[EatingPie]

Originally Posted by Andrew H.

It is interesting to me how the Kindle readers don't seem to be the ones complaining about Amazon's "lock-in," but the Epub readers. If lock-in were really a problem, you would hear more Kindle users complaining about it, I think.

IMO, what's really going on is some epub readers feel locked out because they want to be able to buy from Amazon but can't because they bought an incompatible device. I don't think that's really Amazon's problem.

Oh no, this is certainly not Amazon's problem. Indeed, it's their customers' problem, many of which -- apparently -- do not realize it yet.

And in terms of lock-in, you will see posts of mine dating back to my joining this site decrying the non-standardized format (then, Sony's LRF, which I still use myself), and the iTunes-like lock-in. I am not opposed to it because it's Amazon, I'm opposed to it because it's bad for consumers. Amazon just happens to be the one hold out.

We are fine, thanks.

Until you decide to purchase another model of e-Reader, of course.

Why would Rowlings even be tempted to ignore the dominant e-book format, particularly when she owns a Kindle. You should be pleased she even bothered with e-pub.

She chose ePUB. The only platform mentioned in any press release, Google Books, handles ePUB exclusively.

The only debate at this point is how Kindle users will get the books. Will it be via ePUB on Kindle, or will it be by mobi support on Pottermore? That is why this thread is titled the way it is: the one hold out might have to join everyone else.

And of course all of this concern trolling about standards is completely misplaced. B&N uses Epub, but you still can't read a nookbook on a Kobo or Sony. Apple uses Epub, but you can't read an iBook on a nook or Sony or Kobo. Some standards.

There are two layers to the lock-in. First is format, second is DRM. You are speaking of DRM, of which it seems one poster (or twin) has received much (deserved) congratulations on.

DRM from Amazon apparently can be circumvented without damaging the format of the book.

And of course if Amazon did switch to Epub, they would use their own DRM (because there's no way that they are paying Adobe), and you *still* wouldn't be able to read it on other devices.

Unless the book did not have DRM...but if it doesn't have drm, converting formats if trivial now. Or if you didn't mind breaking drm...but again, you would be no better off than you are now.

First and foremost, this thread deals with Harry Potter, which will not have DRM. And, once again, which will be sold via Google Books, meaning no announced Kindle support.

In terms of DRM, I already stated that it can be circumvented.

And this raises the question further. If you support Amazon so whole-heartedly, why would you even care to break the DRM in the first place? If you do not mind being locked in to the Kindle, then DRM doesn't matter in the slightest. The only reason to break DRM (disregarding piracy) is to plan for the future; to make sure you keep access to your book perpetually. The only reason this would be an issue is if you planned to leave the Kindle ecosystem. And then, you are still stuck because only the Kindle supports mobi format.

So if you support removing DRM, why so opposed to a standardized e-Book format? I honestly don't care so much what the format is (except that I've put much time in learning ePUB, as I did LRF before that). I just want a standard that is good so that I can buy any e-book from the store of my choice and use it on the e-Reader of my choice.

-Pie