ePub Store: Kobo or Google Play?

sakura-panda · 09-02-2017, 12:44 PM

Is there a difference when is comes to downloading and removing the DRM? Price seems about equal and not a factor, especially since I am more interested in a consolidated library than saving a dollar or two. (I am not a prolific purchaser.)

I started out in the Sony ebookstore with the purchase of my first reader (PRS-505) and used their software to download my books. I tried Adobe several times, but found I had more consistent success, and less frustration, with Sony. I imagine I am in the minority there, since Sony is gone and Adobe is not.

When Kobo bought out Sony, I experimented with both the Nook and the Kobo stores and since I could download my Kobo books with my Sony software and could no longer unlock my Nook books, I switched to Kobo as my main store.

Recently, I upgraded to a desktop computer and discovered that I could not use the Sony reader to download my books; apparently, the books I had downloaded in the past are now tied to my old computer. Because Adobe and I do not play well together, I never authorized my software with Adobe. (The computer is authorized, but not the reader software and it seems I should have done both. Apparently, it can not be done after the fact.)

I am still using my old computer to download my books, but I am thinking this is not a good long term solution. It currently runs Windows 10, but at 6 years old, I don't know how much longer I can expect the hardware to last.

I use Ebates which gives me 5% back on Kobo purchases and an affiliate link for my local independent bookstore. I'd really like to stick with Kobo, but I'm thinking it might not be the best choice. If saving my library is easier with Google, maybe I should consider switching.

Tldr: As far as purchasing, downloading, and personal archiving of purchases, is there any difference / preferences between Kobo and Google Play? I am assuming I have to use ADE in both cases. Is there another option?

issybird · 09-02-2017, 01:25 PM

I'd stick with Kobo, especially since you prefer it anyway. There's a recurrent problem with some Google epubs where ADE won't open them. So far, Google has refused to admit the issue is with them, even though the books are fine at other venues. There are many posts at the Google Play and ADE forums about the issue, as well as reports here. It's especially annoying because once a dud purchase uses promotional credit, you don't get it back, just what you paid over, when you return the book.

RZetlin · 09-02-2017, 03:50 PM

Go with Kobo. It is 99% certain that the book you get have the option to download it as a epub.

Downloading epubs on Google is a hit or a miss. Some of the publishers on Google do not allow the option to download epubs.

JSWolf · 09-02-2017, 03:51 PM

You can always price match Google at Kobo.

Blossom · 09-02-2017, 05:32 PM

I use Google Play. I've never had a problem but you do need ADE 2.01 to open the epub. They have coupons from time to time that works on any book and I use my Google Rewards to buy with. They are mostly mainstream books though. They stopped taking Indies a while ago.

My only problem with Google Play was once it thought I was in another country. My ISP had switched my IP address to one out of state. I had clone my MAC address to get a new IP this one in state to fix it.

Sent from my XT1528

AnemicOak · 09-02-2017, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sakura-panda

Because Adobe and I do not play well together, I never authorized my software with Adobe. (The computer is authorized, but not the reader software and it seems I should have done both. Apparently, it can not be done after the fact.)

Yes, unfortunately you would have needed to do this before the book is downloaded.

Quote:

If saving my library is easier with Google, maybe I should consider switching.

Don't see how it would be any easier for you.

Quote:

Tldr: As far as purchasing, downloading, and personal archiving of purchases, is there any difference / preferences between Kobo and Google Play? I am assuming I have to use ADE in both cases.

With Kobo, Google or any other seller that uses DRM ADE will be a must. Best recommended practice is to install and use version 2.0.1 if you plan to do any DRM removal. The reason for this is starting with ADE 3 there is a new optional "hardened DRM" that stores can apply if they wish (books downloaded with 2.0.1 don't have this risk). This hardened DRM can not be removed at this time. Note that none of the big retailers are using the hardened DRM to the best of my knowledge and although there have been rumors that some seller or another is using it I've never actually seen anything but rumors about it.

Quote:

Is there another option?

No other real option for downloading DRM'd ePub's than using ADE. Options for other retailers would include Books A Million and eBooks.com

I've used both Kobo and Google for years and don't really find one better than the other over all. Kobo has the edge over Google if you're wanting to do any browsing for books (as opposed to just searching out an author or title). I generally buy where ever I can get a better deal, otherwise I buy from Amazon and format shift.

HarryT · 09-03-2017, 05:59 AM

If you're using Calibre, personally I'd buy the book at Amazon and then convert it to ePub. It's an awful lot easier than having to mess around with ADE.

JSWolf · 09-03-2017, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

If you're using Calibre, personally I'd buy the book at Amazon and then convert it to ePub. It's an awful lot easier than having to mess around with ADE.

Oh yeah, ADE 2.0.1 is a lot harder to use than the current version of K4PC that gets you KFX in most cases. There is no easy way to find a link on Amazon to 1.17 using Google. So if your K4PC updated or you are starting fresh, you get the new version and KFX.

HarryT · 09-03-2017, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Oh yeah, ADE 2.0.1 is a lot harder to use than the current version of K4PC that gets you KFX in most cases. There is no easy way to find a link on Amazon to 1.17 using Google. So if your K4PC updated or you are starting fresh, you get the new version and KFX.

There's a very easy way to disable KFX in current versions of K4PC/K4Mac, as explained in the first post of this thread:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=283371

I agree with you that ADE is a lot harder to use.

pwalker8 · 09-03-2017, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

If you're using Calibre, personally I'd buy the book at Amazon and then convert it to ePub. It's an awful lot easier than having to mess around with ADE.

