02-13-2009, 01:05 AM | #1 |
Fanatic
Posts: 538
Karma: 469999
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Scotland
Device: Sony PRS-650 (PRS+ alpha - thanks Kartu!)
|
Kindle format > Mobi?
As I'm sure most people will be aware Amazon is bringing out a new Kindle. To me it looks pretty good, as did the previous one. For me though the wireless connectivity isn't a killer ap, my Cybook is still fine.
However as I understand Amazon own both the kindle format and Mobipocket format. They push the kindle format, discounting books to push the device and develop a market. Books are available on kindle format before mobipocket, or simply not available on mobipocket. Amazon have an exclusive with Stephen King (I believe I read?) for the Kindle. Is the future of Mobipocket going to be a more expensive, patchy, later format than Kindle, am I overstating things, or is there light at the end of the tunnel? |
02-13-2009, 05:38 AM | #2 |
reader
Posts: 6,975
Karma: 5183568
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mississippi, USA
Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD
|
The Kindle's AZW format is exactly MOBI. Many of the Kindle's ebooks come from MobiPocket (i.e. the publishers submit them to MobiPocket, not Kindle). Note also that not all MOBI's come from MobiPocket, e.g. Overdrive distributes in MOBI format. Some publishers rely on distributors like Overdrive to convert a "master" version to formats like MOBI.
There are some Kindle exclusives, and some non-exclusives which may look that way. For example O'Reilly ebooks sell at the Kindle store and not at other ebook stores, but you can get a DRM-free 3 format bundle (PDF, ePub, MOBI) directly from O'Reilly. Also, exclusives are usually for a limited time. If a publisher has a MOBI (AZW) version, why would they want to ignore MOBI as a sales outlet? Since Amazon owns MobiPocket, anything could happen in the future. Amazon could close MobiPocket in favor of Kindle, Amazon could extend AZW to make it different from MOBI, etcetera. At present, what is happening is that MOBI is probably stronger because of the Kindle. The upcoming extension of the Kindle store to (some) cell phones is probably a danger sign for Mobipocket's longevity though. |
Advert | |
|
02-13-2009, 06:12 AM | #3 | |
eBook Enthusiast
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
|
Quote:
Given that the Kindle is irrelevent to 95% of the world's population, and that Mobi books are sold world-wide, I really don't think there's any cause for immediate concern. |
|
02-13-2009, 10:50 AM | #4 |
Evangelist
Posts: 423
Karma: 890
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: USA
Device: whatever
|
If Amazon decided to discontinue the mobi version (which I don't think will happen), I'd just start getting my books in .LIT format and convert them to mobi format.
|
02-13-2009, 11:19 AM | #5 |
I'm Super Kindle-icious
Posts: 6,734
Karma: 2434103
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia
Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis
|
You can buy King's books at many ebook retailers. He was asked to write a story for Kindle 2's launch that is exclusive. It's about a magical pink Kindle, so it's probably going to be cheesy (but I'll read it anyway ).
|
Advert | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
[Old thread] Need help -> Kindle 3, Mobi format, Hebrew | nitzanb | Conversion | 2 | 09-28-2010 06:54 AM |
HTML to MOBI text format is off when I get it on Kindle | cloudyvisions | Calibre | 5 | 07-14-2010 12:42 AM |
MOBI format, Baen Books and Kindle questions. | NormHart | Workshop | 5 | 08-11-2009 05:43 PM |
best format to convert to mobi | rcuadro | Kindle Formats | 15 | 03-15-2009 08:07 PM |
mobi format | sassanik | Sony Reader | 7 | 09-04-2008 01:52 PM |