“the world’s mine oyster”
So goes the famous quote from Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor and now a defining namesake in the literary world with the release of a new e-book sharing app, Oyster.
Unofficially dubbed the Netflix for e-books, Oyster allows subscribed users unlimited access to a virtual library of over 100,000 (and growing) titles at a monthly fee of $9.95. Currently, the Oyster app is only available in the US for users on iPhone and iPod Touch but there are plans for being available internationally and a Fall release on iPads as well. To start using the service, you must request an invite on the website. I requested an invite about a week ago and received a formal invitation and personal access link yesterday.
There are no formal plans for developing on other platforms but the website states that with growth, this could be a possibility. The exclusivity to iPhones is a huge bummer since I just switched from an iPhone to an Android (gasp, I know, the hypocrisy!) after I requested the invite but I’m hoping Oyster will come to other platforms soon.
“We created Oyster to evolve the way people read and to create more of the special moments that only books can offer. From anywhere a mobile device can go—a bustling subway car, a quiet coffee shop, or lost at sea with a Bengal tiger—our mission is to build the best reading experience, one that is both communal and personal, anytime, anywhere.”
What do you think about this app? Are you signing up to use Oyster? Let me know if you’ve tried it!
All images from the Oyster website. Check out the Oyster blog for reading inspiration, book recommendations and more.
