Consumer Reports: Nook Beats The Kindle

[Sil_liS]

Originally Posted by Namekuseijin

so, I assume the best option is to have a multipurpose device where you can simply download or pay for the required software and be done with it? Like my smartphone, where I have ePub readers, a Kindle app, a Nook app etc?

Exactly. At least from my point of view. There are people who insist that the only way to go is to have only one format for ebooks.

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by Sil_liS

You have an ebook, the software to open the ebook and the device to read it on. The ability to open DRM'd files is in the software. Amazon locks the kindle by not having software to open epub. B&N locks the new nook from kindle books by not having the software to open mobi, but keeps it open to other epub vendors, and I think that nook color can (or can be made to) open mobi. Sony locks their readers from all others by having software that only opens their DRM, if I understood correctly what SleepyBob wrote.

Amazon DRM locks the books to kindle software.

Why is so difficult to understand for some ...

The ability to open an ebook format depends of the hardware. But if the file itself, regardless of the format, has been locked via DRM, you won't be able to open it without breaking the DRM encryption. It has nothing to do with the format, is the DRM encryption.

Amazon does not lock you on anything. You can buy whatever book you want on mobi format (without DRM) and read it. The same goes for ePub. We can read via Calibre conversion as long as the book has no DRM on it.

I have a lot of DRM free books that I bought from O'reilly and other online stores different than Amazon. I also downloaded just a couple (very rare) that I found on ePub format but DRM free; I convert via Calibre and I enjoy on my Kindle.

Where are not constrained to Amazon, we just prefer and buy from Amazon because is cheaper and they have a huge selection. I can't find my computer books on B&N or Sony store. ePub does nothing for me, I don't want a format, I want a book!

[boswd]

Originally Posted by jocampo

Why is so difficult to understand for some ...

The ability to open an ebook format depends of the hardware. But if the file itself, regardless of the format, has been locked via DRM, you won't be able to open it without breaking the DRM encryption. It has nothing to do with the format, is the DRM encryption.

Amazon does not lock you on anything. You can buy whatever book you want on mobi format (without DRM) and read it. The same goes for ePub. We can read via Calibre conversion as long as the book has no DRM on it.

I have a lot of DRM free books that I bought from O'reilly and other online stores different than Amazon. I also downloaded just a couple (very rare) that I found on ePub format but DRM free; I convert via Calibre and I enjoy on my Kindle.

Where are not constrained to Amazon, we just prefer and buy from Amazon because is cheaper and they have a huge selection. I can't find my computer books on B&N or Sony store. ePub does nothing for me, I don't want a format, I want a book!

You are if you want to buy books from mainstream publishers and authors without stripping DRM.

Mobi is not some cure all, if you enjoy obscure authors etc and want to buy, Dracula or some other out of copyright book and not buy it through amazon then sure, you aren't confined.

but if you want your Nora Robert's books or a Dean Koontz etc unless you are willing to strip you are confined to Amazon only.

why is it so difficult for kindle owners to admit this fact?

[covingtoncat73]

Originally Posted by Sil_liS

Exactly. At least from my point of view. There are people who insist that the only way to go is to have only one format for ebooks.

This is true. With my Kobo, there is Calibre but, now that I have a Smartphone, I like that aspect of it. I have the Kindle Ap and the Kobo ap. I refuse to purchase from B&N. I like reading on the Kobo better, if only due to battery life but the Aps seem to work pretty well.

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by boswd

You are if you want to buy books from mainstream publishers and authors without stripping DRM.

Mobi is not some cure all, if you enjoy obscure authors etc and want to buy, Dracula or some other out of copyright book and not buy it through amazon then sure, you aren't confined.

but if you want your Nora Robert's books or a Dean Koontz etc unless you are willing to strip you are confined to Amazon only.

why is it so difficult for kindle owners to admit this fact?

That has nothing to do with mobi format but the user's preference and bookstore's selection. I cannot blame B&N for not selling computer books or the most popular ones.

Most bestsellers are in Amazon already. I have never face the case that I can't find something for Kindle but I can on B&N. It depends of the user and doing cross check between stores is a complete waste of time because what I like, you don't or vice-verse and we won't validate anything.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by boswd

I was kidding ApK.

