Electron Sorter

Inkling for iPad: eTextbook Reading Done Right

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 23:26:49 GMT

An exciting new iPad app called Inkling has recently come to the App Store. Inkling is a beautiful textbook reader with a built-in bookstore. It’s simple to search, annotate content, and browse by chapter and section. You can even subscribe to friends’ annotations and see them alongside your own! Best of all, the interaction is fluid and perfectly suited for the iPad. The end-to-end user experience has been meticulously thought through – the whole app reeks of attention to detail. Something that Inkling does uniquely well is page navigation – ironically, by getting rid of pages altogether. There’s been a lot of discussion and experimentation on how best to build interactions for reading long-form texts on a touch device. So far, I haven’t been too happy with any of them. For example, let’s look at how the most popular book reader on the iPad approaches this problem.

iBooks
Despite its billing as a revolutionary device, Apple’s book reader for iPad is endearingly anachronistic. Pages turn exquisitely with a swipe. Text rests on a background that looks just like pages of an open book. iBooks was designed to ease the transition from reading printed to electronic books, and there are good reasons to do that. But, the trouble with rendering text on virtual pages is that the pages themselves are meaningless. Increase the font size and the text reflows to create many more of them. This is not just an academic objection. There is information in the fixed placement of text on a printed page. When we read it, we form subconscious spatial relationships between passages and their locations on a page. I’ve often been able to find a word I had read but couldn’t remember just by scanning a spot on the pages as I flip though them. This is even easier with textbooks because the section headings and images serve as visual landmarks.

When you change fonts or resize the text, words reflow across pages.

So, is there a way of navigating digital text that encourages spacial memory and fully embraces the iPad’s affordances, all without packing any unnecessary skeuomorphic baggage? Yes, and Inkling has done it for textbooks.

Inkling
When you open a textbook in Inkling, you see a table of contents where chapters are arranged left-to-right in a scrollable view, with sections headers below each chapter.

Chapters are arranged horizontally and sections vertically. Tapping a section takes you to it.

You read chapters from top to bottom, swiping vertically to scroll down as you go, a habit that’s second nature to any iPad user. The chapters’ contents are divided logically into sections, and visually into what Inkling calls cards. Cards can be of any length and are arranged vertically, so that when you scroll past the bottom of one card, the next one pops up.

To keep track of your position within the chapter, a little white dot on the left moves along a series of tracks whose length represents the length of each card. At a glance, you can tell how far into a section (and chapter) you’ve read. When you move between sections, the white dot jumps tracks to follow you. Brilliant!

A little white dot on the left shows your position within the current section and chapter.

What I love most about this implementation is that it’s an extension of Apple’s own screen position indicator, used throughout iOS (and elsewhere). In Apple’s version, the gray dots indicate all of the available home screens you can swipe to and the white dot is the screen you’re currently looking at.

iPad home screen. Gray dots indicate the number of home screen. The white dot is the screen you’re currently on.

In essence, Inking extrudes the gray dots into bars to represent the length of the cards. I hope someone writes an open source library of this position indicator. It’s just too good an idea not to be shared.

The total effect of this kind of book layout is that it does away with pages altogether. That’s right, a book without pages. And who needs them? In a digital environment, where you’re free to resize and reflow text, pages are a meaningless metaphor. Worse, they lie by implying affordances we’re familiar with in printed books, when they don’t exist. With Inkling’s cards, on the other hand, resizing text doesn’t change their number or relative size. They promise exactly what they deliver: an inspired reading experience invented for a tablet.

RT @cdewsnip: Anyone know of a kick-ass UX project manager, avail to start Mon (or thereabouts) for a 10 week contract? Exciting, complex project. Pls RT

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:37:18 GMT

RT @cdewsnip: Anyone know of a kick-ass UX project manager, avail to start Mon (or thereabouts) for a 10 week contract? Exciting, complex project. Pls RT

Already on week three of my new job at @BlinkUX and so much has been done, yet there is still a lot to do. #UX

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:38:44 GMT

Already on week three of my new job at @BlinkUX and so much has been done, yet there is still a lot to do. #UX

RT @AndrewCrow: For those who saw my talk at UX Week, continue that discussion with this great article for in-house design teams. http://bit.ly/8ZbVdg

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:16:27 GMT

RT @AndrewCrow: For those who saw my talk at UX Week, continue that discussion with this great article for in-house design teams. http://bit.ly/8ZbVdg

RT @DavidJKelley: a new week of building cool ux... hope it goes well.

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:48:37 GMT

RT @DavidJKelley: a new week of building cool ux... hope it goes well.

RT @cdewsnip: Anyone know of a kick-ass UX project manager, avail to start Mon (or thereabouts) for a 10 week contract? Exciting, complex project. Pls RT

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:47:52 GMT

RT @cdewsnip: Anyone know of a kick-ass UX project manager, avail to start Mon (or thereabouts) for a 10 week contract? Exciting, complex project. Pls RT

a new week of building cool ux... hope it goes well.

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:20:12 GMT

a new week of building cool ux... hope it goes well.

