12-26-2013, 04:46 PM | #1 |
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Bookreader software for .azw format?
First, I don't have a Kindle. I started with a Nook Color, and I currently use a tablet. Works fine.
BUT, as I keep reading how Amazon is taking over the world, and the other book formats are going away, I'm curious whether there is a really GOOD bookreader that'll work on Kindle format. And, of course, Kindle format books are often cheaper than what B&N offers. I'm not concerned about Amazon achieving world domination and destroying other formats, but it would be nice to get books for Amazon and read the .azw on my tablet WITHOUT manual intervention. I currently use Coolreader, so that would be my baseline for flexibility and control. The Kindle and Nook bookreader software is pretty poor as far as being configurable. I've got Moon, Mantano, Aldiko, and FB readers on the table along with Coolreader, but none appears to read native .azw format. So, is there a really excellent reader that'll read the .azw format and let me have a lot of control for configuring and controlling the reading experience? |
12-26-2013, 04:59 PM | #2 |
Omnivorous
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The only reader that will work directly with Kindle books is the Kindle app for PC/Mac/Android/iOS. Others will require you remove DRM to read.
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12-26-2013, 05:04 PM | #3 |
The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠
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12-26-2013, 05:09 PM | #4 | |
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First of all, the file needs to be drm free. If you know it is drm free, you can rename the file to .mobi or .prc and try fbreader or coolreader but I've had better luck with FBreader. If FBreader can't process it might be an azw3 file which is essentially an epub variant in a kindle wrapper. There are free tools available to extract an epub from the azw file. The simplest solution is to just feed azw files through calibre unless you know they are mobi7. |
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12-28-2013, 11:26 AM | #5 |
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Wow, so Amazon has really locked people into their reading software - I'm talking about NORMAL people, not the folks that hang out in here, use Calibre, are comfortable managing DRM and all that... Of course, I suppose those same normal folks wouldn't realize how limited their reading software is.
Well, I sure hope those prophecies of the death of epub and the ascension of Amazon are wrong. |
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12-28-2013, 11:51 AM | #6 | |
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As for "prophesies of epub death and amazon domination" they are mostly fear mongering. And, again, nothing mainstream ebook buyers worry about. The epub world is forked and balkanized to its eyeballs but it still amounts to hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Those that don't want to deal with Amazon or Apple will always find somebody willing to take their money. (And Adobe will be grateful for the "tax" revenue they collect from them.) Last edited by fjtorres; 12-28-2013 at 11:53 AM. |
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12-28-2013, 06:25 PM | #7 |
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12-28-2013, 07:01 PM | #8 | |
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The only people who have a Kindle have one for a specific reason, mostly being the desire to avoid Kobo (firmware) or Sony (no front-light). There are some other readers, but they're not readily available in stores. In short, most people over here have a Kobo or a Sony. |
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12-29-2013, 02:30 PM | #9 |
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12-29-2013, 09:33 PM | #10 | |
Wizard
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With ebooks publishers didn't need to sell through other retailers and could have sold directly but in trying to protect their old cash cow of physical books they are stuck with Amazon and its customer lock in. |
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12-30-2013, 11:49 AM | #11 |
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I don't know that DRM free woulf really solve that much. Most people are going to buy books from the seller associated with their reader. It is easier that way.
There is a percentage that would take DRM free books and convert them as needed but I don't think it is as high as people here think that they are. Most folks are aiming for wase of use. Heck, I know how to strip DRM and convert and I still buy all my books from Amazon. It is easy and it makes those books more easily available to my Mom and MIL who are on my Amazon account. |
12-30-2013, 12:25 PM | #12 | |
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I think it is pretty funny people always gripe about Amazon or Apple locking people in but the fact is most people who buy those devices fully intend to buy books from Amazon or Apple, pretty much exclussively. For me, I don't see the big deal about drm, file type and all that jazz. I just buy books on my kindle and don't futz with things. I used to be the type that lamented about such things but found it was pointless for my purposes. |
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01-07-2014, 10:02 PM | #13 |
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You've missed my point... I don't care what reader you're using, or where you get your books. The native reader SOFTWARE on a Nook or Kindle is very limited. Third party readers provide far more control over the reading environment. Once I put a different reader on my wife's Nook Color, her reading speed went up significantly as did her comfort. She has MUCH more control of font, size, and a number of other aspects. She can put a texture on the background paper to make it more comfortable. And on and on. The ability to customize the tap areas for pagination rather than having to swipe all the time is a handy feature, as are a number of other things.
That was why I was curious about 3rd party readers that can read Kindle format. It would be nice to be able to get books from a variety of sources without having to go through the process of breaking the DRM. |
01-09-2014, 06:30 AM | #14 | |
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hansl |
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01-09-2014, 08:36 AM | #15 |
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The software lock is not unique to Kindle. Other reader manufacturers also try, see the Sony rooting threads.
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