Downloading updated ebooks: Kobo and Amazon

[BearMountainBooks]

Someone on here once said something about when a book is updated--does an updated book show as updated in the library? Do you get notification that there is an update and just go download the new copy? Anyone know how that works?

[Purple Lady]

Originally Posted by BearMountainBooks

Someone on here once said something about when a book is updated--does an updated book show as updated in the library? Do you get notification that there is an update and just go download the new copy? Anyone know how that works?

I've never been notified of a book from Kobo being updated. It's possible that none of my books were ever updated, but how would I know if it were?

[BearMountainBooks]

Originally Posted by Purple Lady

I've never been notified of a book being updated. It's possible that none of my books were ever updated, but how would I know if it were?

Someone was talking about updates, but I can't even remember if it was on this kobo thread (Amazon has multiple ways to check for an update and will, in some cases, notify people via email). I know that sometimes books that are in my library appear to be sitting there, but not available for download anymore (I always download them initially so it isn't a problem--I have the book). Then they re-appear for download. I don't know if this means they have been updated or there was a glitch.

There's no settings that I can find on Kobo to 'notify' me of an update. But I thought (probably) someone would know more about it than I do.

[Difflugia]

Originally Posted by BearMountainBooks

Someone on here once said something about when a book is updated--does an updated book show as updated in the library? Do you get notification that there is an update and just go download the new copy? Anyone know how that works?

Kobo doesn't update books after purchase as far as I can tell. I've tried redownloading books from Kobo and they've always been exactly the same as when I bought them. I've only tried ADE books, though, so maybe kepubs and DRM-free epubs are updated, but I haven't tried.

A majority of books that I've bought from Amazon and Barnes & Noble have been updated, but I can't find a way to tell without redownloading.

[BearMountainBooks]

Originally Posted by Difflugia

Kobo doesn't update books after purchase as far as I can tell. I've tried redownloading books from Kobo and they've always been exactly the same as when I bought them. I've only tried ADE books, though, so maybe kepubs and DRM-free epubs are updated, but I haven't tried.

A majority of books that I've bought from Amazon and Barnes & Noble have been updated, but I can't find a way to tell without redownloading.

Okay, thanks. Maybe they don't update them at all then. I have had books that were free end up with no download button, but then the download button comes back and I wondered if this had a secret meaning.

I think with Amazon if the author sets it, when you check manage kindle it will tell you if there is an update. I know you can set it to auto update books, but in that case there is no notification. There is also a way to SOMETIMES convince Amazon to send out an update notice, but that doesn't seem to always work (doesn't reach every buyer). I've tried that before after it just came out and it took 4 months, 3 emails and not everyone received notification. It may or may not work better now...

[vampiregrave]

Originally Posted by BearMountainBooks

Okay, thanks. Maybe they don't update them at all then. I have had books that were free end up with no download button, but then the download button comes back and I wondered if this had a secret meaning.

I think with Amazon if the author sets it, when you check manage kindle it will tell you if there is an update. I know you can set it to auto update books, but in that case there is no notification. There is also a way to SOMETIMES convince Amazon to send out an update notice, but that doesn't seem to always work (doesn't reach every buyer). I've tried that before after it just came out and it took 4 months, 3 emails and not everyone received notification. It may or may not work better now...

Since I usually publish via Kobo Writing Life I noticed they do update the eBooks whenever I upload a new version, but to get it one would need to remove the old version from their library and add the new one. There is no notification to warn the user whatsoever.

One way to check if there's updates, is to go to your library and click on the title of one of your eBooks. If it doesn't redirect to the correspondent store page, it's probably and older archived version.

[BearMountainBooks]

Originally Posted by vampiregrave

Since I usually publish via Kobo Writing Life I noticed they do update the eBooks whenever I upload a new version, but to get it one would need to remove the old version from their library and add the new one. There is no notification to warn the user whatsoever.

One way to check if there's updates, is to go to your library and click on the title of one of your eBooks. If it doesn't redirect to the correspondent store page, it's probably and older archived version.

