E-readers

Just seen your query so thought I'd give it a bump. I hope you find someone who knows the answers but not me I'm afraid. There is a poster called NorthFace who knows everything about technology so I just hope they see this.

I must add this is not the best website for technology queries, so maybe try somewhere else as well.

I actually don’t think kobo is compatible with kindle.

Kobo doesn’t support the Kindle format, it uses something called EPUB format and you would have to convert all your
Kindle books to that. If you’re not technically minded I wouldn’t bother. You need a Kindle or a device that can use a Kindle app, such as your iPad.

I have a kindle (paper white) which is synced to my iPad and iPhone.

I can access all of my library on any of my devices which I find convenient.

A friend has a Kobe as he refuses to support Amazon, they’re not compatible.

I am very happy with my nearly 10-year-old Paperwhite. I have the app on my tablet and phone but prefer the non- reflecting screen of the Kindle. They are not linked to each other likegrannygravy seems to have managed, but they are all logged in to my Amazon account. I reckon that I'll never be able to read all the books that Amazon has on offer so I don't find it necessary to subscribe to another e-reader provider.

Which one you go for is mainly therefore a matter of principle, but for me the main criterion is the non-reflecting screen. They all have slightly different functions and ways of turning the page, selecting books, storing books, etc, so you also need to know what you prefer, although you only find this sort of thing out once you have been using it for a while.

My sons have got into the operating systems of their e-readers and enabled downloads from other providers. No idea how to do that, and it would probably nullify any guarantee.

Thanks everyone. In the interim I’ve discovered that I’d need to convert Kindle books for use on Kobo which is too much faff for me. It looks like I’ll be buying a Kindle and keeping life simple.

Thanks again.

Do buy a Paperwhite I have had one for yars and thought I would upgrade to an Oasis . It was not worth the extra money though it did mean DH got my Paperwhite. It is so good for reading in bright sunlight.

There is nothing to stop you from downloading the Kindle app and the Kobo app onto any/all of your devices. Each app is designed for you to be able to read books in a suitable format.

However, ereaders Kindle and Kobo are, as Blossoming says, tied to different formats and one cannot read books in the format meant for the other. Kobo has a larger range of books available but Amazon has a pretty good range of books too.

Ereaders are specifically designed for just reading although also have audio books available.

Despite having multiple devices to choose from, I always have my Kindle with me as well. I can read in bed at night and not disturb DH, I can also read in bright sunlight, sitting in the garden, it is a comfortable fit in my hand (easier than a real book). The battery life is better than any of my other devices. I'm not too worried about buying books from Amazon, it's the story I care about! I haven't tried a Kobo but there are plenty of reviews available if you carry out an internet search.

Just a quick reminder that if you subscribe to Amazon Prime you can ‘borrow’ Kindle books and return them when you have read them, free of charge. I think the limit is 6 at a time.
There are also free Kindle books available to read and keep, you have to double check that they are free before you click to ‘buy’.