The eBook Reader: Time for New Large Kindles

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Have you tried using Edge as your reader? They added ePub support to it. I've used it a bit here and there to check books, but haven't spent a lot of time using it as a reader. Lack of an in-app library might be a pain.

Yeah, I have. It was nice as far as it went, but *very* limited and basic features. To give one example aside from the lack of reading style adjustments, annotations--something I use a lot--are not accessible or exportable. They are tucked away in a magic client-side database that MSFT keeps well obscured, and used to sync between your various devices. And you cannot upload sideloaded epubs to your Microsoft account, as you can with Google Play. The combined ebook 'ecosystem' that comprises Edge browser, the Microsoft ebook store, and your personal Microsoft account, are a weak and subpar offering compared to any of the other established players. Although I love Win10 as an OS, it's a bummer to see them not taking touch-optimized apps, and specifically the ebook reading experience, more seriously.

[jackie_w]

Every year I briefly toy with the idea of buying a MS Surface Pro before deciding "maybe next year". I must admit that I just took it for granted that I would use the calibre Viewer as my reading app. Does it not work well on the Surface Pro?

Originally Posted by jackie_w

Every year I briefly toy with the idea of buying a MS Surface Pro before deciding "maybe next year". I must admit that I just took it for granted that I would use the calibre Viewer as my reading app. Does it not work well on the Surface Pro?

It works GREAT on Windows, love the Calibre reader. It's not a solution for me tho, as I annotate heavily.

[jackie_w]

Originally Posted by maximus83

It works GREAT on Windows, love the Calibre reader. It's not a solution for me tho, as I annotate heavily.

Thanks for that Then if I ever do take the plunge I should be fine as I don't need annotations.

[Apache]

Originally Posted by maximus83

Long as you have a place to prop it using the little kickstand, or can rest it on chest, knees, pillows, etc., I'd think the Surface Pro would make an excellent ereader. I have one at work (though I don't use for ebook reading currently), the aspect ratio and display quality on those things is fantastic. I can see a case for doing that.

This is a side issue that I won't pursue further as it's a rabbit trail to the thread. :-) But I have noticed from trying to use Windows a few times as my ebook reader on a small tablet or laptop, there are two primary issues: (1) A relative lack of good ebook reader apps (the only really good one I ever liked much besides using Kindle or Google Play browser version, is Freda+), and (2) Windows 10 apps and UI still just does not seem quite as 'touch-optimized' as the iOS and Android platforms. It's relatively more clunky and painful (to me, at least) to try and get things done in 'tablet mode' on a Win10 device. This is regrettable as I think Win10 has the built-in power to be a brilliant OS for ebook reading. But somebody needs to ramp up the touch-optimized app development for it to realize its full potential.

I use Freda+ as my reader app. I have it set when using Calibre to open epubs in Freda+.
Apache

[Apache]

Originally Posted by jackie_w

Every year I briefly toy with the idea of buying a MS Surface Pro before deciding "maybe next year". I must admit that I just took it for granted that I would use the calibre Viewer as my reading app. Does it not work well on the Surface Pro?

I used the Calibre Viewer for years before switching to the Freda+ app. The Calibre Viewer is my second choice for reading epubs.
Apache

[skidog]

Thank you SleepyBob. I don't see a "New Thread" button. Just to be clear, I would like to ask a question of the community. That does constitute a new thread, does it not? Well, this makes two posts anyway...

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by skidog

Thank you SleepyBob. I don't see a "New Thread" button. Just to be clear, I would like to ask a question of the community. That does constitute a new thread, does it not? Well, this makes two posts anyway...

When you are in a forum (i.e. News for example), if you look near the bottom of the page on the left hand side opposite the number of pages in the forum, you'll see a button labelled NEW THREAD. See the screen snippet attached for an image with the button ovaled.

[skidog]

Brilliant. You should be a tech writer. First I had to get into the right forum, which I was able to do with your instructions. I had been used to seeing larger NEW THREAD buttons at the top of discussions, so it took your help to find the little fellow down at the bottom, but now I'm up and running. Thank you so much for taking the time to point me in right direction.
https://mobileread.cdn.speedyrails.n...t/thankyou.gif

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by skidog

Brilliant. You should be a tech writer. First I had to get into the right forum, which I was able to do with your instructions. I had been used to seeing larger NEW THREAD buttons at the top of discussions, so it took your help to find the little fellow down at the bottom, but now I'm up and running. Thank you so much for taking the time to point me in right direction.
https://mobileread.cdn.speedyrails.n...t/thankyou.gif

Note, you can find "NEW THREAD" near the top as well (upper left corner).

[skidog]

Good grief. I'd like to say that wasn't there previously, but I'm sure I just managed to overlook it... double dumb. Thanks for the pointer.