Bit like Beta v VHS

[viviena]

Originally Posted by druggist61

Thanks all for the feedback, will have a look at the Sony and try and see a Nook.
Sony looks good with its extra memory availability, perhaps I'll wait and see if Coles group bring out an opponent to Kindle before Christmas.

I don't understand your opposition to Woolworths, but you can already check out a Kobo or Sony at JB HiFi, the latter also at a Sony Centre. If for whatever reason you really want to wait for an ereader sold by a Coles-owned brand, the Kobo will be sold at Officeworks in a month.

[The Terminator]

Originally Posted by Kevin8or

For example, I tried a relative's Kobo reader, and it felt heavier, with squared edges, compared to the Kindle. I preferred the Kindle.

The Kobo is actually lighter. All version of the Kobo have been lighter than the Kindle. And the Kobo Touch is a lot lighter (2 ounces lighter than keyboard, 1 ounce lighter than Kindle Touch).

[avantman42]

Originally Posted by SmokeAndMirrors

Kindle has a habit of deciding to change their format every few years and render all previous generations of ereaders useless in reading the new format. They're doing it right now for what I believe is the 2nd or 3rd time.

It's true that old readers won't display the shiny new features of the new format, but old readers will still be able to get the same books that brand-new readers can. As I understand it, a new version of ePub is in the works. Presumably old ePub readers won't be able to display the shiny new features of the new ePub format, either.

[Andrew H.]

Originally Posted by SmokeAndMirrors

If I go the MOBI route, things get considerably more complicated. The only device that reads my files is Kindle, and Kindle's apps. However, Kindle has a habit of deciding to change their format every few years and render all previous generations of ereaders useless in reading the new format. They're doing it right now for what I believe is the 2nd or 3rd time.

That this is wrong has been pointed out multiple times on the forums now. Kindle users will continue to be able to buy books, even in kf8 format, and read them as they can now. This is stated explicitly here:

Q: Will I have to provide two versions of my titles going forward?
A: No. The upcoming updates to our Kindle Publishing Tools will take care of this for you. KindleGen 2 will convert your content so that it works on all Kindle devices and apps. You will be able to preview how your title will look on the range of Kindle devices and apps using Kindle Previewer 2.

As to your other point: a previous Kindle has *never* been rendered unusable due to a format change. Not 2 or 3 times. Never.

[J. Strnad]

I also recommend placing a priority on look and feel of the reader. You'll spend much more time holding it and reading than you will downloading. If you can find readers to hold and look at and turn the pages, you'll probably develop a preference pretty quickly.

[Keryl Raist]

I'd suggest getting a small, inexpensive netbook, and then downloading all the aps on it. You don't have to worry about having VHS or Beta because there's an ap for both, and you can read both on your netbook. (Plus do everything you do on a regular computer.)

[Kevin8or]

Mea Culpa. The OP asked about formats, and I sent things in the direction of "how to choose an e-reader." I was feeling sorta punchy last night, posting all over mobile reads. I was enjoying the pleasure of a good argument. Don't know what got into me.

Of course, I prefer open standards and DRM-free stores. (Don't we all?) And it does make sense to put our dollars behind our principles, when we're in a position to do so. (The reason I bought a Kindle is a story of its own.) I don't disavow my advice, but the OP's request wasn't, "Help me choose an e-reader."

So, I'd like to tip my hat to SmokeAndMirrors for fighting the good fight against domineering proprietary nastiness.

Originally Posted by The Terminator

The Kobo is actually lighter. All version of the Kobo have been lighter than the Kindle.

Well, well. Isn't the mind a peculiar thing? It felt heavier to me. I didn't have a Kindle at hand, so it was a comparison with my memory.

[SmokeAndMirrors]

Originally Posted by avantman42

It's true that old readers won't display the shiny new features of the new format, but old readers will still be able to get the same books that brand-new readers can. As I understand it, a new version of ePub is in the works. Presumably old ePub readers won't be able to display the shiny new features of the new ePub format, either.

Kindle hasn't been clear on that, and I don't think it's safe to assume that given their history.

It has, however, been quite blatantly stated that Epub3 readers will be backwards compatible, and that making the main content of Epub3 viewable in Epub2 readers is a simple software update.

[SmokeAndMirrors]

Originally Posted by Andrew H.

That this is wrong has been pointed out multiple times on the forums now. Kindle users will continue to be able to buy books, even in kf8 format, and read them as they can now. This is stated explicitly here:


As to your other point: a previous Kindle has *never* been rendered unusable due to a format change. Not 2 or 3 times. Never.

Once again, you're quoting a question about publishing, not reading. They have only said that their latest gen readers will support KF8.

Kindle has dropped support for file formats and left a whole lot of customers out to dry when the newer Kindles wouldn't read that format.

[Andrew H.]

Originally Posted by SmokeAndMirrors

Once again, you're quoting a question about publishing, not reading. They have only said that their latest gen readers will support KF8.

It does not matter that the question was about publishing. Amazon says, clearly: "KindleGen 2 will convert your content so that it works on all Kindle devices and apps." What is it about "all Kindle devices and apps" that you can't understand.

Kindle has dropped support for file formats and left a whole lot of customers out to dry when the newer Kindles wouldn't read that format.

Amazon's (and the Kindle's) only formats have been Topaz and mobi. Amazon has never dropped support for either of these (as much as one might dislike Topaz).

[SmokeAndMirrors]

Originally Posted by Andrew H.

It does not matter that the question was about publishing. Amazon says, clearly: "KindleGen 2 will convert your content so that it works on all Kindle devices and apps." What is it about "all Kindle devices and apps" that you can't understand.


Amazon's (and the Kindle's) only formats have been Topaz and mobi. Amazon has never dropped support for either of these (as much as one might dislike Topaz).

Read more carefully. KF8 is intended to replace Mobi. Next-gen Kindle probably won't support Mobi at all. And last-gen Kindle won't support KF8. But *most* Kindle-owners have a last-gen Kindle.

They may be implying a short period of dual-conversion, but this is irrelevant when one's existing collection won't work on their next device, or their future options won't work on their current device.

[caleb72]

Originally Posted by SmokeAndMirrors

Read more carefully. KF8 is intended to replace Mobi. Next-gen Kindle probably won't support Mobi at all. And last-gen Kindle won't support KF8. But *most* Kindle-owners have a last-gen Kindle.

From Amazon official FAQ:

Q: Will my existing Mobi files still work on Kindle e-ink devices and apps?
A: Yes. All currently supported content will continue to work. Information on how to update your existing titles to take advantage of new capabilities in KF8 will be in the new Kindle Publishing Guidelines, available soon.

Of course I couldn't say if this would be the case forever, but this seems to indicate that Amzon still want their devices to be compatible with the previous formats.