e-reader in Italy

[zagor]

I've just registered to this forum, after reading throughly for wuite a bit. So, first of all, thanks to everybody for all the -already available and numerous- suggestions.

I'm in a position similar to these two posts: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=167385 and https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...44#post1949944.
But I'm in Italy, which is way behind the rest of the civilized world as for the ereaders.

Amazon has just arrived (with an old generation kindle) in Italy, over Christmas.
E-readers in Italy are at least "uncommon", if not definitely rare.

I read quite a bit in english, and I was thinking of getting an ebook reader to prevent my library of filling up with english books I'm the only one in the family to read....

In Italy, the few major bookstore where ebooks can be found sell mostly Adobe DRM books, mostly in Italian. Few libraries are also starting lending books, most probably with Adobe DRM, mostly in Italian. As for the English books, instead, I mostly rely on amazon (.com, .uk).

The (physical) stores almost do not sell e-readers, so I can't go and check in person, feel the form facto in the hands and so on.

So far for the forewords.

All this given, I need an e-reader as follows:
1. compatible with amazon-purchsed ebooks AND Adobe DRM e-pub
2. long lasting battery life
3. not annoying page refresh (I'm quite scared by that black flashing during refresh, which in my understanding is every page for the T1, while can be set between 1 and 6 for all other readers)
4. wifi
5. linux-compatible management (i.e. comaptible with calibre)
6. touch screen (sounds like an overall more physical experience which might retain some of the so-nice sensation of a physical book)

Not an issue to get USA-only devices here (i.e. Kindle touch or Nook) After reading and watching reviews and suggestions, my possible choices are cut down to:

A. Kindle Touch
B. Sony PRS-T1
C. Kobo Touch

A. seems the easiest to go, especially being in Italy, where ebooks are uncommmon. Unfortunately does not allow DRM ePubs (which is not a "must have", but definitely would be nice)

C. seems nice, but the bad support is scaring, especially when joined to a foreign country.... and it cuts out amazon books.

B. seems the best all-purpose thing, for I can root it and let it run the kindle app. But does it make sense to use a T1 to "emulate" a kindle? Also, as said, I'm dubious on the page refresh at each page, but I like the (limited) browsing smoothness and the pdf rendering. And the rooting possibility. The reflecting/shiny sides seem terribly annoying. And it seems less comfortable to carry around, as for the form factor.

So, thanks for reading a so long text.
Any advice appreciated.

[susan_cassidy]

There is no reader available that is compatible with both Amazon DRM and Adobe DRM, except something like an iPad, where you can install different apps.

Don't worry about the flash. You will soon adapt so that you blink during the refresh, and don't even notice it.

[andyh2000]

Originally Posted by susan_cassidy

Don't worry about the flash. You will soon adapt so that you blink during the refresh, and don't even notice it.

I don't understand why people are bothered by the "flash". As it's not emitting light it's not really a flash anyway, just the screen going black very briefly. And you can't read a paper book while you're turning the page either...

Andrew

[zagor]

Originally Posted by andyh2000

I don't understand why people are bothered by the "flash".

when you have never had hold in hand an e-reader and you just see it in video review on youtube, that black refresh seems terribly annoying. it sounds like you're quickly going to regret the time when you were still reading paper-books...

myabe it's not a real issue, but is defintiely a concern....!

thanks for answering!

[Prestidigitweeze]

Originally Posted by susan_cassidy

There is no reader available that is compatible with both Amazon DRM and Adobe DRM, except something like an iPad, where you can install different apps.

Not so. You can root an Android reader and install the Kindle app on it as well. An iPad is the best option for pdfs, not cross-platform reading.

Here's a vid of a rooted T1 running the Kindle app, if you require evidence. The refreshes do seem annoying running straight Android as an OS, but that's a different scenario than straight reading.

Here's a comparison between the Nook ST and T1 rooted. I prefer both readers to the Kindle Touch, and the SD card slot is not only convenient for storage but helpful for rooting.

Don't worry about the flash. You will soon adapt so that you blink during the refresh, and don't even notice it.

There we agree. Videos on youtube can make the most trivial aspects of a device seem quite dramatic, but when you actually use a T1 or Nook ST, the page refreshes don't matter at all.

Can't speak on the Kobo, since, to be fair, I've never used it.