UX Tue: Color Psychology. Thanks @KISSmetrics, this will be used in a client meeting this week. http://ow.ly/2zS2G

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 13:05:05 GMT

UX Tue: Color Psychology. Thanks @KISSmetrics, this will be used in a client meeting this week. http://ow.ly/2zS2G

RT @cdewsnip: Anyone know of a kick-ass UX project manager, avail to start Mon for a 10 week contract? Exciting, complex project.

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:20:54 GMT

RT @cdewsnip: Anyone know of a kick-ass UX project manager, avail to start Mon for a 10 week contract? Exciting, complex project.

RT @cdewsnip: Anyone know of a kick-ass UX project manager, avail to start Mon (or thereabouts) for a 10 week contract? Exciting, complex project. Pls RT

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 09:55:00 GMT

RT @cdewsnip: Anyone know of a kick-ass UX project manager, avail to start Mon (or thereabouts) for a 10 week contract? Exciting, complex project. Pls RT

RT @cdewsnip: Anyone know of a kick-ass UX project manager, avail to start Mon for a 10 week contract? Exciting, complex project.

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 09:26:48 GMT

RT @cdewsnip: Anyone know of a kick-ass UX project manager, avail to start Mon for a 10 week contract? Exciting, complex project.

RT @cdewsnip: Anyone know of a kick-ass UX project manager, avail to start Mon (or thereabouts) for a 10 week contract? Exciting, complex project. Pls RT

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 09:21:09 GMT

RT @cdewsnip: Anyone know of a kick-ass UX project manager, avail to start Mon (or thereabouts) for a 10 week contract? Exciting, complex project. Pls RT

RT @cdewsnip: Anyone know of a kick-ass UX project manager, avail to start Mon (or thereabouts) for a 10 week contract? Exciting, complex project. Pls RT

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 09:19:51 GMT

RT @cdewsnip: Anyone know of a kick-ass UX project manager, avail to start Mon (or thereabouts) for a 10 week contract? Exciting, complex project. Pls RT

RT @cdewsnip: Anyone know of a kick-ass UX project manager, avail to start Mon (or thereabouts) for a 10 week contract? Exciting, complex project. Pls RT

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 09:19:31 GMT

RT @cdewsnip: Anyone know of a kick-ass UX project manager, avail to start Mon (or thereabouts) for a 10 week contract? Exciting, complex project. Pls RT

RT @cdewsnip: Anyone know of a kick-ass UX project manager, to start Mon (or thereabouts) for a 10 week contract? Exciting, complex project.

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 09:17:10 GMT

RT @cdewsnip: Anyone know of a kick-ass UX project manager, to start Mon (or thereabouts) for a 10 week contract? Exciting, complex project.

RT @cdewsnip: Anyone know of a kick-ass UX project manager, avail to start Mon (or thereabouts) for a 10 week contract? Exciting, complex project. Pls RT

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 09:15:31 GMT

RT @cdewsnip: Anyone know of a kick-ass UX project manager, avail to start Mon (or thereabouts) for a 10 week contract? Exciting, complex project. Pls RT

RT @cdewsnip: Anyone know of a kick-ass UX project manager, avail to start Mon (or thereabouts) for a 10 week contract? Exciting, complex project. Pls RT

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 09:12:22 GMT

RT @cdewsnip: Anyone know of a kick-ass UX project manager, avail to start Mon (or thereabouts) for a 10 week contract? Exciting, complex project. Pls RT

RT @cdewsnip: Anyone know of a kick-ass UX project manager, avail to start Mon (or thereabouts) for a 10 week contract? Exciting, complex project. Pls RT

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 09:08:37 GMT

RT @cdewsnip: Anyone know of a kick-ass UX project manager, avail to start Mon (or thereabouts) for a 10 week contract? Exciting, complex project. Pls RT

RT @cdewsnip: Anyone know of a kick-ass UX project manager, avail to start Mon for a 10 week contract? Exciting, complex project. Pls RT

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 09:01:58 GMT

RT @cdewsnip: Anyone know of a kick-ass UX project manager, avail to start Mon for a 10 week contract? Exciting, complex project. Pls RT

Anyone know of a kick-ass UX project manager, avail to start Mon (or thereabouts) for a 10 week contract? Exciting, complex project. Pls RT

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 09:00:54 GMT

Anyone know of a kick-ass UX project manager, avail to start Mon (or thereabouts) for a 10 week contract? Exciting, complex project. Pls RT

2 rustige daagjes nu, naja rustig ;) Donderdag dan UX cocktailhour. Vrijdag Sushi tweetup. Zaterdag moving. Zondag fotoshoot Love this week.

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 07:14:10 GMT

2 rustige daagjes nu, naja rustig ;) Donderdag dan UX cocktailhour. Vrijdag Sushi tweetup. Zaterdag moving. Zondag fotoshoot Love this week.

