E-Books and E-Book Readers
Prepared by the Monroe County Library System
E-Book Readers
Key Points to Remember
Not all e-book readers will read all e-book file formats.
Some e-book readers are limited to specific e-book stores.
Some e-book readers double as music players, and can run other applications.
A Selection of Popular E-Book Readers
Amazon Kindle 2
Price: $259.00
Storage: 2 GB
Features: Paper-like 6” E Ink display, books can be downloaded anywhere reception is available using
free 3G wireless, text-to-speech audio, does not require a PC, 400,000 e-books available from Amazon.com, access to Wikipedia, built in dictionary, basic web browser, MP3 player.
Amazon Kindle DX
Price: $489.00
Storage: 4 GB
Features: Paper-like 9.7” E Ink display, books can be downloaded anywhere reception is available using
free 3G wireless, text-to-speech audio, does not require a PC, 400,000 e-books available from Amazon.com, access to Wikipedia, built in dictionary, basic web browser, MP3 player.
Barnes and Noble Nook
Price: $259.00
Storage: 2 GB
Features: Paper-like 6” E Ink display, books can be downloaded anywhere reception is available using
free 3G wireless, Wi-Fi, 3.5” color touch screen control display, ability to “lend” some books to other
Nook and Barnes and Noble eReader users, user replaceable battery, storage expansion via microSD
card slot, MP3 player.
Sony Reader Touch Edition
Price: $265.99
Storage: 512 MB
Features: Paper-like 6” E Ink display, storage expansion via SD Card slot .
Sony Reader Pocket Edition
Price: $169.99
Storage: 512 MB
Features: Paper-like 5” E Ink display.
E-Book Readers
Apple iPad (available in April)
Price: $499.00 - $829.00
Storage: 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB
Features: 9.7” color LCD multi-touch touchscreen display, Wi-Fi, paid 3G available on some models, MP3
players, video player, 140,000 third-party applications, full web browser, email client, virtual keyboard.
Interead COOL-ER
Price: $249.00
Storage: 1 GB
Features: Paper-like 6” E Ink display, storage expansion via SD Card slot.
E-Book File Formats
Key Points to Remember
Not all e-book readers will read all e-book file formats.
Some file formats are proprietary, and can only be read by specific e-book readers.
EPUB, PDF, and plain text file formats are the most widely supported formats by both publishers and e-book reader
manufacturers.
Key Vocabulary Terms to Remember
Open Standard: A file format that can be used by any company without paying royalty or licensing fees.
Proprietary: A file format that can only be used by the creating company, or, if the creating company permits,
third parties that have purchased a usage license.
Digital Rights Management: Also known as DRM, is technology that limits the use and duplication of copyrighted
works. DRM may limit the number of times you may read, watch, or listen to a file, what type of device you can use
the file on, the number of devices you can use the file on, or whether or not you can make a copy of the file.
A Selection of the Most Popular Open Standard E-Book File Formats
EPUB
Short for electronic publication, EPUB is an open standard for e-books created by the International Digital Publishing
Forum. It is widely supported by publishers, and e-book reader hardware manufactures. Additionally, free software is
available to read EPUB format e-books on most computers. The EPUB format can support images, and text is reflowable, meaning the text size can be resized without compromising word wrap around images and at page margins.
PDF
PDF, or Portable Document Format, is file format created by Adobe Systems. It is a well established open standard that
can be read by most computers, and is supported by most e-book readers. Like EPUB, it can display images. However,
unlike EPUB, it does not support word wrap.
Plain Text
Plain Text is the “lowest common denominator” of open standard text files. It can be read by virtually all computers,
and most e-book readers. It however does not support images, or digital rights management, making it a poor choice
for publishers who wish to block users from making unauthorized copies of their works.
