The Official eBook & eReader Thread
11-10-10 | 03:18 PM
#276
Re: The Official eBook & eReader Thread
Every time I hear someone who is genuinely a reader talk about really wanting color I recommend they find someone with an e-ink device locally to give it a look. I posted multiple times in the past about waiting until I could get color e-ink. I wanted it to read my comics, web surf, read books, and magazines. I eventually caved and got the Kindle 3 and have been nothing but stunned at how much I don't care about color and the other stuff anymore. The thing is so damn wonderful for reading. Eventually I will pick up an iPad (waiting for 2nd gen - hopefully with the retina display) but it will be for comics and games. When I read I prefer to not have the distractions of push notifications, the draw of games, my continual need to check my email etc.
11-19-10 | 06:01 PM
#277
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: The Official eBook & eReader Thread
Looks like Amazon is now allowing you to buy Kindle books as a gift for someone else. Not sure what the holdup was, but that's a nice feature that should have been in place from the start.
11-19-10 | 07:53 PM
#278
Re: The Official eBook & eReader Thread
Is there a list of e-books that have text to speech enabled on the Kindles? A friend of mines mother is getting it and would like this feature. But every book i've purchased has the text to speech disabled.
I think amazon should offer the feature on all their books for an additional cost. Make it an option for those that want it.
I think amazon should offer the feature on all their books for an additional cost. Make it an option for those that want it.
11-19-10 | 09:48 PM
#279
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: The Official eBook & eReader Thread
Is there a list of e-books that have text to speech enabled on the Kindles? A friend of mines mother is getting it and would like this feature. But every book i've purchased has the text to speech disabled.
I think amazon should offer the feature on all their books for an additional cost. Make it an option for those that want it.
I think amazon should offer the feature on all their books for an additional cost. Make it an option for those that want it.
11-22-10 | 08:13 PM
#280
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: The Official eBook & eReader Thread
Nook owners:
Firmware 1.5 is out now. The page turns are now up to Kindle 3's standards. Better contrast by the looks of it as well. Have no idea how they manged that latter thing by merely upgrading the software, but it's pretty damn awesome. Plus, finally, password protection and customizable folders for ALL files. Well done, B&N, well done.
http://www.ipodnn.com/articles/10/11...date.released/
Firmware 1.5 is out now. The page turns are now up to Kindle 3's standards. Better contrast by the looks of it as well. Have no idea how they manged that latter thing by merely upgrading the software, but it's pretty damn awesome. Plus, finally, password protection and customizable folders for ALL files. Well done, B&N, well done.
http://www.ipodnn.com/articles/10/11...date.released/
11-24-10 | 09:47 AM
#282
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The Official eBook & eReader Thread
My understanding is that password protection can be enabled for (a) whenever the unit is powered on and/or comes out of sleep mode; or (b) whenever a purchase request is initiated. (Or both, obviously). Here's the run-down:
Mine installed last night - the whole process took about 10 minutes. Just turn on your WiFi and sit back. Thus far I am quite pleased.
- Sync current reading position across devices. Sync across all NOOK eReaders and devices enabled with NOOK software and apps, including iPad, iPhone/iPod touch, Android smartphones and PC.
- Customize folders and group content for My B&N Library. The My Shelves feature enables users to organize B&N Libraries by a particular subject or theme, on easy-to-organize, easily-accessible Shelves.
- Password protection option for purchases made on a NOOK device. Customers can require their Barnes & Noble account password be entered before NOOK authorizes any content download (purchases, samples and free books). This is a helpful feature customers requested for NOOKs that are shared among family members, students in a class and company employees).
- Pass code security for the NOOK. Customers can configure NOOK to lock the screen after a certain number of minutes and then require a pass code to unlock it. The pass code security feature will activate each time the NOOK does powers on, awakens form Sleep Mode.
- Faster page turns. Customers can enjoy a 50% faster turn rate than the previous version.
- Improved search functionality that includes My Documents (side-loaded content) in the results.
- Additional battery and other performance enhancements.
