Cloud Reader A furhter question of the kind: how can I access my personal documents through my PC?

[Hmcaun]

I've already done a good amount of searches in this forum and maybe still would need to, but I could not afford to spend too much time on searching, so I felt obliged to post. I'll try to be as short as possible. Also, I thought it would be nice if this could be an updated reference for other users experiencing the same problem. (Provided there's any need for this.)

I own a 2nd generation Kindle Paperwhite, and as many others I'd need to access my personal documents via the Cloud Reader browser app - with highlights, notes, reading progress and more all synced.

We know that Amazon restricts this. So my question is: is there any supported way or workaround allowing me to do this? Alternatively, is there any software for jailbreaked devices that permits these features? (I just glanced at this, just for example. I have indeed a very broad idea of it.)

I must also ask you, and I really care about this, how other manufacturers handle this. Does Kobo, for example, allow accessing personal documents through the web reader? What about other producers? I'd be really interested in them and willing to switch.

For now, the only workable solution I've found is that of installing an Android emulator - in my case - in which to run the Kindle reader app. But maybe this is just an expedient and better solutions do really exist.

Looking forward any of your inputs.

[HarryT]

No, there's no way to do it. Kobo (or, indeed, any other manufacturer) do not support personal documents, so the question doesn't arise there.

[Hmcaun]

Originally Posted by HarryT

[...] do not support personal documents, so the question doesn't arise there.

Do not they really support it at all? I heard that it was at least possible to transfer personal documents to Kobo, and even something concerning syncing.

[HarryT]

You can certainly load your own files onto a Kobo, yes, but when people talk about "Personal Documents" on a Kindle they are generally referring to documents stored on Amazon's Cloud servers. Kobo devices don't support any form of syncing of side-loaded content, to the best of my knowledge.

[eschwartz]

Unfortunately, Amazon is the only ereader manufacturer which supports storing Personal Documents on their cloud, and syncing them, at all.
And they only support that for the hardware devices and mobile apps.

Cloud Reader, and Kindle for PC, are both out, as they only support downloading and syncing purchased content.
I suppose the theory is that your Personal Documents don't need to be synced to your computer, as you already have them.


Note: You can open the ebook file (original copy, or downloaded though E-Ink device) in Kindle for PC. But that won't help you sync annotations.

[eschwartz]

If you are jailbroken, more options open up, e.g. KOReader.

https://github.com/koreader/koreader/wiki

They don't support taking notes (yet, but I am sure they are working on it).
But they do support highlights, bookmarks, and reading process, all(?) synced to different KOReader instances.

So that works on Kindles and Kobos and Android devices.
There are also instructions for building a KOReader emulator on linux and Windows, but I'm not sure the desktop is on their radar yet (as a supported platform).
Maybe eventually.


They also support Ubuntu Touch, which might offer interesting options re: Ubuntu Desktop Convergence sometime next year, or so they say.

[Hmcaun]

Ok, forgive if I further ask, but... Which other e-reader brands do exist that may offer such a type of feature? Beside the Kindle and Kobo series, I know Tolino and have heard of Nook - that I don't really know if is available in my country.

I want also consider the possibility of cracking one's own device. I assume that Kobo has a wider range of jailbreaks available, but I'm weakly knowledgeable even with regard to this.

[eschwartz]

Like I said, nothing.

I believe the Tolino and similar lesser-known brands do not operate a store at all -- they require you to sideload EPUB ebooks purchased from e.g. Kobo, B&N, GooglePlay, and direct from publisher.
No sure if they allow you to sync at all.



As for the main brands -- the ones that

1. Offer an E-Ink device
2. Operate an integrated store

I am pretty sure that is just Amazon (Kindle), Kobo (Kobo devices), and B&N (Nook).
Sony is out of the business.




Your best bet was Amazon, and they don't sync with the Desktop.

You will have to look at third-party applications. Like KOReader, which if you add Ubuntu Touch into the mix might actually be a complete solution. (Not sure where Ubuntu are holding these days, but I'm sure they must have preview stuff at least which runs the phone bits on a desktop.)

[AnemicOak]

Perhaps an Android based eInk device such as the ones from Onyx Boox where one could run the Google Books app? AFAIK Google allows you to upload your books in a similar way to Amazon and then access them both in app and online.


Note: I've never used the Google app(s) so can't comment on the quality of the reader nor if it supports everything the OP needs, but it's one more thing they could look into. Also not sure if the Android app works well on a grayscale eInk screen or not so that would need to be checked into.

[Hmcaun]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Perhaps an Android based eInk device such as the ones from Onyx Boox where one could run the Google Books app? AFAIK Google allows you to upload your books in a similar way to Amazon and then access them both in app and online. [...]

I too had made some thoughts on the availability of some Android-powered e-ink device, and was aware of the Google Books app; in general, though, I fancy an Android device will offer much more freedom and such problems as getting rid of restrictions should apply with less relevance. Thank you however for citing the Onyx manufacturer, I had never heard of it until now .

Yeah, I may be concerned with the software updates of Onyx Booxes, if I was ever to be interested in one of them.

In any case, at the moment I do not mean to take any definitive decision, I'll let ideas and opportunities accumulate. An Android emulator (just for the bare necessity of accessing personal documents through my PC), a software crack, or an e-ink Android device: these are roughly the ones I'm currently contemplating. Won't reject any new input at all, however .

[johnnyb]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Like I said, nothing.

I believe the Tolino and similar lesser-known brands do not operate a store at all -- they require you to sideload EPUB ebooks purchased from e.g. Kobo, B&N, GooglePlay, and direct from publisher.
No sure if they allow you to sync at all.

Actually, Tolinos have on-board stores (from the vendor where you bought the device) so you don't have to sideload. But if you're so inclined, tolino supports the upload and syncing (including bookmarks, notes and annotations) of any epub (with or without DRM) that you throw at it. And any file you load into their cloud is also available via their web reader app (and on iOS and Android) including bookmarks, notes and annotations.

So, if you can get your hands on one, you have your device that does all this...
Feel free to ask me more about them, I used to work for one of the vendors that sell Tolinos...