I know. So was I. (You need to see 'Damn Yankees' and listen to 'Devil Went Down to Georgia'...please tell me someone else got that, or do I REALLY need to have a word with my comedy writer?)

[boswd]

Originally Posted by jocampo

That has nothing to do with mobi format but the user's preference and bookstore's selection. I cannot blame B&N for not selling computer books or the most popular ones.

Most bestsellers are in Amazon already. I have never face the case that I can't find something for Kindle but I can on B&N. It depends of the user and doing cross check between stores is a complete waste of time because what I like, you don't or vice-verse and we won't validate anything.

Well this is difference, In a way I see your point, all things equal, price etc, then it's easier to buy from your home platform bookstore, no arguement here.
And I'm just as quilty of that, I also have ton of books bought through BN. It's easier for the wireless downloading and I love BN's bookstore.

but the true advantage of ePub
1.) Being able to take advantage of promotions, coupons, etc. If Kobo is running a 60% off sale then that is great, I'm buying away.

and

2.) You're ePub books can follow you around. So right now I have a nook and tons of ePub books sideloaded. Now if Sony comes out with a reader that blows the doors off of everything and I want it, my ePub library can come with me without jumping through any hoops.

That's what we are arguing and the point we are trying to make. yes mobi is Amazon's open supported format, but it doesn't cover your authors you like by mainstream publishers. The NY Times bestsellers etc.

[boswd]

Originally Posted by ApK

I know. So was I. (You need to see 'Damn Yankees' and listen to 'Devil Went Down to Georgia'...please tell me someone else got that, or do I REALLY need to have a word with my comedy writer?)

[CleverClothe]

Originally Posted by jocampo

Ok, a question for you.

If you buy a book from B&N, directly, can you read it on a Sony? what part of my statement is not right as per your assessment? Because as far as I know, the DRM implementation B&N uses is not the same for regular DRM/ePubs you buy from other companies like Sony.

To quote you once again...

Originally Posted by jocampo

You cannot read B&N books outside of B&N environment.

This is completely false. It has been false since the Nook launched, since the Onyx Boox 60 was updated right away.

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by CleverClothe

To quote you once again...



This is completely false. It has been false since the Nook launched, since the Onyx Boox 60 was updated right away.

You cannot read B&N books on a Sony. So I don't understand why you say is false. The DRM implementation is different, unless that changed recently.

[CleverClothe]

Originally Posted by jocampo

You cannot read B&N books on a Sony. So I don't understand why you say is false. The DRM implementation is different, unless that changed recently.

You can read B&N books on a Boox, which is outside the B&N system. I think there are a few other readers that have updated too, but I can't find an exact list.

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by CleverClothe

You can read B&N books on a Boox, which is outside the B&N system. I think there are a few other readers that have updated too, but I can't find an exact list.

I don't know what a "Boox" is, but certainly you cannot read B&N DRM protected books on a Sony, not at this moment. B&N DRM implementation is not universal; not all ereaders can read it, hence is not a fully open format in the whole sense and meaning of the terms. Fully open is that, fully open, like an mp3 file which can be played on any available player.

[SCION]

It's not a device, but you can also read B&N books using the Aldiko (reader) Android app.

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by SCION

It's not a device, but you can also read B&N books using the Aldiko (reader) Android app.

Right! But that's not an eink device ... ... is an app. ... we cannot run Android apps on Nook devices, not out of the box. I think we were talking about pure and out of the box eink devices, not Android ones or iPads.

We can read ePub on Kindle I think, but if you hack the device and change the firmware. That's different.

[CleverClothe]

Originally Posted by jocampo

I don't know what a "Boox" is, but certainly you cannot read B&N DRM protected books on a Sony, not at this moment. B&N DRM implementation is not universal; not all ereaders can read it, hence is not a fully open format in the whole sense and meaning of the terms. Fully open is that, fully open, like an mp3 file which can be played on any available player.

You didn't claim it wasn't universal, you claimed you couldn't read it outside B&N's system.

At first I thought you were just misinformed (a lot of people were mistaken that you couldn't read B&N books on other readers). But now I see you are just clinging to a lie so you don't have to admit that Amazon may be worse than another vendor in some way.