Mine installed last night - the whole process took about 10 minutes. Just turn on your WiFi and sit back. Thus far I am quite pleased.
11-24-10 | 10:33 AM
#283
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The Official eBook & eReader Thread
I also note that the Web button no longer has a "Beta" stripe across it, though I have not figured out how it has been changed.
12-01-10 | 11:14 AM
#284
DVD Talk Legend
Re: The Official eBook & eReader Thread
I'm wanting advice on what you guys feel is the best case and light for the Nook. I am buying one for my fiance and want to totally set her up so she doesn't have to bother with these accessories herself. Thanks in advance!
12-01-10 | 12:37 PM
#285
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From: Capitol of the Empire! Center of all Commerce and Culture! Crossroads of Civilization! NEW ROME!!!...aka New York City
Re: The Official eBook & eReader Thread
I like M-Edge, albeit for the Kindle
12-01-10 | 10:07 PM
#286
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Re: The Official eBook & eReader Thread
Otherwise, pick a Nook case from BN that she will like the pattern/design of, and pretty much any well-reviewed book/e-reader light on Amazon (the Might Bright is bulky but popular.)
12-02-10 | 05:02 PM
#287
Re: The Official eBook & eReader Thread
Do books ever get updated for typos? I'm reading Manthropology on the nook, and almost every time they give a height, they neglect to put the feet/inches indicator. (e.g. 65 insteaed of 6'5''). They had one correct instance in the book, and every other one (so far) is just numbers, among other typos.
12-06-10 | 03:11 PM
#288
Banned by request
Re: The Official eBook & eReader Thread
Google has introduced an e-reader program (no physical reader, though): http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/06/g...nd-apple-aren/
You hear about this whole e-books thing? We hear it's gonna be a pretty big deal. Google, always with its finger on the pulse of our ever-evolving digital lifestyles, has decided to take a wild stab at this nascent market, and is launching Google eBooks today. Formerly known as Google Editions, the Google eBooks ecosystem is actually a pretty grand gesture, and seems to combine most of the positives of the primary e-book contenders (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple, naturally), while skimping on the UI flourishes, in traditional Google fashion. Books you buy are stored in the cloud, with your progress synced Whispersync-style, and can be read on your choice of native Android, iPhone, or iPad apps; from your browser; or on any device that supports the Adobe Digital Editions DRM for PDF and ePub files, which includes the B&N Nook and the Sony Reader (and plenty of other devices). Google is also trading on its vast repository of public domain books, with 3 million free eBooks on offer at its Google eBookstore, in addition to traditional paid fare. It's certainly a crowded market, full of sharp elbows, but it seems Google is having no trouble adjusting.
12-06-10 | 03:15 PM
#289
Re: The Official eBook & eReader Thread
Interesting... I wonder what format they will use and whether there will be DRM. Basically I want to be able to read on my Kindle and hope I can convert the files to something usable on my device.
edit: Hrm, the picture on the top of the page implies they will be usable on Sony and Nook but doesn't show a Kindle. I am assuming epub with DRM?
edit the second: It specifies epub with DRM. Hrm... I wonder if this will encourage Amazon to open up the Kindle ecosystem a little?
edit: Hrm, the picture on the top of the page implies they will be usable on Sony and Nook but doesn't show a Kindle. I am assuming epub with DRM?
edit the second: It specifies epub with DRM. Hrm... I wonder if this will encourage Amazon to open up the Kindle ecosystem a little?
12-06-10 | 03:24 PM
#290
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From: Formerly known as "Vryce"/Detroit, Michigan
Re: The Official eBook & eReader Thread
It would be nice if it would force Amazon to open up the kindle a little bit to make it easier to do things like rent books from a library, etc.
12-06-10 | 04:47 PM
#291
Banned by request
Re: The Official eBook & eReader Thread
Until Amazon starts seeing appreciable loss to more open competitors, don't expect them to open the Kindle at all. Right now it's more profitable to keep it closed. What, Google has this book for free? Oh, too bad the Kindle you've already purchased doesn't recognize it. Better buy it from Amazon.
