[davidfor]

Originally Posted by GlenBarrington

All snarkiness aside, I have bought from Kobo for use with my Sony devices, and have never used a Kobo device because i was unimpressed with their service overall. And I also buy books from Google Play, for use in the Moon Reader Pro software. It's kind of a pain to buy non Amazon sold books.

Yes, I was being snarky. It was in response the attitude I perceived in your post.

I'm talking about the entire experience not just the number of button 'clicks', and you know it. There was ADE, there was the need to download to a pc for storage and transfer to my Sony devices.

I can buy my books on Amazon from my smartphone, and know that my wifi only tablet will download it when it I connect it to the internet. It was a PITA for non KOBO users, I can't say the same for non Kindle users. Their experience is exactly the same as Kindle users.

Sorry, what you described about buying from Amazon and reading on a Kindle is EXACTLY the same as buying from Kobo and reading on a Kobo device. Except for that one click. And Kobo have their own app I can shop from on my phone. If I buy a book from Kobo, it will appear in the near future on all the devices or apps that my account is logged into. That sounds pretty much like what you say will happen with Amazon and Kindle. My point is that if you stay within either environment, it's pretty much the same.

If you don't stay within their environment, it's still pretty much the same. When I buy from Amazon for use on my Kobo, I need to download the book to my PC using Kindle for PC, find the file, remove DRM and convert as needed. If someone buys from Kobo, Google or elsewhere for use on a Kindle, the process is exactly the same except you replace Kindle for PC with ADE. Though Kobo allows me to download DRM free books directly without ADE, so maybe that is easier.

But I'm not just talking about the physical infrastructure. There is The Prime Reading Program, the Kindle First program, Kindle Unlimited, the ability to share with another household member.

No, you weren't just talking about the physical infrastructure. But, your comments on these were wrong and that is what I was commenting on.

The other programs are interesting, but I haven't felt any loss in not having them. Kobo do have "Kobo Plus" which I think is the equivalent of "Kindle Unlimited". It is a fairly recent thing and only available in a few countries. I assume they will expand this when they are ready.

And personally, Amazon doesn't help anymore the Kobo or the others in the one important thing about this: Actually finding a book I want to buy and read.

Amazon goes out of its way to make me feel they want my business. My experience with other vendors is spotty, at best. That is why I"m considering a Paperwhite device and not a different brand.

Well, my experience with Kobo is excellent. About the only hassle I have with my Kobo devices is correcting people who assume they are a Kindles.