Trek Books for Kindle

[ATimson]

^From what I understood the AZW format that Amazon uses (which is based on MOBI but more advanced) should be able to do embedded fonts and other formatting things but they're switched off to make the files smaller to better fit on the Kindle.

"AZW" isn't a specific format; Kindle files use that extension to cover three different formats currently.

Mobipocket: can't do embedded fonts.
Topaz: can do embedded fonts, kinda, but has issues of its own
PDF: can do embedded fonts, don't scale down to smaller screen sizes

 

[Ktrek]

I can't remember if I have mentioned this before but one of the reasons I bought and own a Nook Color is because of the ability to read ebooks from most anywhere. I can borrow from the public library, I can buy from multiple vendors (B&N, Ereader.com, Kobo, ebooks.com, booksonboard.com etc. etc.). And since the Nook Color is so easy to softroot I have access to the Android Market place and all their apps. And guess which one I installed first? You guessed it...The Kindle app! So with the Nook Color I have the best of all worlds. It's not that the Kindle is not a good device, because it is, it is just a limiting device. The best part for me is that if B&N does not carry a book then Amazon probably does and I can still read it on my one device. I don't have to own a Kindle, a Sony Reader, a Nook, an Ipad etc...Nope! I have one small device that does it all. And I have even seen the Nook Color on Ebay from Barnes and Noble last week for only $179.00. That's an outright steal in my opinion.

Kevin

 

[bfollowell]

JWolf is at it again...

http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=150752#15

 

[label]

I can borrow from the public library, I can buy from multiple vendors (B&N, Ereader.com, Kobo, ebooks.com, booksonboard.com etc. etc.). And since the Nook Color is so easy to softroot I have access to the Android Market place and all their apps. And guess which one I installed first? You guessed it...The Kindle app!

While this sounds like a really cool idea that definitely appeals to me, what I've found for me personally is that I'm willing to give up the root-kitted/Android tablet functionality so that I can read on E-Ink and have my entire device be just focused on being a reader.

I do have an IPad which I love so I do get where you're coming from and your way definitely has some advantages. Still, I really like the no frills, small footprint, lightweight reader with a battery life that lasts a month for me. (nook touch or Kindle 2/3 either one......)

 

[label]

JWolf is at it again...

http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=150752#15

I've heard that if you stop feeding trolls they stop coming around..........something to think about.

While I certainly have no problems with people who want to spend more for the Sony reader, I don't get the pitbull-esque attack on all things Kindle just because they have a proprietary format. Frankly, with Calibre, the formatting thing is so last year's problem for me that I never even give things like that a second thought.

 

[Idran]

I've heard that if you stop feeding trolls they stop coming around..........something to think about.

That only works if they're trolling, I'm positive that JWolf is 100% sincere in what he posts. He just doesn't care that most no one else cares.

 

[JWolf]

JWolf, there's nothing suboptimal about reading on a Kindle in Mobi/AZW format. Mobi/AZW can do everything ePub can do if the information is there to enable it. It goes back to GIGO, you get out what you put in.

Mobipocket is based on an older eBook specification. Then came MS Reader and then ePub. All newer versions of the same specification. Mobipocket cannot embed fonts. This is what made Declassified a much nicer read (IMHO). There are other things ePub can do that Mobipocket cannot do such as true blockquotes or inline images.

Now for most fiction eBooks, it won't make much different mobipocket or ePub.

Anyway, enough about what reader can do this or that. I think we know this already.

 

[JWolf]

any more than I'd try and read a book on my Droid X phone.

I'm not sure how a Droid X phone compares to an iPhone, but I actually read a couple books through the Kindle app on my iPhone before I got my Kindle and it wasn't a terrible experience. In fact that's part of what motivated me to go ahead and get a Kindle, which I love. I far prefer reading on my Kindle to reading on my iPhone, in part because the screen is a better size and in part because I better tolerate the e-ink screen over longer periods of time.

I've tried iBooks and the Kindle app on an iPhone. They both have the same flaw. The margins are way too wide for such a small screen.

