Kindle for PC is there - Page 10

JSWolf · 11-11-2009, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madam Broshkina

I assume that if you are able to download and register for a Barnes and Noble account anyone could read BN books with the software installed. I have not purchased any books from BN just downloaded their free books.

The BN software seems much more polished then the new Kindle app. You have the ability to read the books in one page mode or in two page mode much like an actual book. Another feature I like is the ability to auto scroll the text. You can just sit and watch the screen as the text scrolls down the screen. This only works in one page view.

That formatting pictured abovr is obsolete. It was designed for a small screen such as a cell phone or palm pilot. It's not good for large screens. Plus, a lot of eReader books with graphics have tiny graphics. It's an obsolete format who's time has come and gone.

Sweetpea · 11-11-2009, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

That formatting pictured abovr is obsolete. It was designed for a small screen such as a cell phone or palm pilot. It's not good for large screens. Plus, a lot of eReader books with graphics have tiny graphics. It's an obsolete format who's time has come and gone.

Have you even looked at it? I wouldn't want two pages on my small PDA screen... But I don't like reading text on a full 1920 screen either. So, making two pages would help reading on a large PC monitor and would be a major no-no for a small screen.

JSWolf · 11-11-2009, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

Have you even looked at it? I wouldn't want two pages on my small PDA screen... But I don't like reading text on a full 1920 screen either. So, making two pages would help reading on a large PC monitor and would be a major no-no for a small screen.

The two pages are for a larger screen. But the format on each page is the old eReader format. It's not nice to read that on a large screen. And the graphics can very well be an issue. I've seen eReader books that have had maps that are way to small to read and zooming in does nothing to help.

Sweetpea · 11-11-2009, 09:23 AM

Actually, I find that nicer to read than what mobipocket or Adobe offers on the large screen... So, let's put it on the "people's tastes differ" stack.

Shiren · 11-11-2009, 09:46 AM

"Kindle for PC is not currently available in Canada." What a surprise! *rolls eyes*...

wallcraft · 11-11-2009, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The two pages are for a larger screen. But the format on each page is the old eReader format. It's not nice to read that on a large screen. And the graphics can very well be an issue. I've seen eReader books that have had maps that are way to small to read and zooming in does nothing to help.

See A Comparison of format limitations based on The Hobbit which illustrates that eReader ebooks are usually more simply styled than other common formats and that graphics are a major issue. However, the Windows eReader (or B&N) app is one of the very best Readers for the desktop. It will be interesting to see how quickly B&N upgrades it to support ePub.

JSWolf · 11-11-2009, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallcraft

See A Comparison of format limitations based on The Hobbit which illustrates that eReader ebooks are usually more simply styled than other common formats and that graphics are a major issue. However, the Windows eReader (or B&N) app is one of the very best Readers for the desktop. It will be interesting to see how quickly B&N upgrades it to support ePub.

And the eReader maps are just a mess. Why would anyone still want to support such an obsolete format is beyond me.

luqmaninbmore · 11-11-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

And the eReader maps are just a mess. Why would anyone still want to support such an obsolete format is beyond me.

Because the DRM is the least onerous there is? I'm having problems with my Adobe account running out of activation slots. This is a non-issue with eReader. On the vast majority of books that I've purchased, the graphical limitations are irrelevant. The only one I can think of that annoyed me was my copy of the Children of Huirin which had an annoyingly pixelated map (the Way of Shadows was a bit annoying too). But with a 5 percent cheaper price when I pick eReader from ficitonwise, I'm willing to live with it.

Luqman

tufrostie · 11-11-2009, 11:54 AM

I actually prefer to read in 2 page mode on my computer. I like the B&N ereader program because it lets me change the color of the page. I change mine to parchment with a nice soft color and it is much easier on the eyes than the glaring white that can get to you after a time. I downloaded Amazons last night and bought a book to try it out and did not like that I could not change it from the white pages and also did not care for the one page mode. It does not fill a laptop screen, just kinda site in the middle. JMO though, everyone has their preferences.

Hellmark · 11-11-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llreader

The only good reason I can see is that there is pressure from publishers. Amazon already has better prices and more mindshare than the competition. If they offered the EPUB format, most of their competition would be crushed. It doesn't make sense to shut out customers.

The Kindle can continue to compete based on quality and features. Even if it dies, Amazon will still make more money than they would with a closed system. The Kindle will have served its purpose by creating the initial market and following.

