How does uploading your own documents work?

284984 · 11-27-2017, 02:05 PM

I currently have Kindle Desktop open and I'm really pleasantly surprised by how full-featured it is. I've been looking for a desktop reader with a similar feature set and I'm considering moving my whole book system to Kindle. I'm hoping people here will be able to answer some questions and maybe save me making a mistake.

I want to use Kindle Desktop as my principal reading experience. The eReader will get pretty casual use and I also want the option to read on my phone. I use Calibre. I won't be putting anything like my entire library into Kindle's ecosystem. I use EPUBs (which Calibre can convert) and fully OCR PDFs. I want to use Kindle's software and cloud to manage the device, not connect the device to Calibre via wi-fi/USB.

I can't use Send to Kindle yet because I don't have a device registered. What counts as a device here? Can I not make Kindle Desktop my device?

If I buy a device that will enable this and use Send to Kindle to send a book there, will it be visible in Kindle Desktop or Kindle iOS? Is everything including progress and highlights synced back and forth?

How are uploaded documents made second-class citizens in the Kindle ecosystem? Will I be able to highlight all formats across all devices? Are they kept in a different part of the UI?

Apparition B5 · 11-27-2017, 02:11 PM

I'm not at my desktop ATM so I can't give exact specifics, but:

Send to Kindle adds your document to Amazon's "cloud," and the document will be visible on Kindle for Android and Kindle for iOS, but it will not be visible on Kindle for PC. Kindle for PC doesn't count as a device. To add a document to Kindle for PC, you need to open each document in the Kindle for PC program itself. However, doing so will not add the document to the Amazon "cloud."

So, if you want a document available on both Kindle for Android/iOS and Kindle for PC, use Send to Kindle and open the document in Kindle for PC.

284984 · 11-27-2017, 02:33 PM

It looks like Kindle Desktop only lets you import PDFs, not reflowable formats.

Edit - It does if I go through Open With.

I'm an academic and what's really important to me is highlighting and adding notes. That's why a fully integrated cross-platform cloud ecosystem with those features would prompt me changing to Kindle.

So far that part isn't looking promising.

HarryT · 11-27-2017, 02:44 PM

I'm not aware of any program called "Kindle Desktop" (unless it's something new?). Are you referring to Kindle for PC?

You can certainly read Mobi/KF8-format books using K4PC.

Shad Plante · 11-27-2017, 02:58 PM

Save the Mobi/KF8-format book to your My Kindle Content directory. It should be visible when you restart Kindle for PC.

shalym · 11-28-2017, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I'm not aware of any program called "Kindle Desktop" (unless it's something new?). Are you referring to Kindle for PC?

You can certainly read Mobi/KF8-format books using K4PC.

Yes, but notes and highlights won't be shared with other devices from K4PC.

Shari

HarryT · 11-28-2017, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shalym

Yes, but notes and highlights won't be shared with other devices from K4PC.

True. I was simply commenting on the statement that:

Quote:

It looks like Kindle Desktop only lets you import PDFs, not reflowable formats.

The OP had not stated that sharing notes and highlights was a requirement at the time I wrote that message.

11-27-2017, 02:05 PM	#1
284984 Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2017 Device: Nook	How does uploading your own documents work? I currently have Kindle Desktop open and I'm really pleasantly surprised by how full-featured it is. I've been looking for a desktop reader with a similar feature set and I'm considering moving my whole book system to Kindle. I'm hoping people here will be able to answer some questions and maybe save me making a mistake. I want to use Kindle Desktop as my principal reading experience. The eReader will get pretty casual use and I also want the option to read on my phone. I use Calibre. I won't be putting anything like my entire library into Kindle's ecosystem. I use EPUBs (which Calibre can convert) and fully OCR PDFs. I want to use Kindle's software and cloud to manage the device, not connect the device to Calibre via wi-fi/USB. I can't use Send to Kindle yet because I don't have a device registered. What counts as a device here? Can I not make Kindle Desktop my device? If I buy a device that will enable this and use Send to Kindle to send a book there, will it be visible in Kindle Desktop or Kindle iOS? Is everything including progress and highlights synced back and forth? How are uploaded documents made second-class citizens in the Kindle ecosystem? Will I be able to highlight all formats across all devices? Are they kept in a different part of the UI?

11-27-2017, 02:11 PM	#2
Apparition B5 Zealot Posts: 108 Karma: 2245322 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Pennsylvania, U.S.A. Device: Kindle Oasis 3 and iPad Air 5	I'm not at my desktop ATM so I can't give exact specifics, but: Send to Kindle adds your document to Amazon's "cloud," and the document will be visible on Kindle for Android and Kindle for iOS, but it will not be visible on Kindle for PC. Kindle for PC doesn't count as a device. To add a document to Kindle for PC, you need to open each document in the Kindle for PC program itself. However, doing so will not add the document to the Amazon "cloud." So, if you want a document available on both Kindle for Android/iOS and Kindle for PC, use Send to Kindle and open the document in Kindle for PC. Last edited by Apparition B5; 11-27-2017 at 02:13 PM.

11-27-2017, 02:33 PM	#3
284984 Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2017 Device: Nook	It looks like Kindle Desktop only lets you import PDFs, not reflowable formats. Edit - It does if I go through Open With. I'm an academic and what's really important to me is highlighting and adding notes. That's why a fully integrated cross-platform cloud ecosystem with those features would prompt me changing to Kindle. So far that part isn't looking promising. Last edited by 284984; 11-27-2017 at 02:45 PM.

11-27-2017, 02:58 PM	#5
Shad Plante Groupie Posts: 160 Karma: 1822810 Join Date: Oct 2017 Device: 6th Gen Kindle Paperwhite	Save the Mobi/KF8-format book to your My Kindle Content directory. It should be visible when you restart Kindle for PC. Last edited by Shad Plante; 11-27-2017 at 03:03 PM.

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11-27-2017, 02:44 PM	#4
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I'm not aware of any program called "Kindle Desktop" (unless it's something new?). Are you referring to Kindle for PC? You can certainly read Mobi/KF8-format books using K4PC.

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