 

[JoeZhang]

Since this is the default kindle thread:

We are getting a $79 kindle which should explode popularity of this device (plus two new touchscreen ereaders - for $99 and $149) - plus a tablet.

 

[label]

Since this is the default kindle thread:

We are getting a $79 kindle which should explode popularity of this device (plus two new touchscreen ereaders - for $99 and $149) - plus a tablet.

Yep. I'm pretty excited about this. I've had my old Kindle 2 for several years now and never went to the Kindle 3 so naturally when the prices were rolled out I ordered my Kindle Touch to be delivered ASAP. It still doesn't allow you to upload custom font sets, but there's probably a good explanation for that.

 

[Snaploud]

We're apparently getting a new smaller kindle (same screen size, no keyboard), a new kindle touch (with or without 3G), and something called a kindle Fire (basically a Nook Color plus access to free amazon video content). Though, I hear the Kindle Fire is somewhat of a stop-gap device before they come out with version 2 of the Kindle Fire in the first quarter of 2012. The kindle3 (called a kindle keyboard now) is still available.

I'm glad they have an updated non-touch kindle. I'm not yet sold on the use of a touch screen for reading books. I like having the buttons on the side.

http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Wi-Fi-...pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1321408942&pf_rd_i=507846

Amazon shares apparently went up 5% today. Apple went up 1%. Barnes and Noble went down 7%.

 

[ATimson]

I'm glad they have an updated non-touch kindle. I'm not yet sold on the use of a touch screen for reading books. I like having the buttons on the side.

The problem with the non-touch Kindle is that they killed the keyboard; searching is going to suck on it.

 

[BrotherBenny]

Watch out for JWolf telling us how Amazon is still EVIL and BEHIND THE TIMES with the outdated Mobi format...

Anyways, I think this Kindle 4, Touch, Fire etc. represents a great leap forward for Bezos and Amazon. I have always said that the sweet spot for an eBook reader in under $100 (or any other currency) and at $79, the Kindle will probably become the cheapest on the market.

Additionally, opening up Kindle markets in France and Germany gives Amazon a leading edge. Unless Kobo gets more backers, they'll go under without Borders to help them and Barnes & Noble haven't expanded into other parts of the world, which they'll need to do if they want to compete with Amazon.

Who knows what's next.

 

[Ktrek]

I have looked and looked at pics of the Fire on their website and they are either lying about the overall size of the Fire or lying about the screen size. The over all dimensions are supposed to be 7.5 inches in length. That would leave room for only 1/4 inch borders on the top and bottom. The bottom border has to be at least one inch and the top a half inch. That would make the screen a 6 inch and not 7.

Also, the only real improvement I see over B&Ns Nook is the dual quad processor. Otherwise the Nook has better support of various file types and more options to buy. Yea the nook can't get the Amazon streams but I bet there is or will be an app I could download on my softrooted nook that would do that if I was willing to pay for "Prime" membership, which I am not! Hulu works just fine thank you! I can't believe that people think this is innovative. Amazon just finally woke up and realized that B&N had outbested them and now they are playing catch up.

Kevin

 

[Thrawn]

^ Screen size of monitors, TVs, and mobile devices is measured diagonally, so they only have to use one number. A 7" screen means it's 7" from corner to opposite corner, just like anywhere else that advertises screen size. My 24" monitor is 24" from corner to opposite corner as well.

 

[label]

Also, the only real improvement I see over B&Ns Nook is the dual quad processor. Otherwise the Nook has better support of various file types and more options to buy.

You apparently misunderstand something about the Fire.....it's a full fledged tablet out of the box, not just a fancy reader like the Nook Color. It's got built in access to download apps(re: games), surf the net and everything else an Android tablet can do with full access to all content available from Amazon on top of that. People wanting an inexpensive tablet that may never use it to read with now have a viable, name brand option to get into the Tablet market.

The Nook does not have better support out of the box, it has less support out of the box for functionality as the Nook Color is only a reader unless you root-kit it, which most people are not willing/are able to do.

My wife and I own a Nook Color (and Nook touch) and this Fire is waaaaaaay cooler than the Nook Color. Not only is Amazon now competing with B & N, at this price point and with the full fledged tablet functionality, it's beating the crap out of them until the Nook Color 2 comes out down the road. Right now, Fire wins no contest.

