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I first reviewed GoodReader when I first purchase this app about 1 and a half years ago. [Review here >>]

Back then GoodReader is the most cost effective, fast PDF reader on the iPod Touch or iPhone at USD99 cents.

I thought that there will be many competitors that can come up with a competitive product. Turns out there were many, but great apps stand the test of time. What are the main reason?

Good Apps like GoodReader always tries to improve, even though they might not be comprehensive initially.

Today, Good Reader, is the most used app on the App Store on the iPhone and also on the iPAD.

In fact, the latest version got really great on the GoodReader, so much so that I can really load up all my PDF documents, books, references on the iPAD and read it.

Major update introducing major new feature – PDF Annotations, including notes, highlights, markups and drawings:

  • all annotations that you create or edit in GoodReader – notes, highlights, markups, and drawings >- are saved in a PDF file, so you will be able to see them later on a computer or in another copy of GoodReader on your colleague’s device
  • all notes, highlights, markups, and drawings created outside GoodReader, and properly stored in a PDF file, can be viewed or edited in GoodReader
  • types of annotations that you can create and edit in GoodReader: comments (“sticky notes”) with 7 different icons, text highlights, freehand drawings, lines, arrows, rectangles, ovals, text underlines, text deletion marks (strikeouts), text insertion marks, text replacement marks. You can freely adjust color of all of the above.
  • other types of annotations that you can view in GoodReader: text boxes with callouts, polygons and polylines, squiggly underlines, cloudy shapes, rubber stamps, file attachments. All annotations that can be viewed, can also be deleted. In addition, some of them can be edited in a limited fashion (color, placement, scale).

  • you can now extract files from PDF file attachments

  • two main gestures that you should use to work with annotations – single tap, and “tap & hold”. Depending on where you tap (on a text, on an existing annotation, or on a free space on a page), different menus will be presented to you.

Other important improvements and new features:

  • now you can select text directly on a PDF page. Tap on a text and hold your finger for a while. You can then copy it to the clipboard, or create markups for it (highlights, underlines, strikeouts, etc.)
  • certain not very large files were known to consistently crash GoodReader (as well as other PDF reader apps) for no apparent reason. This was the issue with iOS 3.x. We have resolved this issue. It shouldn’t be a problem now, even if you’re still on iOS 3.x (this one is for you, Linux Journal readers :-)
  • now we can hide PDF watermarks (adjustable option in settings) -> certain button images in place of PDF links that were not shown before, are now shown correctly

And some other nice things:

  • you can now choose which minimum zoom ratio you prefer for PDF pages – “fit to screen” or “fit to width” (an option in settings)
  • we have lifted the limitation for a size of files being extracted from PDF Portfolios. Now we’re able to extract files of any size. Just make sure that you have enough of free disk space!
  • now when you copy a file to the same location as the original, a copy is created. Very handy if you want to annotate a PDF file, but also want to leave the original file unchanged.
  • a workaround for the issue when WiFi was conflicting with Bluetooth (slow WiFi connection, occasional WiFi signal drops when Bluetooth switch is on, etc.) was finally found. Now there should be no conflict between WiFi and Bluetooth when working in GoodReader.

No Equivalent Android APP

What is the significance of this? I have my Android Desire for some time, and of all the PDF Apps that I come across, I haven’t encounter one that can be equivalent to GoodReader in terms of speed, ease of reading and price.

Android Marketplace have been around for some time yet we haven’t have a viable PDF reader is disappointing. Why is it a platform that aims to be a portable all-in-on whatever you want it to be not encourage developers to come up with something every office workers would have come across.

Now a lot of people are evaluating whether to get an Android tablet like a Galaxy Tab or Dell Streak, but if you ask me what good is it on a 7 inch to 10 inch device when you don’t have an adequate app to read PDF documents.

You are better off sticking to an iPad for reading.