Ask HN: Which DRM-free ebook reader to buy?

#1

Post by hendi_ » Mon, Oct 22, 2012, 12:19 PM UTC

Given that Amazon can remotely wipe your Kindle and revoke your access to your "bought" books (see e.g. http://www.bekkelund.net/2012/10/22/outlawed-by-amazon-drm/), which ebook reader should one buy?

Must haves:

  - some kind of e-paper
  - no remote wipe capability
  - can read DRM free books

Nice to have:

  - possible to install free/libre firmware
  - seller doesn't sell DRM'ed books

Re: Ask HN: Which DRM-free ebook reader to buy?

#2

Post by jonasvp » Mon, Oct 22, 2012, 12:44 PM UTC

I'm very happy with my Pocketbook Touch (http://www.pocketbook-int.com/us/products/pocketbook-touch). It seems quite hackable, the vendor is responsive (some employees hang out on www.mobileread.com pretty regularly). The touchscreen works well and the buttons for paging are great.

I've bought one or two books off Amazon and used de De-DRM tools available to put them on there, though it even supports the Adobe DRM (not Amazon's, though). It does have some annoyances but I haven't hit any major snags in several months of use.

Re: Ask HN: Which DRM-free ebook reader to buy?

#3

Post by tonyblundell » Mon, Oct 22, 2012, 12:47 PM UTC

I've been using a Kobo for around a year now.

Plusses:

* They're cheaper than Kindle to buy

* The Kobo store is well stocked and competitively priced

* You can upload your own books easily by dragging and dropping the files as if it's a thumb drive or by using Calibre (see calibre-ebook.com).

* The screen looks just as good as my partner's Kindle.

Re: Ask HN: Which DRM-free ebook reader to buy?

#4

Post by rdrake » Mon, Oct 22, 2012, 12:52 PM UTC

I rather enjoy my Kobo. I'm not sure why it says "Coming Soon" because it's out now.

http://www.kobo.com/koboglo

It's definitely e-paper, I don't believe it has remote wipe, and can read many ebook formats, including DRM-free ones.

Some titles on the Kobo store are DRM-free (and are indicated as such), and the store is massive. If your books are DRM'd, it supports Adobe's DRM scheme.

Re: Ask HN: Which DRM-free ebook reader to buy?

#5

Post by FedericoElles » Mon, Oct 22, 2012, 1:01 PM UTC

The classic nook. I'm from Germany and one friend brought it for me from the states. The B&N nook store is blocked in Germany, so I'm forced to load DRM-free stuff. Most German eBooks stores do not sell DRM-free books, so I'm really really forced to only get DRM-free books. They really don't want my money... :(

Re: Ask HN: Which DRM-free ebook reader to buy?

#6

Post by mikecane » Mon, Oct 22, 2012, 1:10 PM UTC

Nook Touch. It's Android-based and can be rooted to add Kindle, Kobo, other eBook apps.

Re: Ask HN: Which DRM-free ebook reader to buy?

#7

Post by michael37 » Mon, Oct 22, 2012, 1:28 PM UTC

mikecane wrote: post #6

Nook Touch. It's Android-based and can be rooted to add Kindle, Kobo, other eBook apps.

+1. Nook Touch with glowlight, works perfectly with epub2 off the web.

Re: Ask HN: Which DRM-free ebook reader to buy?

#8

Post by JeremyBanks » Mon, Oct 22, 2012, 1:42 PM UTC

A great device fitting your stated "must haves" is this little-known device called the Amazon "Kindle" (without Amazon books).

Between the available devices, they have e-paper displays that are comprable to other devices on the market, so you should be able to find what you want there. They can't lock you from the device or delete books you've loaded onto it yourself. It can read DRM-free books in MOBI format, and there are open-source programs available that can convert from any other format you'd like.

On the other hand: there is alternative firmware available, but I've never used it and can't attest to it's quality. And, unfortunately, the majority of the books Amazon sells are DRMed (AFAIK the decision is left up to the publisher but they almost always opt in), so that's not fantastic.

Re: Ask HN: Which DRM-free ebook reader to buy?

#9

Post by snogglethorpe » Mon, Oct 22, 2012, 1:46 PM UTC

tonyblundell wrote: post #3

I've been using a Kobo for around a year now. Plusses: * They're cheaper than Kindle to buy * The Kobo store is well stocked and competitively priced * You can upload your own books easily by dragging and dropping the files as if it's a thumb drive or by using Calibre (see calibre-ebook.com). * The screen looks just as good as my partner's Kindle.

> The screen looks just as good as my partner's Kindle.

Which kindle though? The screen on the new kindle paperwhite is reportedly a marked improvement over previous models...

Re: Ask HN: Which DRM-free ebook reader to buy?

#10

Post by hendi_ » Mon, Oct 22, 2012, 1:53 PM UTC

JeremyBanks wrote: post #8

A great device fitting your stated "must haves" is this little-known device called the Amazon "Kindle" (without Amazon books). Between the available devices, they have e-paper displays that are comprable to other devices on the market, so you should be able to find what you want there. They can't lock you from the device or delete books you've loaded onto it yourself. It can read DRM-free books in MOBI format, and th…

> They can't lock you from the device or delete books you've loaded onto it yourself.

Is this really true? Given that they can remotely wipe "bought" files how can I know that they can't remotely delete self-loaded files?