Ah. Good to know. Does the reader have to buy it again? or just remove and add? I've never removed anything from my library!

[artig]

I have just received notice from Amazon about updates to a book I bought some time ago. This is what they wrote (with the actual title and author where indicated):
"An updated version of your past Kindle purchase of [title] by [author] is now available.

The updated version contains the following changes:
Typos have been corrected.

You can receive the improved versions of all your books by opting in to receive book updates automatically. You can do this by going to Manage Your Content and Devices and clicking on Automatic Book Update under the Settings tab.

Alternatively, you can get the updated version of this book by going to Manage Your Content and Devices. Find the book under Your Content tab, click on the "Update Available" button next to the book's title, and then follow the update prompts. All your devices that have the eBook currently downloaded will be updated automatically the next time they connect to wireless."

Hope this helps.

[BearMountainBooks]

Originally Posted by artig

I have just received notice from Amazon about updates to a book I bought some time ago. This is what they wrote (with the actual title and author where indicated):
"An updated version of your past Kindle purchase of [title] by [author] is now available.

The updated version contains the following changes:
Typos have been corrected.

You can receive the improved versions of all your books by opting in to receive book updates automatically. You can do this by going to Manage Your Content and Devices and clicking on Automatic Book Update under the Settings tab.

Alternatively, you can get the updated version of this book by going to Manage Your Content and Devices. Find the book under Your Content tab, click on the "Update Available" button next to the book's title, and then follow the update prompts. All your devices that have the eBook currently downloaded will be updated automatically the next time they connect to wireless."

Hope this helps.

Thanks, it does. I know they have a few mechanisms to choose from. I guess I shall have to write to kobo to see if they can explain a bit better how it works. Assuming it works the same way each time (probably doesn't. Because we wouldn't want it to be consistent. That would be too easy!)

[Lynx-lynx]

Originally Posted by artig

I have just received notice from Amazon about updates to a book I bought some time ago. This is what they wrote (with the actual title and author where indicated):
"An updated version of your past Kindle purchase of [title] by [author] is now available.

The updated version contains the following changes:
Typos have been corrected.

You can receive the improved versions of all your books by opting in to receive book updates automatically. You can do this by going to Manage Your Content and Devices and clicking on Automatic Book Update under the Settings tab.

Alternatively, you can get the updated version of this book by going to Manage Your Content and Devices. Find the book under Your Content tab, click on the "Update Available" button next to the book's title, and then follow the update prompts. All your devices that have the eBook currently downloaded will be updated automatically the next time they connect to wireless."

Hope this helps.

thanks Artig, I just checked Amazon's Auto Book Update and 2 books auto updated, lol.

[eschwartz]

How do you tell Amazon to email you?

[JSWolf]

After the B&N download link being removed, I downloaded all of my eBooks from B&N and I noticed that some had been updated. Went to Kobo, same thing. Went to Amqazon, same thing again.

So the answer is yes, eBooks get updated and we don't get notified.

[Lynx-lynx]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

After the B&N download link being removed, I downloaded all of my eBooks from B&N and I noticed that some had been updated. Went to Kobo, same thing. Went to Amqazon, same thing again.

So the answer is yes, eBooks get updated and we don't get notified.

How did you know that Kobo's had been updated?

[artig]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

How do you tell Amazon to email you?

I have no idea. They emailed me without being told. I don't know if any other books have been updated, either. Last time I was notified of a book update was just over 3 years ago. At that time it was necessary to reply to their email with a "yes" response in order to have the book updated.

I've never received any update notices from Kobo, despite having purchased one book which the author advised me had been updated. The original had so many errors it was almost funny. I haven't bothered downloading a new copy, as the original should really be a collector's item.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by artig

I have no idea. They emailed me without being told. I don't know if any other books have been updated, either. Last time I was notified of a book update was just over 3 years ago. At that time it was necessary to reply to their email with a "yes" response in order to have the book updated.

Just wondered because I never saw any option for it that I could remember.

Doesn't seem terribly useful if it's random.