Depends on their profit margins for books and readers. Most likely they profit more on the readers, and are merely using the books to help push reader sales (similar to Apple using iTunes to push iPod sales).

llreader · 11-11-2009, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hellmark

Depends on their profit margins for books and readers. Most likely they profit more on the readers, and are merely using the books to help push reader sales (similar to Apple using iTunes to push iPod sales).

Hmm. Seems like a big mistake to me, if that is what they are doing (and I don't think they are). Apple is a hardware company, always has been. Amazon is an online retailer. They make their money by selling things cheaper and more conveniently than other retailers. I don't see why Amazon would decide on a whole new business model now, without a hardware brand, and without control over their suppliers. Apple has these things.

It especially makes no sense since there are lots of players in the market wth plenty of experience (Sony, for example, who have been in the hardware business for decades). People go to Amazon for books, and some other stuff. They don't go for Amazon-branded books, or Amazon hardware, or anything like that.

Besides, I doubt that they are selling enough Kindles for that market to be worth more than, essentially, the lion's share of the ebook market, which is theirs if they want it.

As an aside, if Amazon is selling the Kindle for less than most of the other big ebook readers, and making lots of profit, there is something really wrong with the ereader market.

=X= · 11-11-2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

While the VAT on electronic books is annoying, it's not the major problem with the Kindle store in the EU and elsewhere.
It's the $2 extra added to the ebook cost.
It's added to free ebooks too, so 'free' books in the UK Amazon store cost $2.30 = $2 + 15% VAT.

I just think its not right for folks having to pay a 15% tax for a book electronic or not. Its not the $2 I'm referring to either a 15% vat makes buying books expensive. Most books I buy are between $25-$50. I dunno if folks are okay with paying these high taxes I guess it okay. I don't think that level of taxation would beTolerated in the states

BearMountainBooks · 11-11-2009, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by =X=

I just think its not right for folks having to pay a 15% tax for a book electronic or not. Its not the $2 I'm referring to either a 15% vat makes buying books expensive. Most books I buy are between $25-$50. I dunno if folks are okay with paying these high taxes I guess it okay. I don't think that level of taxation would beTolerated in the states

I'm guessing it is just like here in the states. The body of government "Decides" it needs revenue and takes it. Sure you can vote them out of office, but once the tax is in place, how many marches would it take to get rid of it??? I don't see too many taxes being repealed--anywhere, whether people like it or not.

Jellby · 11-11-2009, 03:37 PM

I'm not against taxes, I'm against taxes not being included in the price.

fugazied · 11-11-2009, 05:40 PM

Boo, mac version "coming soon".
Looks like it works well though! This might help their bottom line a lot with ebook sales!

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11-11-2009, 09:23 AM	#139
Sweetpea Grand Sorcerer Posts: 9,707 Karma: 32763414 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Krewerd Device: Pocketbook Inkpad 4 Color; Samsung Galaxy Tab S6	Actually, I find that nicer to read than what mobipocket or Adobe offers on the large screen... So, let's put it on the "people's tastes differ" stack.

11-11-2009, 09:46 AM	#140
Shiren Connoisseur Posts: 70 Karma: 712 Join Date: Dec 2008 Device: Sony PRS-505/iPod Touch	"Kindle for PC is not currently available in Canada." What a surprise! rolls eyes...

11-11-2009, 11:54 AM	#144
tufrostie Enthusiast Posts: 30 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Oregon Device: ebookwise 1100, PocketBook 360	I actually prefer to read in 2 page mode on my computer. I like the B&N ereader program because it lets me change the color of the page. I change mine to parchment with a nice soft color and it is much easier on the eyes than the glaring white that can get to you after a time. I downloaded Amazons last night and bought a book to try it out and did not like that I could not change it from the white pages and also did not care for the one page mode. It does not fill a laptop screen, just kinda site in the middle. JMO though, everyone has their preferences.

11-11-2009, 03:37 PM	#149
Jellby frumious Bandersnatch Posts: 7,570 Karma: 20150435 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Spaniard in Sweden Device: Cybook Orizon, Kobo Aura	I'm not against taxes, I'm against taxes not being included in the price.

11-11-2009, 05:40 PM	#150
fugazied Wizard Posts: 1,305 Karma: 1958 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: iPod Touch	Boo, mac version "coming soon". Looks like it works well though! This might help their bottom line a lot with ebook sales!