@adactio (we met in Frankfurt many moons ago), I'd like to introduce @missmoss who is in Brighton next week @ux #twintro

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 06:18:07 GMT

@adactio (we met in Frankfurt many moons ago), I'd like to introduce @missmoss who is in Brighton next week @ux #twintro

RT @AndrewCrow: For those who saw my talk at UX Week, continue that discussion with this great article for in-house design teams. http://bit.ly/8ZbVdg

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 05:59:04 GMT

RT @AndrewCrow: For those who saw my talk at UX Week, continue that discussion with this great article for in-house design teams. http://bit.ly/8ZbVdg

RT @AndrewCrow: For those who saw my talk at UX Week, continue that discussion with this great article for in-house design teams. http://bit.ly/8ZbVdg

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 04:58:26 GMT

RT @AndrewCrow: For those who saw my talk at UX Week, continue that discussion with this great article for in-house design teams. http://bit.ly/8ZbVdg

For those who saw my talk at UX Week, continue that discussion with this great article for in-house design teams. http://bit.ly/8ZbVdg

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 04:49:26 GMT

For those who saw my talk at UX Week, continue that discussion with this great article for in-house design teams. http://bit.ly/8ZbVdg

UX Week 2010 - Video: http://bit.ly/ccLZAj #ux

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 21:11:30 GMT

UX Week 2010 - Video: http://bit.ly/ccLZAj #ux

Check out Inntrykk fra UX Week San Franscico 2010 on Meetup http://meetup.com/u/1FmF

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 20:49:23 GMT

Check out Inntrykk fra UX Week San Franscico 2010 on Meetup http://meetup.com/u/1FmF

@jasonbuck You're welcome :) Found a ux job for next week yet?

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 19:41:02 GMT

@jasonbuck You're welcome :) Found a ux job for next week yet?

hopes the BarCamp digital grid 'discussion' won't turn into this week's Ryan Carson vs. UX. #whycantwealljustgetalong

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:22:15 GMT

hopes the BarCamp digital grid 'discussion' won't turn into this week's Ryan Carson vs. UX. #whycantwealljustgetalong

RT @jasonbuck: Would like a #UX gig for next week please (South West / South coast UK, preferably).

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 12:26:40 GMT

RT @jasonbuck: Would like a #UX gig for next week please (South West / South coast UK, preferably).

@jzy i unfollowed a woman this week because she said my avatar was CREEPY... silly perpetual laughing woman (was actually a UX specialist)

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 12:07:08 GMT

@jzy i unfollowed a woman this week because she said my avatar was CREEPY... silly perpetual laughing woman (was actually a UX specialist)

There's been a bit of a furore over @ryancarson's 'UX is a bullshit job title' last week. Here's @andybudd's response: http://bit.ly/9raunB

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 11:00:00 GMT

There's been a bit of a furore over @ryancarson's 'UX is a bullshit job title' last week. Here's @andybudd's response: http://bit.ly/9raunB

RT @uxbookclubcdf: Don't forget to reserve your place at this week's UX Book Club: http://www.meetup.com/Cardiff-UX-Bookclub/ @malarkey will be there!

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 10:49:47 GMT

RT @uxbookclubcdf: Don't forget to reserve your place at this week's UX Book Club: http://www.meetup.com/Cardiff-UX-Bookclub/ @malarkey will be there!

Don't forget to reserve your place at this week's UX Book Club: http://www.meetup.com/Cardiff-UX-Bookclub/ @malarkey will be there!

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 10:49:40 GMT

Don't forget to reserve your place at this week's UX Book Club: http://www.meetup.com/Cardiff-UX-Bookclub/ @malarkey will be there!

Don't forget to reserve your place at this week's UX Book Club: http://www.meetup.com/Cardiff-UX-Bookclub/ @malarkey will be there!

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 10:49:01 GMT

Don't forget to reserve your place at this week's UX Book Club: http://www.meetup.com/Cardiff-UX-Bookclub/ @malarkey will be there!

Would like a #UX gig for next week please (South West / South coast UK, preferably).

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 09:19:19 GMT

Would like a #UX gig for next week please (South West / South coast UK, preferably).

@jiepang shortened its header height last week but still failed to address big UX issues, e.g. location permission ask every f* single time!

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 05:33:09 GMT

@jiepang shortened its header height last week but still failed to address big UX issues, e.g. location permission ask every f* single time!

RT @destraynor: Nice post by @andybudd on the whole "UX Designer is a bullshit job title" issue last week. http://icanhaz.com/ux-professionals

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 20:47:29 GMT

RT @destraynor: Nice post by @andybudd on the whole "UX Designer is a bullshit job title" issue last week. http://icanhaz.com/ux-professionals

Nice post by @andybudd on the whole "UX Designer is a bullshit job title" issue last week. http://icanhaz.com/ux-professionals

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 19:55:38 GMT

Nice post by @andybudd on the whole "UX Designer is a bullshit job title" issue last week. http://icanhaz.com/ux-professionals

RT @lauw010 Put 'hot triggers' in place to Design for Behavior Change: BJ Fogg's UX Week workshop http://j.mp/9r5yuR: http://bit.ly/c0OubR

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 21:52:00 GMT

RT @lauw010 Put 'hot triggers' in place to Design for Behavior Change: BJ Fogg's UX Week workshop http://j.mp/9r5yuR: http://bit.ly/c0OubR