How to read PDF’s on your iPod Touch
Before, I talked about how you can read eBook’s on your iPod Touch with Stanza. This includes text-based PDF’s. You would notice however, that Stanza cannot support image-based PDF’s which is commonly used for digital magazines.
To read PDF magazines on your iPod Touch, you need a different app. A FREE app that could read PDF’s is Discover. Just like Stanza, your desktop and iPod Touch should also be on a wireless network.
With Discover though, you don’t need any desktop client. Your file explorer or internet browser can communicate with your iPod Touch to upload or download files.
There’s still a current limitation with Discover. It seems that bigger PDF’s (more than 20MB) is more likely to crash the app. I think it has something to do with the memory of the device.
Follow these easy steps to start reading PDF’s on your iPod Touch/iPhone:
1. Make sure that your device is connected to your wireless network.
2. Start Discover and take note of the IP address given to you. Click the green circle if it doesn’t appear.
3. On your desktop, open your browser and go to that IP address. In my case, it’s http://192.168.0.148:8888. Your browser should load Discover’s File Management page.
Here you can upload, download or delete files. You can also create and manage your folders.
4. Select a folder where you want to upload your PDF file. I’m going to select Public.
5. Click the Add Files and select the file/s you want to put in your device.
6. When done, click Upload All and wait for the upload to finish.
If you have multiple iPod Touch / iPhone in the same network, you can also share files between devices.
7. Head back to your iPod Touch to check your PDF.
And enjoy your PDF… if it doesn’t crash on you that is.
There are still some flaw with Discover as you would experience the occasional crashing. It just means that the PDF is too big or poorly made. Let’s just wait for an update from them or until a more stable PDF viewer becomes available.
You can check Discover’s forum for known issues and possible support if you’re experiencing any problems.
You might also be interested in:
- How to read eBooks on your iPod Touch
- How to read comics on your iPod Touch
- How to distinguish an iPod Touch 2G from an iPod Touch 3G
- Moshi iGlaze touch G4 casing for iPod Touch 4G review
Filed under: iPod Touch and iPad
I actually bought my iPod touch 10% because of you man. As soon as I saw that I could read stuff in it I was like:
“Ohp! Gotta have it!”
Cool… you should’ve wait for the new ipod touch though. it’s quite a big improvement from the old model. stanza is another free app that can read PDF (and other e-books) by the way.
calvin, a new app called: PDF Reader Lite is AWESOME! wayy better than this, please check it out and spread the word! this app got nothing on the new app. i just downloaded it and i can even read powerpoints! download pdfs directly from safari browser, etc! and best: it’s free!
thanks. right now im using goodreader which is a 99 cents app that also do the same thing. gonna check that PDF Reader lite out.
Do you need the internet whenever you want to read the PDF?
Nope. it’s already saved on your ipod.
Thanks mate, fab app!