SfC Home > Entrepreneurship > Self-Publishing >
eBook Readers
by Ron Kurtus (3 January 2014)
An ebook reader—or e-reader—is a device upon which you can read your ebooks. Typcially, an ebook reader is a dedicated device used primarily for reading material. There are also devices that have mutliple uses, including reading books. Finally, there is downloadable software applications that allow you to read on a computer.
As an independent publisher, you should be releasing your books in electronic or digital forms, besides the hardcopy form. Since there are a number of ebook devices, using various file formals, you not only need to be able to convert your material into those formats but also must make sure it looks good on the major devices.
Another factor is that many ebook reader companies have their own electronic bookstores, where you can submit and sell your books.
Questions you may have include:
- What are the major dedicated e-readers?
- What are some multiple use e-readers?
- How can e-books be read on a computer?
This lesson will answer those questions.
Dedicated e-reader devices
There are a number of devices that are dedicated to reading ebooks.
Major e-readers
Major e-readers are the Kindle and Nook.
Kindle
Amazon's Kindle is the top selling e-reader. File formats used include:
Kindle (AZW), PDF, TXT, MOBI, PRC, HTML, DOC
Nook
The Barnes & Noble Nook is gaining on the Kindle as the top selling e-reader. File formats used include:
EPUB, PDF, XLS, DOC, PPT, PPS, TXT, DOCM, XLSM, PPTM, PPSX, PPSM, DOCX, XLX, PPTX
Other e-readers
- Kobo eReader - EPUB, PDF, Adobe DRM
- Sony Reader - ePub, PDF, BBeB Book, Text, RTF
- BeBook Neo - EPUB, DRM, PDF, TXT, HTML, RTF, MOBI, CHM, PDB.
- Pandigital Novel - EPUB, PDF
Multiple-use devices
Some devices can be used to read ebooks, along with other uses.
The most promenant is the Apple iPad tablet device, which can read e-books in the EPUB and PDFformats.
Amazon.com's Kindle Fire tablet also is an e-reader, besides other uses. It reads the same files as the standard Kindles, but also includes the new KD8 format, which has added features.
PC-based reading
In order to sell more e-books, Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble provide free e-reader software that you can download. Amazon.com provides the Kindle for PC application and Barnes & Noble provides the Nook for PC application.
Adobe Digital Editions and Firefox for EPUB are also intended for reading e-books on your computer.
Summary
An ebook reader—or e-reader—is a device upon which you can read your ebooks. They come as dedicated e-readers, mutliple use devices, and downloadable software applications that allow you to read e-books on a computer.
As an independent publisher, you should test your e-books on the major devices to make sure they display properly.
Always test your material
Resources and references
Websites
eBook Reader Product Comparisons - Top 10 Reviews
Comparison of ebook readers - Wikipedia
Books
Top-rated books on Self-Publishing
Questions and comments
Do you have any questions, comments, or opinions on this subject? If so, send an email with your feedback. I will try to get back to you as soon as possible.
Share
Click on a button to bookmark or share this page through Twitter, Facebook, email, or other services:
Students and researchers
The Web address of this page is:
www.school-for-champions.com/publishing/
ebook_readers.htm
Please include it as a link on your website or as a reference in your report, document, or thesis.
Where are you now?
eBook Readers