Idea: Instant book reviews

[Outlook]

Just trying to go through some ideas for a new online venture, feel free to give feedback.

 

When I am buying books (usually as a gift for someone) I often need to go through titles I never heard about. It's quite difficult to decide which one is good. It would be great if I can just take a picture of the cover with my mobile phone and it would instantly show me real time reviews from the readers (via Takealot or something).

 

Could also show prices in different stores too.

 

Users should also be able to review books on the platform that way I/We can build up our own database of reviews and become the Imdb of books.

[padjakkels]

Good idea, but do you know how many books are out there?

 

There are already lots of websites with reviews...think it will be a mission to get access to their reviews, because you will 'steal' visitors to their websites:

 

http://www.nybooks.com/

http://sydneyreviewofbooks.com/

 

Easy way would be to just google the name of the book + review?

[Bandit]

Google search: "site:Amazon.com [insert ISBN here]"

 

?

[Outlook]

Damn. Just when I thought I had a golden idea.

[PirateJack]

I like the idea. I want to scan a cover of a book and then the app must show me:

 

Rating #/10

Price in ZAR

Best 3 Reviews

[padjakkels]

Wonder if it will work if you do a image search on google with the book cover...

[padjakkels]

Wonder if it will work if you do a image search on google with the book cover...

 

Just did an image search and it seems to be working...one should then 'manipulate' the search results to get what you want...so it can be done

[PirateJack]

Tried it. It's not really convenient on mobile and does not give you a digest of info just a bunch of similar images.

[padjakkels]

Tried it. It's not really convenient on mobile and does not give you a digest of info just a bunch of similar images.

 

Okay, but if the app could do all this behind the scenes...and just give the results...then it could be cool

[PirateJack]

Tried it. It's not really convenient on mobile and does not give you a digest of info just a bunch of similar images.

 

Okay, but if the app could do all this behind the scenes...and just give the results...then it could be cool

 

exactly

[padjakkels]

Damn. Just when I thought I had a golden idea.

 

So Outlook, it can be done! How far are you with the app?

[padjakkels]

There already is an app for this:

 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goodreads&hl=en

https://itunes.apple.com/app/apple-store/id355833469?mt=8

 

Appname: Goodreads

Website: Goodreads.com

 

The first book that I tested did show up, front page and name of book. But there were no reviews for it.

 

Next book I looked up, had all the details:

 

• Number of pages
  
• Publishing date
  
• Description of book
  
• Similar books list
  
• Community reviews
  

Actually pretty need. Have not tested it on South African books.

[Señor]

Wonder if it will work if you do a image search on google with the book cover...

 

Yes, TinEye has been doing this (reverse image search) for a while as well and they have developer API's to build apps on top of their technology. I find their "WineEngine" quite interesting.