Switching to an eBook's new edition

[shhs]

I once obtained a free Kobo book for my library. Now, I would like to read the updated version. I have tried removing it from the library and then re-requesting it (but, this time, the more current edition). But when it is placed back into my library, it is the same original edition. Apparently, even when I remove it from my library, info about the original edition is still being stored for me, somewhere, in case I ever want it again.

Any ideas on how I can get the more up-to-date version instead?

[RobertJSawyer]

I ran into this problem with one of my own books and complained about it directly to Kobo. They said they ALWAYS serve up the originally purchased version to customers, even if they redownload; there's no way to get the revised version. Their rationale was that users who have made annotations are better off this way.

Amazon's Kindles work the opposite way: if you redownload, you get the latest version -- which is a much better approach, I think.

[MGlitch]

Originally Posted by RobertJSawyer

I ran into this problem with one of my own books and complained about it directly to Kobo. They said they ALWAYS serve up the originally purchased version to customers, even if they redownload; there's no way to get the revised version. Their rationale was that users who have made annotations are better off this way.

Amazon's Kindles work the opposite way: if you redownload, you get the latest version -- which is a much better approach, I think.

Odd since I bought the complete Malazan book of the fallen ebook from Kobo, it was riddled with errors and when a revised edition was made available I was able to snag it from Kobo by removing and redownloading it. Not sure if that’s because it’s just the errors being corrected or what vs possibly new content being added. I suspect it’s more in the publishers hands rather than just Kobo or Amazon.

[davidfor]

As @RobertJSawyer said, it is related to what you might have done with the book and Kobo not wanting to break you annotations or reading status. But, you are supposed to be able to contact Kobo and ask to have it updated. Hopefully Kobo have that as a standard support request so that they know what to do when asked.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by RobertJSawyer

Amazon's Kindles work the opposite way: if you redownload, you get the latest version -- which is a much better approach, I think.

No, Amazon only does that if the Publisher requests it and Amazon agree it's not a significant change, but only fixing formatting, punctuation, spelling and minor grammar changes per sentence/paragraph.

It's not at all automatic. I've tested it using a separate kindle account to my own. If Amazon decides the changes are major, then they won't do it and may even want it with a different ASIN. Major changes are any change of character name, story, deletions, additions, plot or ending.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by MGlitch

I suspect it’s more in the publishers hands rather than just Kobo or Amazon.

Yes, with the seller agreement. Neither can unilaterally do it on Amazon.

Smashwords lets a user download a new version and all the old versions up to the version they originally published, not no older.

I've no idea what Google Playbooks via playstore does.

Kobo, Apple, Barnes&Noble and Scribd can be distributed direct from the publisher, or Smashwords can distribute to them and Overdrive. I've also no idea if a reader can get an updated version from Kobo, Apple, Barnes&Noble Scribd or Overdrive when Smashwords is effectively the wholesale.

Best to buy titles direct from Smashwords, if available, then you can download all later versions always.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by davidfor

As @RobertJSawyer said, it is related to what you might have done with the book and Kobo not wanting to break you annotations or reading status. But, you are supposed to be able to contact Kobo and ask to have it updated. Hopefully Kobo have that as a standard support request so that they know what to do when asked.

I find that very annoying. A lot of eBooks get updated and there's no way to know other then to download and compare to the copy you already have. If you don't know the eBook has been updated, you won't know to request Kobo replace the eBook with the latest version. When I download the eBook I want the current version.

So if I called Kobo and asked them to replace all the eBooks in my Kobo library with the current versions, would they do that?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Quoth

No, Amazon only does that if the Publisher requests it and Amazon agree it's not a significant change, but only fixing formatting, punctuation, spelling and minor grammar changes per sentence/paragraph.

It's not at all automatic. I've tested it using a separate kindle account to my own. If Amazon decides the changes are major, then they won't do it and may even want it with a different ASIN. Major changes are any change of character name, story, deletions, additions, plot or ending.

If there are changes to the story, that tome is a different edition. If there are changes to the cover, errors corrected, or formatting/code changes, then that is a new version that we should get from Kobo without asking.

[John F]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

If there are changes to the story, that tome is a different edition. If there are changes to the cover, errors corrected, or formatting/code changes, then that is a new version that we should get from Kobo without asking.

As far as errors, I would like it to be optional; we sometimes highlight and annotate, and we may not want to lose them. As far as changes to the cover and formatting, I would say it is Up to the publisher.

Unless there is something in the license.

IMO

[Skydog]

Originally Posted by John F

As far as errors, I would like it to be optional; we sometimes highlight and annotate, and we may not want to lose them. As far as changes to the cover and formatting, I would say it is Up to the publisher.

Unless there is something in the license.

IMO

Amazon offers an option to update (or not), I would think Kobo could as well.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by John F

As far as errors, I would like it to be optional; we sometimes highlight and annotate, and we may not want to lose them. As far as changes to the cover and formatting, I would say it is Up to the publisher.

Unless there is something in the license.

IMO

A new version with corrections can screw up my highlights as I only highlight when I find error(s).

[PeterT]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

A new version with corrections can screw up my highlights as I only highlight when I find error(s).

But Jon; I thought you editted all your books to your own standards, so I doubt that even if Kobo did automatically replace books you'd bought with newer versions, that you'd have any issues.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

So if I called Kobo and asked them to replace all the eBooks in my Kobo library with the current versions, would they do that?

I have absolutely no idea. But, please tell us after you do it.

I mean, you are actually going to do it seeing as you so obviously think it is important.

[MGlitch]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

A new version with corrections can screw up my highlights as I only highlight when I find error(s).

What if they fixed all the errors you found, you wouldn’t need the highlights anymore and they’d be gone.

[alehel]

Originally Posted by Skydog

Amazon offers an option to update (or not), I would think Kobo could as well.

Sound like the best way to do it. Default to giving people the version they bought, but also have an option somewhere to "update" their edition, along with an appropriate warning.