Ubuntu – What ebook reading devices work well without Windows or Wine

drmebookshardware

I want to purchase an eBook reader device and eBooks. I don't use Windows, Mac OS or Wine. Most eBooks sold today are encumbered with DRM. Therefore, I need a workflow to buy and read DRM eBooks either using only the device or using Ubuntu.

The three popular types of DRM in use today are:

  1. Adobe Digital Editions(ADE) used with the ePub format on multiple devices with books from several stores. This software requires Windows, Mac or Android. Sony Reader and B&N Nook Apps appear to be variants of ADE.
  2. Apple iTunes. This software requires Windows or Mac (or an iDevice).
  3. Amazon Kindle. This requires, a Kindle, Kindle software (such as on Androids) or Kindle Cloud (through web browser).

This leaves me with two option

  • an Android device with a DRM app (Kindle or ADE)
  • a Kindle

Both can directly communicate with a store and handle the DRM themselves, a computer is not required. To my knowledge there is no Android device with an eInk display.

Other devices are not an option because although the support ePubs with ADE DRM, it appears that a computer with the ADE software or some variant thereof is required (according Google eBooks, B&N, Sony) While many readers have Wifi or 3G, no manufacturer states that you can buy DRM books without going through a computer with the ADE software.

This brings me to the conclusion that Amazon's kindle is the only eInk device that will work for me. Can you name an alternative?

Best Answer

I am the owner of a Kindle and, until a couple of weeks ago, of a Sony Reader. As you explain, and not everyone understood, you can manage both devices with Calibre, but you CAN NOT manage DRM epubs on the Sony unless you use their software (=> Windows). You have to register in Adobe or something like that (actually, I never cared to do it) and it's not possible in Linux.

So your choice is reduced to the Kindle, honestly. First of all, a Kindle is actually a modified Android (it gets recognized as such if you visit certain websites). In addition, I can't think of any Android device with e-ink display.

My advice would be to go for the Kindle. It's a great device for reading, buying from their shop is ridiculously easy and you won't have any problems finding free books for it elsewhere (if you can't find them in .mobi, which is rare, you can convert them with calibre).

I actually bought the Sony in the first place because I was concerned about the EPUB issue, but found out that is almost never an issue.

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