Bookshelf Reviews – Page 7
5/5 rating based on 257 reviews. Read all reviews for Bookshelf for iPhone.
Bookshelf is free iOS app published by Vital Source Technologies, Inc.
Won’t use Siri voice.
DCoop88
I have this on my android phone, iPad, and windows computer, but none of them let you use the actual Siri or cortana voice. I truly wish my college would use a different program. It has gotten annoying enough I now spend $100 each year to hear more realistic voices.
Useful, room for improvement
spaceykasey247
I have been using this app for probably like almost 10 years at this point. It used to be called “CourseSmart” and there were several things I really liked about CourseSmart that VitalSource did away with following their purchase of CourseSmart. One of these was the on screen “ruler” that provided a sliding (up and down) straight edge to underline the line you were reading. I loved this because it helped me keep my place! Other than that, I have been able to find every single textbook I’ve ever wanted to purchase or rent in their store, both as CourseSmart and as VitalSource, and usually for a cheaper price than others. I like the mobility and the flash card features. What I’d like to see is some integration for the notes with an app like Notability or GoodNotes. When you jot something down or make note of something in your Psych 101 textbook, I’d like to be able to link those or send a copy of them (in order of entry with a page number attached) straight to my digital textbook for Psych 101 without any copying or pasting necessary. I’d like them to bring back the ruler feature as well. GoodNotes has a feature that works with a stylus or apple pencil, where if you are just reading or maybe presenting, and you place the nib against the screen, a laser pointer appears where the nib touches. I also like this feature for reading if the ruler is not available to help you follow along without having to use your finger (which you can’t do in the app because you would cause the page itself to move). And most importantly, I’d like for them to have a professional reader record the audio for the textbooks. Having eye problems shouldn’t make you want to puncture your eardrums when you are forced to have an unpleasant computer voice read aloud, and include all the footnotes and bibliographical information.
Lose your place easily
Erok5217
As I’m scrolling while reading, if i slightly move my thumb the wrong way, the chapter will change completely. When i move back to the chapter in working in, ill have to scroll to find where i was working. Very inefficient to be working with an app to make most of my time management if im spending a chunk of my time trying to search for my place. Please change this to where itll remember where we were or allow us the option to disable swiping to the left or right to change chapters.
Your terrible
Ad4m_2002
You charged me for an ebook I already paid for last semester and you will not take accountability for your mistake. You will not communicate at all through your support line, emails, or complaint submissions to your surveys. I tell others what is happening and although I have used you for the past two plus years, I will not use you again. I hope this helps you do better and consider your ethics.
Didn’t even know this app existed
Terry Benson
I was accessing my books from the vital source website. My law school journey has been slightly better since I have found this app.
No Pencil Support = Horrible App
E Scientia
I would love to give this app a higher rating but the fact that it does not allow me to mark up my own books with my Apple Pencil is ridiculous.
Swipe Functionality Needs Improvement
E-Baus
If you accidentally move your finger the wrong way, Bookshelf will move you to the next chapter. Not only that, it erases your previous chapter position. Reading through long and complicated books decreases the UX and makes it a nightmare to scroll through and find your previous position (and there’s added time loss from trying to remember where you left off). I can appreciate fast page turns, but seriously consider adding some memory marker for where we last flipped from.
Having issues with navigation
Catfaulk
I typically LOVE the app and e-text. I have been having issues with the navigation with in the iPad app. I click on the page in the index and it takes me to another page. Or if I enter the Page # where I want to go, takes me to another page. I have reported this to IT with no resolution except the usually, uninstall, reinstall, restart, bla bla. I did all that and it is still not resolved.
Slow and annoying
Tim Bungis
I want to be able to show multiple pages side by side. Switching pages is also really slow and sometimes the program freezes up completely.