Kindle owner about to buy alternative

asjogren · 06-19-2010, 02:39 PM

To Amazon.com:

I have a Kindle 2i. I love it. We are in the market to buy a second eReader device. But, at present it will NOT be a Kindle. Why?

Why is because of Public Library books via Overdrive.

The Amazon.com Kindle store is great. I even just added a magazine subscription. We read MORE borrowed library eBooks than purchase.

So Amazon, how could you turn this pending purchase around to be another Kindle?
1) Provide an interface between Amazon.com and Overdrive which format shifts and delivers via WhisperNet.
Imagine a button on Overdrive.com that says deliver to "My Kindle". The books would still be protected and time limited.
OR
2) Create your own eBook rental site like BlockBuster and NetFlix.

pat.indie · 06-19-2010, 08:24 PM

I wish Amazon fulfilled either of those two wishes. I did buy a second device (partly) to be able to read library e-books.
In fact, would it be so hard for Amazon to add epub support? They already support MOBI/PRC and PDF. Why not a third format?

whitearrow · 06-19-2010, 08:36 PM

Adding support for non-DRM'd ePub wouldn't address the Overdrive issue. And I can't blame Amazon for not wanting to pay the license fees to Adobe that would be required to support Overdrive.

AnemicOak · 06-19-2010, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitearrow

Adding support for non-DRM'd ePub wouldn't address the Overdrive issue. And I can't blame Amazon for not wanting to pay the license fees to Adobe that would be required to support Overdrive.

AFAIK they've already paid the licensing fee. Aren't they using the Adobe SDK to provide PDF support?

The thing with adding DRM'd ePub/PDF support would be that they'd open up the device to people buying from other sources of DRM'd books. Not sure that's in their business strategy at this point.

SensualPoet · 06-19-2010, 09:13 PM

I like the library book aspect of the Kobo; I like the richness of the Amazon bookstore and the full features of the Kindle. So, I have one of each.

I'd really like Amazon to support ePub; but things are fine as they are for the time being. Over time, DRM will wither out or become transparent -- I don't care which. Perhaps Kindle delivery of library books via Whispernet will include a small charge to the participating library, and a slightly smaller fee to Overdrive ... to compensate Amazon for the deliver costs / service. Overdrive makes it up in volume; the library sees higher usage at a modest uptick in cost; Amazon delivers an even better reader experience. Yes, it could work.

whitearrow · 06-19-2010, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

AFAIK they've already paid the licensing fee. Aren't they using the Adobe SDK to provide PDF support?

I don't think it's the same. Overdrive is an entirely separate product and would be a different licensing fee.

Supporting Overdrive would also take a lot of, well, support, and it wouldn't provide any financial benefit to Amazon. It's also not consistent with the "keep it simple" model Amazon has tried to keep to with the Kindle.

AnemicOak · 06-20-2010, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitearrow

I don't think it's the same. Overdrive is an entirely separate product and would be a different licensing fee.

Supporting Overdrive would also take a lot of, well, support, and it wouldn't provide any financial benefit to Amazon. It's also not consistent with the "keep it simple" model Amazon has tried to keep to with the Kindle.

Overdrive is just a distributor that provides ebooks (and other things) to libraries and also to retailers like Books On Board (Ingram Digital/Lightning Source is another). The DRM is the same as any place that uses Adobe DRM for ebooks (Sony, Kobo, etc.). You don't license Overdrive, you license the SDK from Adobe which AFAIK Amazon has already done (they just haven't enabled DRM support in their PDF support).

whitearrow · 06-20-2010, 01:12 AM

Even if you're right (which I still sort of doubt -- until proved otherwise, I can't believe Adobe would include DRM and all it includes in one license fee), there are still support issues, not to mention it being inconsistent with Amazon's fundamental business of selling books.

loveangel · 06-20-2010, 09:50 AM

I wish they filled two wishes

abookreader · 06-20-2010, 10:17 AM

I considered picking up a used Sony 505 for months just for the Overdrive books. I finally went with a Sony Pocket when the price dropped so much but I still kinda want that 505 with the slightly bigger screen.

But I STILL prefer the Kindle reading experience so I understand your position. Our library hasn't purchasing many mobi books the past couple of months. It definitely seems to be turning toward ePub.

jj2me · 06-22-2010, 12:10 PM

This is an intentionally obscure post, so it doesn't get deleted. Google ineptepub. Calibre for subsequent conversion.

[EDIT: I guess I didn't need to be too obscure. Here's a thread here on mobileread.]

laurie_lu · 06-22-2010, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jj2me

This is an intentionally obscure post, so it doesn't get deleted. Google ineptepub. Calibre for subsequent conversion.

[EDIT: I guess I didn't need to be too obscure. Here's a thread here on mobileread.]

Does this technique still work after the 2.5.3 update?

jj2me · 06-22-2010, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laurie_lu

Does this technique still work after the 2.5.3 update?

I don't own a Kindle (though $140 refurb is tempting), so can't test to be positively sure, but nothing above involves the Kindle. It's stripping out the DRM from secure epub, then converting epub to mobi using Calibre. Then sideload I guess.

Look here for a nice tutorial and links on the DRM stripping part. Post #3 there is great.

chilady1 · 06-22-2010, 02:38 PM

I do this all the time to read library books on my Kindle, one step was left out though, once the time has expired, I ALWAYS delete the book off my Kindle, without exception.

When I finish reading the book or it expires, I remove it from the Kindle. Just my two cents. Good Luck!

asjogren · 06-22-2010, 03:32 PM

While I am willing and able to make Overdrive public library eBooks work on my Kindle, my partner is definitely NOT.

