Syncing your own eBooks between PCs and Android

legr3c · 04-28-2011, 05:36 AM

Hey guys

I am desperately looking for a way to read ebooks on my PCs (Windows) as well as on my Android Phone. What is most important to me is that the last page read is always synchronized between all devices. Also, I have to be able to add my own ebooks and I guess that's where it gets tricky. For example the Kindle app for PC and Android does almost what I want: it syncs your reading progress and you can import your own books but syncing only seems to be possible for books you purchased via kindle.

So does anyone know a software or method to achieve this?

sian · 04-30-2011, 08:07 PM

not sure if this can go here but can any 1 help. i know there is a prog for pc on amazon site and there is one for mac

but
my mac isnt intel its a power pc g4 mac mini.
i need to no of there is a reader like kindle prog for pc
and is the mobie pocket prog for my mac or can any1 suggest alternative.
please help

ghostyjack · 05-01-2011, 11:22 AM

Apps like the Kindle ones allow you to sync any books you've purchased from them but not for any you get from elsewhere, and as far as I know there are no apps that allow you to sync your own books.

An alternative to this would be to use a web-based ebook reader like Ibis Reader. You upload your books to your account you create with them and then read the book online. Seeing as you are reading it online, it will remember your last page so when you log into it with another device, you can continue from where you left off.

legr3c · 05-02-2011, 04:59 PM

Thanks ghostyjack!
I did not know about Ibis and it basically does exactly what I want. Unfortunately this still won't cut it for me because I guess you always need an Internet connection to use it, which I don't have.

producerism · 07-19-2011, 06:31 PM

Sorry for bumping an old thread, but I had this same exact question, and was wondering if there have been any developments in the past few months?

I'd really like to do the following 2 things:

Read PDF/ePub on Android devices and PC, so that device always remembers where I left off
Be able to access notes, highlights, annotations, etc. across all devices (pc/android)

If something like this doesn't already exist, it should!

There is an AS3 library that can parse and render ePub (example) - seems like it would be very possible to create an app in AIR that would be able to run on just about all devices/platforms.

ghostyjack · 07-27-2011, 10:41 AM

According to Teleread, the Ibis Reader now has a web app that can be used on the android to download books that can be read offline.

This may (potentially) resolve the OP's issues now as long as they can get internet access every now and then.

Link: http://www.teleread.com/chris-meadow...w-ibis-reader/

gweminence · 07-27-2011, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostyjack

Apps like the Kindle ones allow you to sync any books you've purchased from them but not for any you get from elsewhere, and as far as I know there are no apps that allow you to sync your own books.

Sorry, this is not entirely correct. The kindle for xxxx apps WILL sync between your own books, or any others that you get anywhere, IF you convert them to .mobi files using Calibre.

I frequently switch between kindle, pc, and android phone, and they're all (even third-party books) sync'd nicely.

ghostyjack · 07-28-2011, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gweminence

Sorry, this is not entirely correct. The kindle for xxxx apps WILL sync between your own books, or any others that you get anywhere, IF you convert them to .mobi files using Calibre.

I frequently switch between kindle, pc, and android phone, and they're all (even third-party books) sync'd nicely.

Could you explain how?

I had a go with the Kindle software on my Galaxy Tab & Desire HD, and the only books that will sync are the ones purchased from the Kindle store.

I cannot get any of my side-loaded books to sync.

gweminence · 07-28-2011, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostyjack

Could you explain how?

I had a go with the Kindle software on my Galaxy Tab & Desire HD, and the only books that will sync are the ones purchased from the Kindle store.

I cannot get any of my side-loaded books to sync.

Ensure that you're using the latest version of calibre. Convert your ebooks (No matter from where they are) to .mobi files. Do this EVEN IF IT'S already a .mobi file that you got somewhere other than amazon. Use kindle for xxxxx. Enjoy syncing. It's that easy

ghostyjack · 08-02-2011, 10:53 AM

Nope. Followed your instructions and cannot get this to work.

I cannot figure out how you can get a book that you didn't purchase from Amazon to sync with them, so you can then open it on another device and be at the position you finished on, on the first device.

gweminence · 08-02-2011, 01:59 PM

Are you actually selecting 'sync' from the menu? You have to do that, it doesn't just show up afaik.

ghostyjack · 08-02-2011, 02:26 PM

Yes, I do a manual sync.

BTW, are the books that you are syncing also available from Amazon? The ones I've tried are only available from the Black Library so Amazon would not even be able to recognise any of the books metadata. Just in case that's how it's working for you.

gweminence · 08-03-2011, 04:08 PM

Usually they are also available. But I have thousands of books, so checking each would be problematic. If you like, you can pm me a book that won't sync for you (one that's out of copyright, of course), and I'll test for you. But there's a whole thread in the calibre forum dedicated to thanking Kovid for this functionality. It works. We just have to figure out why it's not working for you.

Vic333 · 08-07-2011, 08:59 PM

The PC version of Nook Study allows you to add you own e-books. Not sure about the Android version.

joseph.carty · 10-22-2011, 09:49 PM

I have been looking for the same thing. I especially want to have my notes and highlights and I could live without the page synchronization if I had to. The only thing I have found so far it the ability to "share" all of my annotation and bookmarks from moon reader pro+ to evernote or any other sharing app.

I'm very interested in the ability to truly sync notes and reading location so if anyone finds more please post.

