ePub3 can only be read on eReader?

Kaetrin · 08-24-2014, 06:06 AM

Hi, I bought a book this week from Kobo. I usually buy from the site and transfer the file to my reader via Calibre rather than direct to the device. After I bought the book there was no download option in my Kobo library so I logged a help call.

They then told me that they'd put the book back in my library and to re-sync my reader. There was still no download option at the website but when I re-synced my reader the book was there. When I plugged the reader into the PC however it was not showing on the hard drive of the reader. Even after I disabled the wi-fi again, the book was still there (as far as I could tell by looking at the first few pages) but it wasn't showing up as a file I could move to my hard drive and import into Calibre.

I could see the file in Calibre as being on my device however and I could open it via Calibre in Adobe DE but I couldn't save it.

I went back to the Kobo help people and told them my issue and that I wanted to be able to d/l the book to my PC for backup purposes. They've got back to me to say the book is in ePub3 and cannot be downloaded to a PC; that it can only be read on my ereader.

Effectively, this means that I can't use Calibre or back up my purchase etc.

I've asked Kobo to delete the book from my library and give me a refund. I'll buy it from Amazon (if I buy it again at all) because I'm not happy about not being able to have a book I bought available to me on the device of my choice.

Anyone else had an issue with ePub3? Or are Kobo just messing with me? Does anyone know how to tell whether a book is ePub3 before you buy?

DiapDealer · 08-24-2014, 06:59 AM

It's a kepub-only ebook. That's Kobo's proprietary epub-ish format. They can't be downloaded and transferred the way an Adobe DRM EPUB can. The fact that it's epub3 isn't the real problem. You'd have the same problem with an epub2 Kobo kepub.

Get in the habit of sending the preview of an ebook you're thinking about buying to your Kobo library first (on the website). Then if you go to your library and you don't see the words "Adobe DRM epub" (or DRM-free epub) anywhere, then chances are that it's a kepub-only ebook--and there won't be a download button if you buy it. You get those books by syncing them to a kobo device or a kobo reading app.

Kaetrin · 08-24-2014, 07:03 AM

Oh, that's interesting. That's the first time I've come across it. I'll be safe if I send a preview to my library and it says it's a DRM ePub or DRM-free epub? If it says nothing steer clear?

They don't make it easy to buy from them do they? Between the poor customer service and this rubbish they push me more and more to other retailers, especially Amazon.

DiapDealer · 08-24-2014, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaetrin

I'll be safe if I send a preview to my library and it says it's a DRM ePub or DRM-free epub? If it says nothing steer clear?

It's probably not 100%, but I've yet to run into trouble by sticking to that rule. It says "Download options: Adobe DRM EPUB" Or "Download options: DRM-free EPUB" (even though the preview can't actually be downloaded/transferred). I've included pictures -- one of a sample that I'd expect to have no trouble with should I choose to buy, and one that turned out to be kepub-only.

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The "Download options" is usually missing entirely (in my experience) from kepub-only books

Quote:

Oh, that's interesting. That's the first time I've come across it.

It used to be pretty rare to run into a book that was ONLY offfered in the kepub format. Most of the time both are available (kepub for syncing with Kobo devices/apps, and epub for download and transfer). I'm not certain what (or who) decides a book should only be offered in the proprietary format, but I do know its seems to be happening more and more (but it's still not what I would call "common").

JSWolf · 08-24-2014, 05:12 PM

delete post

Kaetrin · 08-24-2014, 08:25 PM

Thank you. I will give that a try. It's a pain but they have good coupons.

I asked about it on Twitter last night. Nate from The Digital Reader was saying that KePub isn't supposed to be allowed "into the wild" and he tweeted a developer at Kobo to let him know to fix it.

I'm relieved that it's a KePub thing and not an ePub3 thing though.

JSWolf · 08-24-2014, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaetrin

Thank you. I will give that a try. It's a pain but they have good coupons.