A Selection of the Most Popular Proprietary E-Book File Formats
Kindle
The Kindle file format can only be read by Amazon Kindle, Kindle 2, and Kindle DX e-book readers. Software is available
from Amazon to read the Kindle format on PCs, as well as iPhones and iPod Touches. Mac and BlackBerry versions of
the Kindle software is currently being developed.
eReader
eReader is a file format created by Palm Media. Note that eReader (the file format) and e-book readers (the physical
device), sometimes referred to as just e-readers, are two different things. The eReader format is used in conjunction
with the EPUB file format by Barnes and Noble’s online e-book store. Software is available to view eReader formatted
books on PCs, Macs, iPhones, iPod Touches, and BlackBerry.
BBeB
Short for Broad Band eBook, BBeB was created by Sony and Canon for Sony e-book readers.
E-Book File Formats Comparison Chart
Format
Extension
DRM Support
Image Support Word Wrap Support
Open Standard
Plain Text
.txt
No
No
Yes
Yes
HTML
.html
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
PostScript
.ps
No
Yes
No
Yes
Portable Document
Format
.pdf
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
DjVu
.djvu
?
Yes
No
Yes
FictionBook
.fb2
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Mobipocket
.prc, .mobi
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Kindle
.azw
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
eReader
.pdb
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
BroadBand eBook
.lrf, .lrx
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
EPUB
.epub
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Tome Reader
.tr2, .tr3
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
ArghosReader
.aeh
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Microsoft Reader
.lit
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Chart Information from Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_e-book_formats
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Azbooka WISEreader Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
COOL-ER Classic
Hanlin e-Reader V3
Hanvon WISEreader
iRex iLiad
Iriver Story
Nokia N900
NUUTbook 2
Onyx Boox 60
Pocketbook 301 Plus Yes
Yes
Barnes & Noble
Nook
Sony Reader
Viewsonic VEB612
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
EPUB
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
HTML
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Mobipocket
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
Fiction
Book
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
DjVu
*iPad will not display Kindle format natively. It will display Kindle format if the Amazon Kindle app is downloaded to the iPad.
Chart information from Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_e-book_formats
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Apple iPad
PDF
Yes
Plain Text
Amazon Kindle 2, DX Yes
E-Reader
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Broadband
eBook
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
eReader
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes*
Yes
Kindle
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
WOLF
E-Book Reader File Format Compatibility Chart
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Tome
Reader
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Open
eBook
Digital Rights Management
Key Points to Remember
Most e-books purchased through online stores come with some sort of Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology.
In order for an e-book reader to display an e-book, both the e-book file format and DRM must be compatible with
the e-book reader.
DRM restrictions can be subject to change with little or no prior warning.
Key Vocabulary Terms to Remember
Digital Rights Management: Also known as DRM, is technology that limits the use and duplication of copyrighted
works. DRM may limit the number of times you may read, watch, or listen to a file, what type of device you can use
the file on, the number of devices you can use the file on, or whether or not you can make a copy of the file.
A Selection Popular DRM Technologies
ADEPT
Created by Adobe, ADEPT, or Adobe Digital Editions Protection Technology, allows users to download an e-book on to
six devices at one time. E-books that are available through the Monroe County Library System and Overdrive are protected by Adobe ADEPT DRM.
Amazon DRM
E-books sold through Amazon’s online store are protected by their proprietary DRM. Most books can be downloaded
to six devices at a time, although for some titles that limit is less .
FairPlay
E-books sold through Apple’s iBookstore incorporate their FairPlay DRM.
Barnes and Noble DRM
E-books sold through Barnes and Noble’s online bookstore incorporate their proprietary DRM. E-books protected by
Barnes and Noble DRM can be downloaded to one device at a time. However, Barnes and Noble e-books can be lent to
another person for up to 14 days.
E-Book Reader
Adobe ADEPT
Apple FairPlay
Amazon DRM
Barnes and Noble DRM
Barnes and Noble Nook
Yes
No
No
Yes
Amazon Kindle
No
No
Yes
No
Apple iPad
No
Yes
Yes*
Yes**
Sony Reader Daily Edition
Yes
No
No
No
Sony Reader Pocket Edition
Yes
No
No
No
Sony Reader PRS-505
Yes
No
No
No
Sony Reader PRS-700
Yes
No
No
No
Sony Reader Touch Edition
Yes
No
No
No
Windows PC
Yes***
No
Yes***
Yes***
Apple Macintosh
Yes***
No
Yes***
Yes***
*iPad is not compatible with Amazon DRM natively. It can display e-books protected by the Amazon DRM if the Amazon Kindle app is installed.
