Sony vs Kindle eBookstore

bschase2 · 12-17-2009, 06:46 AM

OK, new thread to help focus topic.

How much better is Kindle vs. Sony. It was mentioned in my earlier thread the Kindle's store was better, but I am struggling with evaluating it myself. I think I would get a sony if I knew that I would be happy with the bookstore, but I am worried that once I purchase the device, I will suddenly understand why I should have got a Kindle.

Sony users... can you support your book store?

Kindle users... can you help me out too?

omk3 · 12-17-2009, 06:56 AM

With the sony you are not tied to one store, you can buy from any store that sells epub (B&N excepted for the moment), so theoretically you have more choice. On the other hand, amazon has a very good and diverse collection (or so I've heard), and most of the time better prices (again, this might change in the future).

What I would do in your place, is search for books I would be likely to buy for my future reader, and check the availability and price on amazon and a selection of epub stores (not just sony). You can use websites like http://ebookprice.info or http://inkmesh.com to help you with your searches, but don't take the information they give you for granted, I hear their databases are not always updated.

Connallmac · 12-17-2009, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omk3

With the sony you are not tied to one store, you can buy from any store that sells epub (B&N excepted for the moment), so theoretically you have more choice. On the other hand, amazon has a very good and diverse collection (or so I've heard), and most of the time better prices (again, this might change in the future).

The implication of this, that you are tied into Amazon's store is FALSE. I have purchased works from a number of retailers, like Smashwords and Drivethrurpg.com and directly from publishers like Chaosium that play quite nicely with my Kindle DX. About a third of the content on my KDX is from non-Amazon sources.

omk3 · 12-17-2009, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Connallmac

The implication of this, that you are tied into Amazon's store is FALSE. I have purchased works from a number of retailers, like Smashwords and Drivethrurpg.com and directly from publishers like Chaosium that play quite nicely with my Kindle DX. About a third of the content on my KDX is from non-Amazon sources.

For mainstream, commercial, drm titles I think you are (sorry if I'm wrong, I haven't got a kindle and I'm going on what I've heard). Of course there are alternative sources of books for all readers. It really depends on the op's reading habits and tastes.

kennyc · 12-17-2009, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Connallmac

The implication of this, that you are tied into Amazon's store is FALSE. I have purchased works from a number of retailers, like Smashwords and Drivethrurpg.com and directly from publishers like Chaosium that play quite nicely with my Kindle DX. About a third of the content on my KDX is from non-Amazon sources.

only if they are DRM-FREE.

The Kindle is basically tied to the Amazon store for any "new" purchases. DRM-free Mobi, text, etc. will work with it or if you can strip DRM and convert it to mobi.

There are more stores that provide "standard" AdobeDE DRM Epub than just the Sony store.

The-eBook-Reader · 12-17-2009, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omk3

What I would do in your place, is search for books I would be likely to buy for my future reader, and check the availability and price on amazon and a selection of epub stores (not just sony).

Take it from omk3, that's some sound advice and is the most important step in deciding which ereader is the best for you. And speaking of inkmesh, here's a recent study they did comparing Amazon's ebook store to Sony's and B&N's.

And here's another good site for running ebook prices with a lot of search options so you can narrow it down to stores that only sell epub: http://ebooks.addall.com/

A short list of epub stores:
ebooks.com
kobobooks.com (formerly shortcovers)
diesel ebooks.com
ebook eros.com
eharlequin.com
powell's books
books on board
fictionwise
Waterstones (UK)
WHSmith (UK)

Good luck!

gwynevans · 12-17-2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bschase2

Sony users... can you support your book store?

Well, tangentially, do you have access to an on-line library? :-)

daffy4u · 12-17-2009, 09:46 AM

The reason one would normally want to buy from other ebook retailers is because they cannot find the book they want or can't find it at a price they are willing to pay. Amazon tends to have more books at lower prices.

There are those who have pay memberships retailers like Fictionwise that are able to work the system so that they can sometimes get lower prices than Amazon. It depends on how much work you are willing to put into it. Me, I just like to download and read without a lot of hoop jumping.

rhadin · 12-17-2009, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daffy4u

The reason one would normally want to buy from other ebook retailers is because they cannot find the book they want or can't find it at a price they are willing to pay. Amazon tends to have more books at lower prices.

Sorry, Daffy,

but I think you are missing a small but significant group of us who are not driven solely by price but rather by the desire to support a bookstore other than Amazon to insure that there is viable competition to Amazon. If Amazon didn't have to compete with, say, B&N, I suspect its prices would be higher.