04-28-2011, 05:36 AM	#1
legr3c Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: Android	Syncing your own eBooks between PCs and Android Hey guys I am desperately looking for a way to read ebooks on my PCs (Windows) as well as on my Android Phone. What is most important to me is that the last page read is always synchronized between all devices. Also, I have to be able to add my own ebooks and I guess that's where it gets tricky. For example the Kindle app for PC and Android does almost what I want: it syncs your reading progress and you can import your own books but syncing only seems to be possible for books you purchased via kindle. So does anyone know a software or method to achieve this?

07-19-2011, 06:31 PM	#5
producerism Member Posts: 15 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2011 Device: none	Sorry for bumping an old thread, but I had this same exact question, and was wondering if there have been any developments in the past few months? I'd really like to do the following 2 things: Read PDF/ePub on Android devices and PC, so that device always remembers where I left off Be able to access notes, highlights, annotations, etc. across all devices (pc/android) If something like this doesn't already exist, it should! There is an AS3 library that can parse and render ePub (example) - seems like it would be very possible to create an app in AIR that would be able to run on just about all devices/platforms.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
How do I transfer ebooks from my pc to my android?	margaretanne	Android Devices	23	09-16-2015 11:28 AM
Getting started with ebooks on an android phone	Storm27	Android Devices	4	03-24-2011 02:46 PM
Ebooks on Android market	HansTWN	News	1	02-27-2011 08:42 PM
Syncing ebooks iphone to ipad	ianrip	Apple Devices	4	12-17-2010 12:55 AM
Android and ebooks	charlieperry	News	15	06-16-2009 12:43 PM

04-30-2011, 08:07 PM	#2
sian Addict Posts: 245 Karma: 55958 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: UK Device: kindle oasis ( 2018) kindle Fire hd 10 ( 2017)	not sure if this can go here but can any 1 help. i know there is a prog for pc on amazon site and there is one for mac but my mac isnt intel its a power pc g4 mac mini. i need to no of there is a reader like kindle prog for pc and is the mobie pocket prog for my mac or can any1 suggest alternative. please help

05-01-2011, 11:22 AM	#3
ghostyjack Guru Posts: 718 Karma: 1085610 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bristol, England Device: PRS-T1, 1825PT, Galaxy Tab, One X, TF700T, Aura HD, Nexus 7	Apps like the Kindle ones allow you to sync any books you've purchased from them but not for any you get from elsewhere, and as far as I know there are no apps that allow you to sync your own books. An alternative to this would be to use a web-based ebook reader like Ibis Reader. You upload your books to your account you create with them and then read the book online. Seeing as you are reading it online, it will remember your last page so when you log into it with another device, you can continue from where you left off.

05-02-2011, 04:59 PM	#4
legr3c Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: Android	Thanks ghostyjack! I did not know about Ibis and it basically does exactly what I want. Unfortunately this still won't cut it for me because I guess you always need an Internet connection to use it, which I don't have.

07-27-2011, 10:41 AM	#6
ghostyjack Guru Posts: 718 Karma: 1085610 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bristol, England Device: PRS-T1, 1825PT, Galaxy Tab, One X, TF700T, Aura HD, Nexus 7	According to Teleread, the Ibis Reader now has a web app that can be used on the android to download books that can be read offline. This may (potentially) resolve the OP's issues now as long as they can get internet access every now and then. Link: http://www.teleread.com/chris-meadow...w-ibis-reader/

08-02-2011, 10:53 AM	#10
ghostyjack Guru Posts: 718 Karma: 1085610 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bristol, England Device: PRS-T1, 1825PT, Galaxy Tab, One X, TF700T, Aura HD, Nexus 7	Nope. Followed your instructions and cannot get this to work. I cannot figure out how you can get a book that you didn't purchase from Amazon to sync with them, so you can then open it on another device and be at the position you finished on, on the first device.

08-02-2011, 01:59 PM	#11
gweminence Fat Guy Posts: 408 Karma: 24165 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Kindle Voyage	Are you actually selecting 'sync' from the menu? You have to do that, it doesn't just show up afaik.

08-02-2011, 02:26 PM	#12
ghostyjack Guru Posts: 718 Karma: 1085610 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bristol, England Device: PRS-T1, 1825PT, Galaxy Tab, One X, TF700T, Aura HD, Nexus 7	Yes, I do a manual sync. BTW, are the books that you are syncing also available from Amazon? The ones I've tried are only available from the Black Library so Amazon would not even be able to recognise any of the books metadata. Just in case that's how it's working for you.

08-03-2011, 04:08 PM	#13
gweminence Fat Guy Posts: 408 Karma: 24165 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Kindle Voyage	Usually they are also available. But I have thousands of books, so checking each would be problematic. If you like, you can pm me a book that won't sync for you (one that's out of copyright, of course), and I'll test for you. But there's a whole thread in the calibre forum dedicated to thanking Kovid for this functionality. It works. We just have to figure out why it's not working for you.

08-07-2011, 08:59 PM	#14
Vic333 Connoisseur Posts: 57 Karma: 500240 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	The PC version of Nook Study allows you to add you own e-books. Not sure about the Android version.

10-22-2011, 09:49 PM	#15
joseph.carty Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2011 Device: Android	I have been looking for the same thing. I especially want to have my notes and highlights and I could live without the page synchronization if I had to. The only thing I have found so far it the ability to "share" all of my annotation and bookmarks from moon reader pro+ to evernote or any other sharing app. I'm very interested in the ability to truly sync notes and reading location so if anyone finds more please post.

Advert

Advert