12-06-10 | 07:03 PM
#292
Re: The Official eBook & eReader Thread
Until Amazon starts seeing appreciable loss to more open competitors, don't expect them to open the Kindle at all. Right now it's more profitable to keep it closed. What, Google has this book for free? Oh, too bad the Kindle you've already purchased doesn't recognize it. Better buy it from Amazon.
12-06-10 | 07:10 PM
#293
Banned by request
Re: The Official eBook & eReader Thread
Luckily these will all work on my Sony reader, although I've lately been using my iPad more and more (even bought a few Kindle books to read on the iPad Kindle reader). As much as I like e-ink, the backlighting is very convenient.
In most respects, I love Amazon as well. I'm a prime member and I'd say easily 90% of what I buy comes from Amazon. But in the case of the Kindle I'm not happy with the DRM restrictions. Still, if the Kindle 3 (or whatever they're up to) comes out and is unbelievably better than anything else on the market, I might get it.
In most respects, I love Amazon as well. I'm a prime member and I'd say easily 90% of what I buy comes from Amazon. But in the case of the Kindle I'm not happy with the DRM restrictions. Still, if the Kindle 3 (or whatever they're up to) comes out and is unbelievably better than anything else on the market, I might get it.
12-10-10 | 09:17 PM
#295
Banned by request
Re: The Official eBook & eReader Thread
Yeah, I might have made a mistake getting a Sony, as loading stuff onto it can be kind of a pain. On the other hand, I can't easily sideload stuff to the Kindle or the iPad either. I wish someone would make an e-ink device that read a plethora of e-book file types with correct formatting and was easy to sideload onto (like having it pop up as a drive instead of the weird iTunes-lite interface Sony has gone with). Also, as I've purchased books from places like Fictionwise, I've hit annoying DRM and/or filetype incompatibilities that have really made me loathe diving back into the ebook world. In fact, I just recently made a huge order of physical books from Amazon, the largest I've made in years. Maybe e-reading isn't really for me in the end.
It could still be useful for textbooks, though.
It could still be useful for textbooks, though.
12-10-10 | 11:26 PM
#296
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Re: The Official eBook & eReader Thread
^^ FYI - The Kindle does appear as a drive when plugged into a computer. Side-loading content is just a matter of plugging it in, launching Windows Explorer, and pasting the content into the Documents directory on the Kindle. DRM issues notwithstanding, that is.
12-10-10 | 11:49 PM
#297
Re: The Official eBook & eReader Thread
Yeah, I might have made a mistake getting a Sony, as loading stuff onto it can be kind of a pain. On the other hand, I can't easily sideload stuff to the Kindle or the iPad either. I wish someone would make an e-ink device that read a plethora of e-book file types with correct formatting and was easy to sideload onto (like having it pop up as a drive instead of the weird iTunes-lite interface Sony has gone with). Also, as I've purchased books from places like Fictionwise, I've hit annoying DRM and/or filetype incompatibilities that have really made me loathe diving back into the ebook world. In fact, I just recently made a huge order of physical books from Amazon, the largest I've made in years. Maybe e-reading isn't really for me in the end.
It could still be useful for textbooks, though.
It could still be useful for textbooks, though.
12-11-10 | 09:29 AM
#298
Re: The Official eBook & eReader Thread
I would also recommend using the program Calibre, I have a Sony Ebook reader also and agree the software it comes with is garbage. I tried it for the first time then switched to Calibre and have been using Calibre since. The nice thing about Calibre is you can convert the files to anything and it works with just about every reader on the market and they are always updating it, unlike the Sony reader's software.
12-11-10 | 04:58 PM
#299
Banned by request
Re: The Official eBook & eReader Thread
I hadn't used Calibre in a while, looks like they're really improved their interface. Which format is the one for the Kindle?
12-11-10 | 07:11 PM
#300
Re: The Official eBook & eReader Thread
If you go through the setup wizard you can choose which device you are using and it automatically changes the default to what your device needs.