The Rundown
Let’s keep it (relatively) short and sweet. I love bullet points!
Amazon Kindle
Pros:
- The Kindle app works with all my devices. It has apps made for iPad, Android smartphones and tablets, and other platforms.
- I used to install the Windows desktop program on my Linux machine via Wine, but it would refuse to open after subsequent OS updates. Now I don’t have to do that as Amazon has also released its Cloud Reader that works on browsers − including my browser of choice, Google Chrome.
- I also like that I can change the page background, font size and font type of my e-books. My eyes get tired easily, and it’s nice to have a feature that helps to decrease the strain.
- Amazon provides a broad selection of e-books, and most authors and publishers make their books available for Amazon first before accommodating other platforms.
Cons:
- I observed that Kindle Edition prices are sometimes higher than the prices for hardback/paperback versions of the same title.
- Read: A debate on Askville on this particular topic, and these articles on Publishers Weekly and CNET. Turns out it isn’t limited to Amazon.
- The iOS app doesn’t allow users to buy Kindle Edition books directly from the app, while Android app and Cloud Reader users can easily go to the Kindle Store and click away until they go into debt.
- Apparently, this is also the case for Barnes & Noble and Kobo. David Carnoy of CNET explains why.
- Amazon uses different e-book formats (KF8 and AZW) for Kindle Edition products, so you can’t transfer your purchases to and read them on other apps or desktop software. Boo!
- For payment methods, users have to input their credit card details. I’m not too keen on that, especially when there are other services that don’t require you to do that to get your e-book fix.
Barnes & Noble NOOK
Pros:
- The prices of some NOOK titles are lower than those seen on Amazon. But be careful; online prices often change! Here’s an example. Sometime in December (around the second week, if I remember correctly), I saw that the price for the NOOK Book version of the Junot Diaz bestseller This Is How You Lose Her was US$2 lower on Barnes & Noble than on Amazon, and a few dollars lower than on Kobo. As of post time, the book goes for US$12.99 on both B&N and Amazon.
- Note: Since both online book retailers now offer the same price for that particular title, and B&N won’t let me buy from them (see below), I went for Amazon instead.
- The B&N NOOK for PC software can be installed on my Ubuntu Linux distro via Wine. Sweet! B&N also provides a lot of alternatives for other platforms. (Yup, it also has a web app.)
- The B&N site and app have a nicer and cleaner look. It’s not an important factor for most people; I just prefer B&N’s overall look over Amazon’s and Kobo’s.
- Like Amazon, B&N also has a good selection of e-books. The company’s presence in the e-book and e-reader business also provides the publishing world an alternative to Amazon’s increasing influence.
- Read Julie Bosman’s January 2012 article on Barnes & Noble, published in the New York Times.
Cons:
- B&N customers have to have a US billing address.
- A workaround was introduced late last year: Globe Telecom teamed up with American Express to produce the GCASH American Express Virtual Card. A lot of Filipino tech and fashion bloggers gave it a whirl; a simple Google search would unearth their blog entries and give you a good look at the service’s pros and cons. Some bloggers reported that the virtual card can be used for B&N, too.
- I can’t use B&N’s mobile apps for Android and iOS due to country restrictions. Baduy.
Kobo Books
Pros:
- The Kobo app for iOS automatically downloads all the books in your library. Saw this happen when I retired my first-generation Apple iPad, transferred all apps and data to the fourth-generation version, and launched the Kobo app for the first time on the new device. Had to wait a while thanks to a sluggish Internet connection, but yeah, I think this feature is really nice − on Amazon Kindle apps, all book downloads are user-initiated.
- Kobo supports different e-book formats and mobile devices, and provides an app for Google Chrome users, which means I can read my Kobo Books on my Linux machine. Haven’t tried installing the Kobo PC app via Wine, though.
- I can pay for my books via PayPal. Major pogi points!
- Users can also change backgrounds/themes, brightness level and font sizes, just like on the Kindle.
Cons:
- Kobo usually charges higher for books compared to Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Pogi points, gone. That’s about the only thing keeping me from buying more from Kobo, really.
Verdict
As I said at the beginning of this blog entry, I’ve always been a Kindle user. But now I have a fallback in Kobo Books; sometimes it comes through for me and gives me the same e-books for a lower price. I still use Kindle apps most of the time, though, so I guess Amazon wins… for now.
Come on, Barnes & Noble, don’t give Filipino bookworms a hard time. Let us buy from you and use your apps without any restrictions! Think of all the sales you’re missing out on. 😉
In The Future…
Maybe I’ll give iBooks and Google Books a shot. Isa ka pa, Google. Please make Google Books available to Filipino customers!
(Next: We’re not yet done…)