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Old 10-30-2010, 09:58 PM   #4
jhempel24
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Posts: 2,157
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Device: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, B&N Nook Colro
Quote:
Originally Posted by fjtorres View Post
I don't own a Cruz reader but I can offer up a few generalities:
1- The Cruz reader runs a variation of the Android Operating System that was developed for cellphones. Since it was not intended for tablets, Google (its creator) does not allow access to it application repository. If you intend to use it as a planner you will have to see if Velocity Micro is offering access to those kinds of apps.
2- The reader app that gives you access to the Borders ebook store is produced by Kobo which is a Borders partner; Borders itself does *not* run the ebook store so there is only minimal contact between their stores and the online operation.
3- The reader app does in fact maintain a library on the reader device that you can use to browse and access the ebooks you copy over to the device.
4- Getting Calibre is a good first move but Calibre only manages DRM-free ebooks. The Cruz comes with its own software that you need to install to manage DRM'ed ebooks. (Unless you choose to learn how to remove DRM from the files--it's not hard. Then you could use Calibre for all your ebook management.)
5- DRM is an acronym (Digital Rights Management) used to described a "wrapper" layer of encryption that only allows the eboks you buy to be read on authorized hardware tied to your personal account.
6- Modern ebooks come primarily in two "flavors" Mobipocket/Kindle and ePub. Mobipocket and Kindle are both owned by Amazon and use variations of the same DRM. ePub files come with one of three different DRM encryption technologies tied to different ebook stores; Barnes and Noble's Nook, Apple's iBook, and Adobe Adept which is licensed to all comers (Sony, Fictionwise, Kobo, etc). eBooks from a given ebook store will only be usable with devices tied to that ebookstore or with applications (for PCs, cellphones, or tablets) that are linked to the bookstore. Hence the Kobo app on your tablet.
7- Because the Cruz runs Android you might, theoretically, be able to install reader apps to get DRM'ed ebooks from Amazon or Borders in addition to Kobo.
8- Also keep in mind that there are many commercial ebook sources that *don't* use DRM.

Hope that helps you get going.
I was able to get the Nook on it, BUT, you have to softroot it with the "Macho cruz" firmware, which voids the warranty. That gives you access to the full android market, and the Kindle and Nook apps. If you don't softroot it, in my opinion, it's a paperweight.
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