Slog Comments
Microsoft Buys Its Way into the Tablet Business
1
If the ebook reader program is better than the default, then it will be an improvement. I tried to root my wifes nook and I could not get marketplace to work, nor could I install any 3rd party ebook reader programs.
2
This isn't really Microsoft buying into the tablet business, this is how they are resolving their patent dispute with B&N. B&N refused to pay the Android-related patent royalties that everyone else seems to be doing, and Microsoft wasn't having any of it. So the compromise is they get a piece of B&N's e-reader business with a guaranteed partnership when Windows 8 releases later this year.
5
I'm feeling skittish about having bought $200 to $300 worth of Kindle books now since getting my Kindle in October.
I'm thinking...do I own these books? What if Amazon goes down the drain like Apple is. Can I read my books on the Nook...ever?!
I want to be an e-Reader, but they're making it hard...wish someone would create a standard for all readers and publishers.
7
@5 Apple going down the drain... in what universe? If you're talking about iBooks, well... I'm sure people will always be able to read them on an Apple device of some sort, but at a certain point it may resemble trying to play CDs with an iPod. Ripping required.
This is the central problem of DRMed Ebooks for consumers: you don't own the book in any physical form and it is literally wrapped in copy protection and software restrictions. In one case a couple of years back, Amazon literally deleted a book (1984, I believe) from thousands of Kindles with a keystroke. There are some simple(ish) tools to remove those copy protections (Calibre), but it's a bit much to expect the average consumer to know about and use these tools.
My current ebook philosophy is to buy the book in physical form, then "digitally acquire" an EPUB with no DRM of the same book. Physical copies of books are often orders of magnitude cheaper than their EBooks, and this helps ease my conscience. I refuse to tie myself to an ebook ecosystem that will not let me move my books from one device to another.
This is the central problem of DRMed Ebooks for consumers: you don't own the book in any physical form and it is literally wrapped in copy protection and software restrictions. In one case a couple of years back, Amazon literally deleted a book (1984, I believe) from thousands of Kindles with a keystroke. There are some simple(ish) tools to remove those copy protections (Calibre), but it's a bit much to expect the average consumer to know about and use these tools.
My current ebook philosophy is to buy the book in physical form, then "digitally acquire" an EPUB with no DRM of the same book. Physical copies of books are often orders of magnitude cheaper than their EBooks, and this helps ease my conscience. I refuse to tie myself to an ebook ecosystem that will not let me move my books from one device to another.
8
I'd love to see a subscription e-book service - like Rhapsody or Rdio, except for books instead of music. A monthly fee for all-you-can-read.
I'm surprised no one has such a service up and running. The music industry loves the stream of reliable income that subscription services provide (vs. sales income that can vary wildly from month to month). I'm sure publishers could be sold on the same concept.
I'm surprised no one has such a service up and running. The music industry loves the stream of reliable income that subscription services provide (vs. sales income that can vary wildly from month to month). I'm sure publishers could be sold on the same concept.
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