Had Amazon provided an interface to read Overdrive library books, we would not have ordered the WiFi Nook yesterday. It would have been the $189 Kindle 2i. I like the Kindle a little better than the Nook.

I like the Amazon store. I don't mind terribly being tied to this one store - as long a non-DRM Mobi and PDF can be side loaded.

But now, Amazon has lost my partner for future eBook purchases and magazine purchases. 90% of her use will be from the public library. But, that 10% purchase will likely come from B&N - not Amazon.

06-19-2010, 02:39 PM	#1
asjogren Addict Posts: 266 Karma: 1378 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Seattle / San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico Device: Kindle & WiFi Nook & PocketBook IQ	Kindle owner about to buy alternative To Amazon.com: I have a Kindle 2i. I love it. We are in the market to buy a second eReader device. But, at present it will NOT be a Kindle. Why? Why is because of Public Library books via Overdrive. The Amazon.com Kindle store is great. I even just added a magazine subscription. We read MORE borrowed library eBooks than purchase. So Amazon, how could you turn this pending purchase around to be another Kindle? 1) Provide an interface between Amazon.com and Overdrive which format shifts and delivers via WhisperNet. Imagine a button on Overdrive.com that says deliver to "My Kindle". The books would still be protected and time limited. OR 2) Create your own eBook rental site like BlockBuster and NetFlix.

06-22-2010, 12:10 PM	#11
jj2me Guru Posts: 820 Karma: 8820388 Join Date: Dec 2008 Device: Sony PRS-505, -350; Kindle 3 3G, DX, PW 2; various tablets	This is an intentionally obscure post, so it doesn't get deleted. Google ineptepub. Calibre for subsequent conversion. [EDIT: I guess I didn't need to be too obscure. Here's a thread here on mobileread.] Last edited by jj2me; 06-22-2010 at 12:45 PM.

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06-19-2010, 08:24 PM	#2
pat.indie Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 74 Join Date: May 2010 Device: Kindle 2, enTourage eDGe, 10" ASUS Netbook	I wish Amazon fulfilled either of those two wishes. I did buy a second device (partly) to be able to read library e-books. In fact, would it be so hard for Amazon to add epub support? They already support MOBI/PRC and PDF. Why not a third format?

06-19-2010, 08:36 PM	#3
whitearrow Guru Posts: 808 Karma: 2260766 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: Kindle Oasis 2	Adding support for non-DRM'd ePub wouldn't address the Overdrive issue. And I can't blame Amazon for not wanting to pay the license fees to Adobe that would be required to support Overdrive.

06-19-2010, 09:13 PM	#5
SensualPoet Wizard Posts: 2,302 Karma: 2607151 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto Device: Kobo Aura HD, Kindle Paperwhite, Asus ZenPad 3, Kobo Glo	I like the library book aspect of the Kobo; I like the richness of the Amazon bookstore and the full features of the Kindle. So, I have one of each. I'd really like Amazon to support ePub; but things are fine as they are for the time being. Over time, DRM will wither out or become transparent -- I don't care which. Perhaps Kindle delivery of library books via Whispernet will include a small charge to the participating library, and a slightly smaller fee to Overdrive ... to compensate Amazon for the deliver costs / service. Overdrive makes it up in volume; the library sees higher usage at a modest uptick in cost; Amazon delivers an even better reader experience. Yes, it could work.

06-20-2010, 01:12 AM	#8
whitearrow Guru Posts: 808 Karma: 2260766 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: Kindle Oasis 2	Even if you're right (which I still sort of doubt -- until proved otherwise, I can't believe Adobe would include DRM and all it includes in one license fee), there are still support issues, not to mention it being inconsistent with Amazon's fundamental business of selling books.

06-20-2010, 09:50 AM	#9
loveangel Banned Posts: 137 Karma: 30 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: kindle	I wish they filled two wishes

06-20-2010, 10:17 AM	#10
abookreader Wizard Posts: 1,516 Karma: 2567610 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kindles - Keyboard, Fire, 2-US, iPhone, iPAD	I considered picking up a used Sony 505 for months just for the Overdrive books. I finally went with a Sony Pocket when the price dropped so much but I still kinda want that 505 with the slightly bigger screen. But I STILL prefer the Kindle reading experience so I understand your position. Our library hasn't purchasing many mobi books the past couple of months. It definitely seems to be turning toward ePub.

06-22-2010, 02:38 PM	#14
chilady1 I devour books! Posts: 789 Karma: 1285226 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: iPad Air, Kindle 3/Kobo Aura HD, iPhone 6	I do this all the time to read library books on my Kindle, one step was left out though, once the time has expired, I ALWAYS delete the book off my Kindle, without exception. When I finish reading the book or it expires, I remove it from the Kindle. Just my two cents. Good Luck!

06-22-2010, 03:32 PM	#15
asjogren Addict Posts: 266 Karma: 1378 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Seattle / San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico Device: Kindle & WiFi Nook & PocketBook IQ	While I am willing and able to make Overdrive public library eBooks work on my Kindle, my partner is definitely NOT. Had Amazon provided an interface to read Overdrive library books, we would not have ordered the WiFi Nook yesterday. It would have been the $189 Kindle 2i. I like the Kindle a little better than the Nook. I like the Amazon store. I don't mind terribly being tied to this one store - as long a non-DRM Mobi and PDF can be side loaded. But now, Amazon has lost my partner for future eBook purchases and magazine purchases. 90% of her use will be from the public library. But, that 10% purchase will likely come from B&N - not Amazon.

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