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Originally Posted by nowthenmobile
So does that mean that all the eBook sellers are linked with specific eReaders. So, if I bought a Sony, for instance, I couldn't just buy an ePUB from anywhere - it would have to be an ePUB with DRM that matched my Sony - so specific eBook sellers that have an arrangement with Sony? Is that right?
What about libraries - Do they all use the same DRM on their ePUBs?
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Hello, nowthenmobile. I recently helped a friend in southern England make a similar decision. The UK does not have as many elibraries as here in the US. Unfortunately for my friend, his county elibrary (Isle of Wight) only had audiobooks. The next nearest county (Hampshire) had a significant selection of ebooks so it varies by where you live. I suggest you find out if your local area has an elibrary and if so browse its website. Does it have the ebooks you are interested in? The majority of elibraries in both the US and UK get their books through a company called Overdrive. There should be FAQs on your local elibrary website that tell you what devices work with their system. The Overdrive ebooks use Adobe DRM for EPUBs and PDFs which is compatible with Sony, Nook, Kobo and perhaps others too. They do not work with the Kindle.
Most EPUB ebooks will work with a variety of ereaders. The big exception is ebooks sold through the Barnes and Noble website because B&N uses a more advanced DRM for their EPUBs that only works with the Nook at the moment. Apple iBooks does something similar with DRM on their EPUBs too. You should be aware that bookstores have geographic restrictions. That means since you are located in the UK you will be limited to what you can buy on the Barnes and Noble US bookstore if you go with the Nook. Similarly, since I am located outside the UK, I can't just buy any ebook from UK booksellers.
No worries though. There are some really great websites for ebooks in the UK. I suggest you go to the WH Smith and Waterstones websites and browse their ebook selections. Both of these websites also sell ereaders, and you can see that there are many ereader brand options. For example, ebooks that you buy from these stores will work with Sony, Nook and Kobo. Also you might want to see if your local bookstore has an ereader display. I know that I have seen them on display in both WH Smith and Waterstones before.
So what did my friend buy? He went with the Kindle 3 Wifi. Why? Because he didn't have an elibrary option and he wanted the cheapest ereader. He only plans to read his books once so future access or portability wasn't a concern to him.
I have both Sony and Kindle ereaders. My primary ereader is Sony. Why? Because I do read a great number of elibrary books. Also I purchase quite a few books. If 6 months from now some hardware manufacturer comes out with the best EPUB ereader ever, then I will more than likely be able to read my previous purchases on that ereader too. I prefer the flexibility of the EPUB format and the ability to use it with multiple devices. Also I like the option to shop at different stores for the best prices. I am not locked into the Sony ebookstore.
Hope that helps. The best advice I gave my friend was that I thought he would be happy with either option. Ereaders are awesome devices. So don't spend too much time stressing over your decision. Good luck!