Amen on that.

llcj · 09-03-2017, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

If you're using Calibre, personally I'd buy the book at Amazon and then convert it to ePub. It's an awful lot easier than having to mess around with ADE.

How is it easier? I need to go through the exact same steps to get books into Calibre.

Do you mean that installing ADE is more difficult and that it takes maybe one more step to get books onto ADE?

HarryT · 09-03-2017, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llcj

How is it easier? I need to go through the exact same steps to get books into Calibre.

Do you mean that installing ADE is more difficult and that it takes maybe one more step to get books onto ADE?

Both the installation/registration issues, and the fact that with ADE you have to explicitly open each ASCM in ADE to download the book. With Amazon, just set K4PC/K4Mac as your default device, and your books are automatically downloaded when you run the program.

salamanderjuice · 09-03-2017, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Both the installation/registration issues, and the fact that with ADE you have to explicitly open each ASCM in ADE to download the book. With Amazon, just set K4PC/K4Mac as your default device, and your books are automatically downloaded when you run the program.

Then buy off Kobo and use the desktop app. It's the same process. Plus you avoid any conversion issues.

HarryT · 09-03-2017, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salamanderjuice

Then buy off Kobo and use the desktop app. It's the same process. Plus you avoid any conversion issues.

Won't doing that give you kepub rather than ePub books? You'd still need to do a conversion, in that case.

Blossom · 09-03-2017, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Oh yeah, ADE 2.0.1 is a lot harder to use than the current version of K4PC that gets you KFX in most cases. There is no easy way to find a link on Amazon to 1.17 using Google. So if your K4PC updated or you are starting fresh, you get the new version and KFX.

When my PC updated K4PC on me last week I found 1.17 at File Hippo.

Sent from my XT1528

09-02-2017, 12:44 PM	#1
sakura-panda Guru Posts: 934 Karma: 9558874 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Southeast Michigan, USA Device: Kindle Oasis; 11" iPad Pro (Books, Kindle, Kobo, MapleRead SE)	ePub Store: Kobo or Google Play? Is there a difference when is comes to downloading and removing the DRM? Price seems about equal and not a factor, especially since I am more interested in a consolidated library than saving a dollar or two. (I am not a prolific purchaser.) I started out in the Sony ebookstore with the purchase of my first reader (PRS-505) and used their software to download my books. I tried Adobe several times, but found I had more consistent success, and less frustration, with Sony. I imagine I am in the minority there, since Sony is gone and Adobe is not. When Kobo bought out Sony, I experimented with both the Nook and the Kobo stores and since I could download my Kobo books with my Sony software and could no longer unlock my Nook books, I switched to Kobo as my main store. Recently, I upgraded to a desktop computer and discovered that I could not use the Sony reader to download my books; apparently, the books I had downloaded in the past are now tied to my old computer. Because Adobe and I do not play well together, I never authorized my software with Adobe. (The computer is authorized, but not the reader software and it seems I should have done both. Apparently, it can not be done after the fact.) I am still using my old computer to download my books, but I am thinking this is not a good long term solution. It currently runs Windows 10, but at 6 years old, I don't know how much longer I can expect the hardware to last. I use Ebates which gives me 5% back on Kobo purchases and an affiliate link for my local independent bookstore. I'd really like to stick with Kobo, but I'm thinking it might not be the best choice. If saving my library is easier with Google, maybe I should consider switching. Tldr: As far as purchasing, downloading, and personal archiving of purchases, is there any difference / preferences between Kobo and Google Play? I am assuming I have to use ADE in both cases. Is there another option?

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09-02-2017, 01:25 PM	#2
issybird o saeclum infacetum Posts: 21,295 Karma: 234636059 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New England Device: Mini, H2O, Glo HD, Aura One, PW4, PW5	I'd stick with Kobo, especially since you prefer it anyway. There's a recurrent problem with some Google epubs where ADE won't open them. So far, Google has refused to admit the issue is with them, even though the books are fine at other venues. There are many posts at the Google Play and ADE forums about the issue, as well as reports here. It's especially annoying because once a dud purchase uses promotional credit, you don't get it back, just what you paid over, when you return the book.

09-02-2017, 03:50 PM	#3
RZetlin Addict Posts: 383 Karma: 3461302 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Aura One, Kobo Glo, Kobo Aura HD (RIP)	Go with Kobo. It is 99% certain that the book you get have the option to download it as a epub. Downloading epubs on Google is a hit or a miss. Some of the publishers on Google do not allow the option to download epubs.

09-02-2017, 03:51 PM	#4
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,758 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	You can always price match Google at Kobo.

09-02-2017, 05:32 PM	#5
Blossom Treasure Seeker Posts: 18,708 Karma: 26026435 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kobo HD Glo, Kindles, Kindle Fires, Andriod Devices	I use Google Play. I've never had a problem but you do need ADE 2.01 to open the epub. They have coupons from time to time that works on any book and I use my Google Rewards to buy with. They are mostly mainstream books though. They stopped taking Indies a while ago. My only problem with Google Play was once it thought I was in another country. My ISP had switched my IP address to one out of state. I had clone my MAC address to get a new IP this one in state to fix it. Sent from my XT1528

09-03-2017, 05:59 AM	#7
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	If you're using Calibre, personally I'd buy the book at Amazon and then convert it to ePub. It's an awful lot easier than having to mess around with ADE.

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