Need a device/app that will keep books synced between Phone and E-Reader

[josh05magnum]

So, looking for an e-reader for my wife for a present.
She reads books on her phone constantly, and I would rather her read on a bigger screen, should be easier on the eyes.
Here is what I need.

She has-
Android Phone. Reads through Aldiko and Google Play Books (books obtained from multiple sources).
She said no to an e-reader before because she always has her phone with her when she wants to read, so I need an e-reader that I can keep the books synced between the devices, synced meaning what books are there, and what page she is on.

I'm open to suggestions. I thought about a Kindle Reader, and the Kindle App on her phone, but I'm not sure about importing books not obtained from Amazon. I can convert anything with Calibre, but don't know if that's the best route to go. And if that route will work, can the Kindle Reader still run the Google Books app?

Thanks folks for any idea's or suggestions!
Josh

[susan_cassidy]

The Kindle reader can't run apps at all, at least not Android ones. Kindle e-ink readers are based on Linux.

For a Kindle, sideloaded books will not sync the last page read or annotations. Only Amazon books do that. Syncing has nothing to do with what books are on which devices. Each device has to download whatever books it wants to be able to read.

[josh05magnum]

Is there another device that could do what I want? I don't care if it's a Kindle, just needs to be able to go to last page read between devices really.

Originally Posted by susan_cassidy

The Kindle reader can't run apps at all, at least not Android ones. Kindle e-ink readers are based on Linux.

For a Kindle, sideloaded books will not sync the last page read or annotations. Only Amazon books do that. Syncing has nothing to do with what books are on which devices. Each device has to download whatever books it wants to be able to read.

[susan_cassidy]

A Paperwhite will do that, except for sideloaded content.

[eschwartz]

Any Kindle e-ink device or app will sync reading position, for any books downloaded from Amazon's servers.

Fortunately, that includes your own documents you email to your Kindle account.

www.amazon.com/kindlepersonaldocuments

[shalym]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Any Kindle e-ink device or app will sync reading position, for any books downloaded from Amazon's servers.

Fortunately, that includes your own documents you email to your Kindle account.

www.amazon.com/kindlepersonaldocuments

...so yes, if you can convert books bought from Google (and other stores) to mobi format, you can send them to your kindle through email or the Send To Kindle app and they will sync. If you load them from your computer via USB, however, they will NOT sync.

Shari

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by shalym

...so yes, if you can convert books bought from Google (and other stores) to mobi format, you can send them to your kindle through email or the Send To Kindle app and they will sync. If you load them from your computer via USB, however, they will NOT sync.

Shari

I think Amazon will also convert it for you if you email the epub.

That is to say, I'm pretty sure epub is on the list of formats the PDoc service accepts for conversion.

Just put "convert" as the subject of the email.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

I think Amazon will also convert it for you if you email the epub.

That is to say, I'm pretty sure epub is on the list of formats the PDoc service accepts for conversion.

Yes, that's correct. You do of course need to make the acquaintance of our good friend Alf if the ePub has DRM, as most commercially-published books do.

[susan_cassidy]

No, personal document service does not support ePub. Here is the list of formats:

Kindle Personal Documents Service supports the following file types.

Microsoft Word (.DOC, .DOCX)
HTML (.HTML, .HTM)
RTF (.RTF)
Text (.TXT)
JPEG (.JPEG, .JPG)
Kindle Format (.MOBI, .AZW)
GIF (.GIF)
PNG (.PNG)
BMP (.BMP)
PDF (.PDF)


from http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custom...1294794&sr=1-1

[delph]

Originally Posted by josh05magnum

So, looking for an e-reader for my wife for a present.
She reads books on her phone constantly, and I would rather her read on a bigger screen, should be easier on the eyes.
Here is what I need.

She has-
Android Phone. Reads through Aldiko and Google Play Books (books obtained from multiple sources).
She said no to an e-reader before because she always has her phone with her when she wants to read, so I need an e-reader that I can keep the books synced between the devices, synced meaning what books are there, and what page she is on.

I'm going to throw a thought in here, though not about device. I got my mother an eInk Kindle, at her request. She still preferred reading on the Kindle app on her iPhone. I'm not trying to dissuade you from getting an ereader for your wife, just wanting to prepare you for the possibility that she might still prefer her phone. Many do.

Now onto the device... LCD screens aren't harder on everyone's eyes. You might also consider a Nexus 7 (or other android tablet) or Kindle Fire device. An android tablet would use the same apps she's already used to. The Nexus line is from Google, and other manufacturers make them as well. Samsung is of course another big player in android tablet-land. The Kindle Fire would be limited to the Amazon app store, but would sync with a Kindle app on the phone.

[gabby98]

Didn't I read somewhere that the Moon+ app for android will keep location and annotations synced using Dropbox? You may have to load the books to each device separately though.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by gabby98

Didn't I read somewhere that the Moon+ app for android will keep location and annotations synced using Dropbox? You may have to load the books to each device separately though.

Please elaborate on how you'd install Moon+ Reader (the paid Pro version, which is the one which has sync enabled) onto a Kindle e-ink ereader.

True, you could go with one of the comparatively obscure European Android ereaders (I am not up to date on my European ereaders ) which can run apps, or root the Nook. And one of the Kobo models can run Android I believe. Running the Pro version would require authentication (it is a paid app ) so you'd have to install an appstore that offers Moon+ Pro, as well. But these are all going to (probably) be way too much effort for the non-techie reader.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by susan_cassidy

No, personal document service does not support ePub.

Ah, my apologies. Amazon's "Kindle Previewer" tool will, however, convert ePub to Mobi, which can then be sent as a personal doc.

[gabby98]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Please elaborate on how you'd install Moon+ Reader (the paid Pro version, which is the one which has sync enabled) onto a Kindle e-ink ereader.

True, you could go with one of the comparatively obscure European Android ereaders (I am not up to date on my European ereaders ) which can run apps, or root the Nook. And one of the Kobo models can run Android I believe. Running the Pro version would require authentication (it is a paid app ) so you'd have to install an appstore that offers Moon+ Pro, as well. But these are all going to (probably) be way too much effort for the non-techie reader.

I was not talking about for the kindle/e-ink readers...was speaking more to the OP's statement that he would also consider a tablet as his wife already uses an Android phone (or at least that was my understanding of it)

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by gabby98

I was not talking about for the kindle/e-ink readers...was speaking more to the OP's statement that he would also consider a tablet as his wife already uses an Android phone (or at least that was my understanding of it)

The OP said nothing about tablets. The OP asked which devices can sync with an Android phone.