
Apple tends to buy out the appmaker - iTunes came from hiring the SoundJam MP team, and a similar acquisition occurred to obtain Coverflow - so it's surprising if Apple didn't buy out Delicious Library or Classics. There may be too much prior art, however.
Gerd KampJan 29th 2010 12:23PM
Apple did not buy Delicious Library but their designer. Mike Matas left Delicious Monster in 2005 and went to Apple. But it seems that he left Apple in July 2009.
astrotoysevenJan 29th 2010 2:22PM
whoa.....making your book collection look like its on a bookshelf......who would've thought of that!! These guys must be from NASA or somethin'
mobipocket reader has been doing the same for windows and mobile devices for years. Ive had it on my motion tablet pc since 2006, you dont see me flaunting it in a turtleneck and jeans
JoshJan 29th 2010 4:44PM
Apple apparently poached all of the Delicious employees, so I would lean more toward it being a Delicious-inspired app
jeffehobbsJan 29th 2010 6:35PM
Given that Classics -- while a fine app -- has content based solely around public domain books (other people's work!), this is an odd argument.
Also, I would argue they both stole the UI from Delicious Library.
radman1331Jan 30th 2010 4:24PM
There is a guitar hero clone for the ipod that is borderline copyright infringement. Even mimics the same play styles as using the accelerometer to mimic tilting the guitar.
Why not comment on the dozens of mp3 players and phones that use a similar GUI like the Iphone?
This isn't news, but a typical woe is me attack on closed source development.