Matt, is this a kindle version of the book or is it an app (given that you say trial version)?
Niels
Hi Niels
It's the kindle book version. On amazon you can download the intro sections plus the swans plate as a sample.
I've bought the full version and, although I haven't reviewed all of it, I'm impressed with what I have seen so far.
There are a few things worth mentioning:
(1) There is a slight reduction in image quality compared to the printed version (at least on my non-retina screen models) but it doesn't make any practical difference.
(2) When the plates are 'double tapped' they are still the same relative size as in the book so the 1/2 or 2/3 plates are also this size as images. I don't know whether it was pratical but it would have been nice to have these go to full screen images when tapped. However, you can zoom in and the quality is good.
(3) Navigation from the contents page is instantaneous but takes you to the start of the 'species group' accounts. This is how the contents works in the print version so I guess this is understandable. But, especially on a phone, it means you may have to swipe through pages of text before you get to the species account you want. In my view it would have been better to have put in a sub-menu either at the contents page, or 'jump to' menu at the start of the 'species group' accounts.
(4) There's the occasional typo caused by the conversion process, such as capitalisation after some apostrophes (eg Leach'S and Wilson'S Petrels).
Overall, highly recommended.
It would be great to a kindle version of the Collins guide and I would have thought that Duivendijk's Advanced ID Guide would be an easy conversion job (no plates). Ebook would be a better format for this than print. I even emailed Duivendijk's publishers suggesting this months ago (no reply).
I notice that Howell & Lewington's Rare Birds in N America is also out on kindle. The sample, unfortunately, doesn't include any of the species plates, but it's very tempting.
Matt