E-Readers: What 's Hot for 2008 and Why??

[igorsk]

Originally Posted by Aaida

Kindle support will be released worldwide soon enough, though.

Hmm, you've got some info we don't know about?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

No, but I believe that purchaser would know that. They can still by Mobi books from Fictionwise once they get their Kindles' PID using Igor's scripts.

Are you sure? I thought that all stores using the Mobi DRM server (which includes FW) specifically blocked Kindle PIDs.

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Are you sure? I thought that all stores using the Mobi DRM server (which includes FW) specifically blocked Kindle PIDs.

They have a whole Kindle FAQ at Fictionwise and a set-up that will allow them to Whispernet content to the Kindle by making them one of the approved email addresses.

BTW, I haven't it yet.

Edit: From the FAQ

Why Doesn't Fictionwise Sell All Titles for Kindle?

We would love to, but Amazon.com has made a business decision that keeps any other eBook retailer from selling Secure eBooks that require DRM encryption for Kindle. Unless Amazon changes this policy, we can offer our Multiformat eBooks but not our Secure eBooks for Kindle.

[HarryT]

That's talking about DRM-free "Multiformat" books in Mobi format, Daffy. They can certainly be used on the Kindle. What Bob is saying is the "secure Mobi" books can be purchased by Fictionwise using a Kindle PID. I was not aware that this could be done.

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Are you sure? I thought that all stores using the Mobi DRM server (which includes FW) specifically blocked Kindle PIDs.

Last time I checked, it looked like the PIDs were blocked somewhere before the DRM server. I thought the PIDs were being blocked in one of the webserver.

I now have a bigger body of DRMed Mobipocket to test. I'll try them all and report back.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by HarryT

That's talking about DRM-free "Multiformat" books in Mobi format, Daffy. They can certainly be used on the Kindle. What Bob is saying is the "secure Mobi" books can be purchased by Fictionwise using a Kindle PID. I was not aware that this could be done.

I could be mistaken, but I was going by someone on this forum that said Fictionwise was one of the places that did not block the Kindles PID. Something about it using the overdrive encryption servers.

I have not actually tried it myself since I still get the LIT so I can put the book on my Sony too. But, I will probably get a second Kindle and stop buying from Fictionwise.

If I am wrong I certainly apologize and didn't mean to spread bad info.

BOb

[Nate the great]

Originally Posted by Nate the great

Last time I checked, it looked like the PIDs were blocked somewhere before the DRM server. I thought the PIDs were being blocked in one of the webserver.

I now have a bigger body of DRMed Mobipocket to test. I'll try them all and report back.

I just downloaded again all 47 DRMed Mobipocket ebooks I've bought from Fictionwise.I put them though igorsk conversion process, and they all work on my Kindle. I also checked these titles on BooksOnBoard, and according to BOB at least 16 titles come from Mobipocket DRM servers. If I had purchased these titles from BOB or direct from Mobipocket, they would not work on my Kindle. And yet they do. I have a theory about this, and it has little to do with the DRM server.

Back when I wrote the Beginner's Guide, I tried all the ebook stores that I could find through Mobi Desktop. Most treated the Kindle PID exactly the same as Mobipocket; they dropped the asterisk. This is interesting because I had not bought any ebooks; I simply set up an account. There is a good chance that all these sites were running account management software provided by Mobipocket that specifically deleted the asterisk when it is entered as a PID. Note, this happens before an ebook is purchased.

I think Fictionwise got the account management software somewhere else, and this could be why it's different.

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by HarryT

That's talking about DRM-free "Multiformat" books in Mobi format, Daffy. They can certainly be used on the Kindle. What Bob is saying is the "secure Mobi" books can be purchased by Fictionwise using a Kindle PID. I was not aware that this could be done.

What I posted was agreeing with you based on what was in the Fictionwise FAQ about not offering secure formatted books for the Kindle. But I see by the following posts that the FAQ is not necessarily correct.

[HarryT]

Interesting. Thanks, Nate!

Bob - it's BooksOnBoard who offer "overdrive" Mobi books as well as books using the MobiPocket DRM server. AFAIK, FictionWise exclusively use Mobi's DRM server.

Like you, however, I prefer to buy LIT books and convert them. Saves a lot of hassle that way should one change device in the future.

[Jelis]

Aaida, I was very interested in the Kindle too, I live partly in France, partly in the Far East so I wouldn't be able to use the Whispernet. I have 2 children living in the US so buying content would have been possible. I always liked Amazon, but I do not like this 'exclusively US policy' they have adopted for the time being.
Then the Kindle is only in its infancy, I prefer to wait and see what Amazon will do next, policy, content and reader.
I did want a reader though, had been waiting long enough for things to get better. After reading this thread and others extensively I decided on the Sony prs 505.
I am very happy with it, there is more than enough content for it, for my reading taste at least, much of it here right on this site. to all the ebook creators here!
My only regret: the lack of a built-in dictionary. The Cybook has that, I didn't fully appreciate the importance of that aspect.
Have fun deciding, buying and then owning a reader. It's a great experience. Reading with many plusses.

Jelis