Connallmac · 12-17-2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennyc

only if they are DRM-FREE.

The Kindle is basically tied to the Amazon store for any "new" purchases. DRM-free Mobi, text, etc. will work with it or if you can strip DRM and convert it to mobi.

There are more stores that provide "standard" AdobeDE DRM Epub than just the Sony store.

But which version of Adobe DRM are these epub stores using and will your particular reader support it? A single standard like epub would be grand, but it really doesn't matter all that much when the titles are DRMed and there are a number of different DRM schemes around.

Connallmac · 12-17-2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omk3

For mainstream, commercial, drm titles I think you are (sorry if I'm wrong, I haven't got a kindle and I'm going on what I've heard). Of course there are alternative sources of books for all readers. It really depends on the op's reading habits and tastes.

Reading tastes are certainly something to take into account, but there are a number of places where you can go to purchase content that is ready for the Kindle. I have purchased DRM free mobi and pdf titles for my Kindle at places like Smashwords and Fictionwise.

kennyc · 12-17-2009, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Connallmac

But which version of Adobe DRM are these epub stores using and will your particular reader support it? A single standard like epub would be grand, but it really doesn't matter all that much when the titles are DRMed and there are a number of different DRM schemes around.

They all use the AdobeDE with the exception of B&N who has decided to implement a new version (but I suspect all will move to it shortly).

The real point is that Kindle only allows non-drm formats other than amazon's DRM-Mobi and Topaz and the only way it can be used for other stores is if those files are non-drm.

kennyc · 12-17-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Connallmac

Reading tastes are certainly something to take into account, but there are a number of places where you can go to purchase content that is ready for the Kindle. I have purchased DRM free mobi and pdf titles for my Kindle at places like Smashwords and Fictionwise.

Right, these are typically public domain books or freebies from the authors who are unknown mostly. The new releases are all DRM'd and while Amazon has many of them and generally at good prices that is far from always the case.

daffy4u · 12-17-2009, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhadin

Sorry, Daffy,

but I think you are missing a small but significant group of us who are not driven solely by price but rather by the desire to support a bookstore other than Amazon to insure that there is viable competition to Amazon. If Amazon didn't have to compete with, say, B&N, I suspect its prices would be higher.

I did say "normally" but I see your point.

bschase2 · 12-17-2009, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The-eBook-Reader

A short list of epub stores:
ebooks.com
kobobooks.com (formerly shortcovers)
diesel ebooks.com
ebook eros.com
eharlequin.com
powell's books
books on board
fictionwise
Waterstones (UK)
WHSmith (UK)

Wow... great advice here!!! Thanks everyone. One question, do these stores only carry Epub? Which, the Kindle can't read?

12-17-2009, 06:46 AM	#1
bschase2 Member Posts: 23 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Wellington, FL Device: Kindle Touch	Sony vs Kindle eBookstore OK, new thread to help focus topic. How much better is Kindle vs. Sony. It was mentioned in my earlier thread the Kindle's store was better, but I am struggling with evaluating it myself. I think I would get a sony if I knew that I would be happy with the bookstore, but I am worried that once I purchase the device, I will suddenly understand why I should have got a Kindle. Sony users... can you support your book store? Kindle users... can you help me out too?

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12-17-2009, 06:56 AM	#2
omk3 Wizard Posts: 1,454 Karma: 37243 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Europe Device: pocketbook 360, kindle 4	With the sony you are not tied to one store, you can buy from any store that sells epub (B&N excepted for the moment), so theoretically you have more choice. On the other hand, amazon has a very good and diverse collection (or so I've heard), and most of the time better prices (again, this might change in the future). What I would do in your place, is search for books I would be likely to buy for my future reader, and check the availability and price on amazon and a selection of epub stores (not just sony). You can use websites like http://ebookprice.info or http://inkmesh.com to help you with your searches, but don't take the information they give you for granted, I hear their databases are not always updated.

12-17-2009, 09:46 AM	#8
daffy4u I'm Super Kindle-icious Posts: 6,734 Karma: 2434103 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis	The reason one would normally want to buy from other ebook retailers is because they cannot find the book they want or can't find it at a price they are willing to pay. Amazon tends to have more books at lower prices. There are those who have pay memberships retailers like Fictionwise that are able to work the system so that they can sometimes get lower prices than Amazon. It depends on how much work you are willing to put into it. Me, I just like to download and read without a lot of hoop jumping.

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