I asked about it on Twitter last night. Nate from The Digital Reader was saying that KePub isn't supposed to be allowed "into the wild" and he tweeted a developer at Kobo to let him know to fix it.

I'm relieved that it's a KePub thing and not an ePub3 thing though.

So how do you fix it?

Kaetrin · 08-24-2014, 11:45 PM

I gather that it's something Kobo have to do at their end. I've asked for a refund and for them to take the book off my reader as I don't want any books in this format.

I don't think there's anything *I* can do with the KePub format.

08-24-2014, 06:06 AM	#1
Kaetrin Connoisseur Posts: 82 Karma: 9402 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Device: Kobo Libra Colour	ePub3 can only be read on eReader? Hi, I bought a book this week from Kobo. I usually buy from the site and transfer the file to my reader via Calibre rather than direct to the device. After I bought the book there was no download option in my Kobo library so I logged a help call. They then told me that they'd put the book back in my library and to re-sync my reader. There was still no download option at the website but when I re-synced my reader the book was there. When I plugged the reader into the PC however it was not showing on the hard drive of the reader. Even after I disabled the wi-fi again, the book was still there (as far as I could tell by looking at the first few pages) but it wasn't showing up as a file I could move to my hard drive and import into Calibre. I could see the file in Calibre as being on my device however and I could open it via Calibre in Adobe DE but I couldn't save it. I went back to the Kobo help people and told them my issue and that I wanted to be able to d/l the book to my PC for backup purposes. They've got back to me to say the book is in ePub3 and cannot be downloaded to a PC; that it can only be read on my ereader. Effectively, this means that I can't use Calibre or back up my purchase etc. I've asked Kobo to delete the book from my library and give me a refund. I'll buy it from Amazon (if I buy it again at all) because I'm not happy about not being able to have a book I bought available to me on the device of my choice. Anyone else had an issue with ePub3? Or are Kobo just messing with me? Does anyone know how to tell whether a book is ePub3 before you buy?

08-24-2014, 05:12 PM	#5
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,758 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	delete post Last edited by JSWolf; 08-24-2014 at 05:15 PM.

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08-24-2014, 06:59 AM	#2
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 28,574 Karma: 204127028 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	It's a kepub-only ebook. That's Kobo's proprietary epub-ish format. They can't be downloaded and transferred the way an Adobe DRM EPUB can. The fact that it's epub3 isn't the real problem. You'd have the same problem with an epub2 Kobo kepub. Get in the habit of sending the preview of an ebook you're thinking about buying to your Kobo library first (on the website). Then if you go to your library and you don't see the words "Adobe DRM epub" (or DRM-free epub) anywhere, then chances are that it's a kepub-only ebook--and there won't be a download button if you buy it. You get those books by syncing them to a kobo device or a kobo reading app.

08-24-2014, 07:03 AM	#3
Kaetrin Connoisseur Posts: 82 Karma: 9402 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Device: Kobo Libra Colour	Oh, that's interesting. That's the first time I've come across it. I'll be safe if I send a preview to my library and it says it's a DRM ePub or DRM-free epub? If it says nothing steer clear? They don't make it easy to buy from them do they? Between the poor customer service and this rubbish they push me more and more to other retailers, especially Amazon.

08-24-2014, 08:25 PM	#6
Kaetrin Connoisseur Posts: 82 Karma: 9402 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Device: Kobo Libra Colour	Thank you. I will give that a try. It's a pain but they have good coupons. I asked about it on Twitter last night. Nate from The Digital Reader was saying that KePub isn't supposed to be allowed "into the wild" and he tweeted a developer at Kobo to let him know to fix it. I'm relieved that it's a KePub thing and not an ePub3 thing though.

08-24-2014, 11:45 PM	#8
Kaetrin Connoisseur Posts: 82 Karma: 9402 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Device: Kobo Libra Colour	I gather that it's something Kobo have to do at their end. I've asked for a refund and for them to take the book off my reader as I don't want any books in this format. I don't think there's anything I can do with the KePub format.

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