**iPad is not compatible with Barnes and Noble DRM natively. It can display e-books protected by the Barnes and Noble DRM if the Barnes and Noble app is installed.
***Windows PCs and Macs are compatible with these various DRM technologies once the proper software is installed on the computer.
E-Book Reader Software
Key Points to Remember
Virtually all e-book file formats can be read on a computer once the proper software is downloaded.
Many people may be unaware that they already own devices (computers, smart phones, PDAs) that can make use
of e-books.
There are many free e-book reader programs available for computers and smart phones.
A Selection of E-Book Reader Software for Computers
Adobe Digital Editions
http://www.adobe.com/products/digitaleditions/
Formats: PDF, EPUB, XHTML
PC and Mac
Lexcycle Stanza
http://www.lexcycle.com/download
Formats: PDF, eReader, EPUB, Kindle, Mobipocket, HTML, Microsoft Reader, FictionBook, plain text, and more
PC and Mac
Barnes and Noble eReader
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ebooks/index.asp
Formats: EPUB, eReader
PC and Mac
Amazon Kindle
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=kcp_pc_mkt_lnd?docId=1000426311
Formats: Kindle
PC, Mac
A Selection of E-Book Reader Software for Smart Phones
Lexcycle Stanza
http://www.lexcycle.com/
Formats: PDF, eReader, EPUB, Kindle, Mobipocket, HTML, Microsoft Reader, FictionBook, plain text, and more
iPhone
Barnes and Noble eReader
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ebooks/index.asp
Formats: EPUB, eReader
iPhone, BlackBerry
Amazon Kindle
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=kcp_pc_mkt_lnd?docId=1000426311
Formats: Kindle
iPhone, BlackBerry
Aldiko
http://www.aldiko.com/
Formats: EPUB
Android
Free E-Book Resources
Key Points to Remember
Virtually all works of popular classic literature are in the public domain, and can be downloaded free of charge and
without any DRM restrictions.
ManyBooks
http://manybooks.net/
Formats: EPUB, Kindle, Microsoft Reader, Sony Reader, Mobipocket, Rocket, HTML, RTF, plain text
Genres: fiction and non-fiction
Project Gutenberg
http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page
Formats: EPUB, Mobipocket, HTML, plain text
Genres: Out-of-copyright general fiction and non-fiction
Internet Archive
http://www.archive.org/details/texts
Formats: EPUB, PDF, Kindle, HTML, plain text
Genres: Out-of-copyright general fiction and non-fiction
Wikibooks
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Main_Page
Formats: PDF, Open Document
Genres: Textbooks and how-to manuals
Mobipocket
http://www.mobipocket.com/freebooks/default.aspx
Formats: Mobipocket
Genres: general fiction and non-fiction
Baen Free Library
http://www.baen.com/library/defaultTitles.htm
Formats: EPUB, Kindle, Microsoft Reader, Sony Reader, Mobipocket, Rocket, HTML, RTF
Genres: fantasy and science-fiction
Planet eBook
http://www.planetebook.com/
Formats: PDF
Genres: Out-of-copyright general fiction
Additional Reading
E-Book Reader Specification Comparisons and Reviews
Detailed comparisons of dozens of e-readers:
http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/E-book_Reader_Matrix
C-Net Reviews: E-Book Readers:
http://reviews.cnet.com/4566-3508_7-0.html?tag=bc
E-Book reader comparisons:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_e-book_readers
Brief comparisons of a few popular e-readers:
http://technologizer.com/2009/10/26/the-e-reader-explosion-a-cheat-sheet/
E-Book file format comparison:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_e-book_formats
Articles
New E-Readers at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/01/08/ces.ereader/index.html?iref=allsearch
E-Book Buyer’s Guide to Privacy
http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/01/updated-and-corrected-e-book-buyers-guide-privacy