 

[ATimson]

You apparently misunderstand something about the Fire.....it's a full fledged tablet out of the box, not just a fancy reader like the Nook Color. It's got built in access to download apps(re: games), surf the net and everything else an Android tablet can do with full access to all content available from Amazon on top of that. People wanting an inexpensive tablet that may never use it to read with now have a viable, name brand option to get into the Tablet market.

The Nook does not have better support out of the box, it has less support out of the box for functionality as the Nook Color is only a reader unless you root-kit it, which most people are not willing/are able to do.

But the Fire only has access to Amazon's app store, not the Android Market as a whole. If you're willing to root, then you definitely get a better device out of the Nook Color. Out of the box, I guess the Fire is theoretically better, but given the problems with Amazon's app store for developers, I wouldn't hold out hope for most apps making their way to the Amazon market.

 

[label]

But the Fire only has access to Amazon's app store, not the Android Market as a whole. If you're willing to root, then you definitely get a better device out of the Nook Color.

Yeah, once you root one and/or the other, then it's just a hardware comparison and I know the Fire has dual-core so I'm not sure how that stacks up against the Nook Color I have at home. Still, the average person is not going to root their device so I'm really just talking about the devices you can walk out of the store with.

Out of the box, I guess the Fire is theoretically better, but given the problems with Amazon's app store for developers, I wouldn't hold out hope for most apps making their way to the Amazon market.

Yeah, I'm sure Amazon's really going to struggle to attract apps to their marketplace. Seriously, I've had a Droid X for 6 months now and most of the apps I've downloaded have been from Amazon's store which has 10's of thousands of apps already. I really don't see Amazon struggling to attract more business/apps with the advent of what is sure to be a very popular tablet. Bottom line, the Fire is a very, very nice entry level tablet, especially if you have Amazon content already. Even if you don't, it'd be a great place to get into the tablet market even if I don't personally believe it's quite reached IPad status yet.

 

[Ktrek]

Also, the only real improvement I see over B&Ns Nook is the dual quad processor. Otherwise the Nook has better support of various file types and more options to buy.

You apparently misunderstand something about the Fire.....it's a full fledged tablet out of the box, not just a fancy reader like the Nook Color. It's got built in access to download apps(re: games), surf the net and everything else an Android tablet can do with full access to all content available from Amazon on top of that. People wanting an inexpensive tablet that may never use it to read with now have a viable, name brand option to get into the Tablet market.

The Nook does not have better support out of the box, it has less support out of the box for functionality as the Nook Color is only a reader unless you root-kit it, which most people are not willing/are able to do.

My wife and I own a Nook Color (and Nook touch) and this Fire is waaaaaaay cooler than the Nook Color. Not only is Amazon now competing with B & N, at this price point and with the full fledged tablet functionality, it's beating the crap out of them until the Nook Color 2 comes out down the road. Right now, Fire wins no contest.

I'm not following you here in either post. The Nook Color right out of the box is a tablet also. It has availability to apps. It can play music, surf the web, read ebooks, play games etc. without softrooting. Softrooting opens up the device to thousands more apps on the Android Marketplace but I honestly do not see the big difference between buying from B&N or buying from Amazon. The one difference I do see is that the Fire does NOT, and will not, support epub and to me that is a huge downside in my opinion. The nook can already do everything that the Fire can do except stream content from Amazon if you are a prime member but I'd be willing to bet there is an app I could install on my softrooted nook that would do that. I honestly think you have misrepresented the ability and usefulness of the Nook Color. It is way more than an ereader and always has been. To imply otherwise is disingenuous.

The Fire is priced well and looks nice but the dual core processor is it's biggest difference in comparison to the Nook Color and I'm sure that next version of the Color will have the same processor or better.

Kevin

 

[JoeZhang]

The one difference I do see is that the Fire does NOT, and will not, support epub and to me that is a huge downside in my opinion.

Even with a cursory glance, I can five at least five apps in the amazon app market that will read epub.