Android tablet-Will i be able to read DRM amazon ebooks on it?

take everything

Hi.
I'm looking at getting a cheapish Android tablet (circa 100 euro).
I was going to get a Kindle but i thought if i can get a tablet for 100 quid it might be a better deal.

I know Android has a Kindle app, but can anyone tell me if DRM ebooks from amazon can be read on an Android tablet with it.
And if so, is it necessary to buy such an ebook by connecting to amazon on the tablet itself.
Or could you say download to a PC and copy it over.

Basically i want to know how locked/DRMed stuff is/what files work when it comes to ebooks on Android.
Or should i just go for a Kindle/Kindle Fire :pac:.

Any help much appreciated.
Thanks.

Chet T16

Anything you can read on a kindle you can read in the app, is that what you're asking?

FWIW a tablet makes a poor substitution for a proper kindle so unless you want a tablet as well just get a kindle

Zagato

If you get a cheap tablet, it will probably not have access the Android market to download the kindle app. So unless you want to do a lot of modding, make sure you get a tablet with native access to Android market, which may not be that easy

take everything

Anything you can read on a kindle you can read in the app, is that what you're asking?

Yeah.
I want to know if DRM amazon ebook files will work with the Kindle app on an Android tablet.

FWIW a tablet makes a poor substitution for a proper kindle so unless you want a tablet as well just get a kindle

Why are the disadvantages of a tablet as an ereader?
Would a resistive screen be even worse than capacitive?
I'd probably use the tablet for other stuff- music, video, casual browsing.
That's why i'm rethinking the purchase of the Kindle.

take everything

Zagato wrote: »

If you get a cheap tablet, it will probably not have access the Android market to download the kindle app. So unless you want to do a lot of modding, make sure you get a tablet with native access to Android market, which may not be that easy

Internet access on the tablet will presumably allow you to connect to Amazon and download ebooks that way, yeah?

Are you saying that without access to the Android market on the tablet you can't put the Kindle app on the device. Surely you can get the Kindle apk file and throw it on (the tablet i'm looking at has a couple of usb ports).

Also, do some of these tablets not have access to the Android market? That seems strange.

Either way i'd be looking at getting ebooks from Amazon. So the main query is: will DRM amazon ebooks work on an Android tablet.
Thanks.

Goodshape

take everything wrote: »

Why are the disadvantages of a tablet as an ereader?

The bright back-lit screen on a tablet is the disadvantage. It's like reading from a computer monitor.. not the most comfortable for longer periods. Kindle uses e-ink, which is just like reading paper.

On the flip-side, Kindle is only for reading. It's fantastic at that but the black and white slow-refresh display makes it pretty useless at anything else.

I'd worry though, if what you really want is a book reader and you buy a cheap tablet instead, you'll end up with a bad tablet and a much worse book reader. Kindle's are fantastic at what they do, cheap tablets aren't fantastic at anything really.


For the main question, as said already, yes -- there's a Kindle app on Android and you can read anything you read anything you buy from Amazon through that.

Professey Chin

take everything wrote: »

Internet access on the tablet will presumably allow you to connect to Amazon and download ebooks that way, yeah?

Are you saying that without access to the Android market on the tablet you can't put the Kindle app on the device. Surely you can get the Kindle apk file and throw it on (the tablet i'm looking at has a couple of usb ports).

Also, do some of these tablets not have access to the Android market? That seems strange.

Either way i'd be looking at getting ebooks from Amazon. So the main query is: will DRM amazon ebooks work on an Android tablet.
Thanks.

If you can get the kindle apk you might be fine (if it works on the tablet)

Its not that strange for some of the tablets to not have the official google apps. Any tablet and phone can install the basic android OS but they have to hit a certification standard to have the Google proprietary apps on them like Markey, Youtube and Gmail. Most of the cheap tablets dont hit this cause theyre...well...pretty muck

Zagato

Most of the cheap (often Chinese) tablets don't come with the Android market app, but you're right, you could probably get the kindle apk and sideload it

take everything

The Great Chinholio wrote: »

If you can get the kindle apk you might be fine (if it works on the tablet)

Its not that strange for some of the tablets to not have the official google apps. Any tablet and phone can install the basic android OS but they have to hit a certification standard to have the Google proprietary apps on them like Markey, Youtube and Gmail. Most of the cheap tablets dont hit this cause theyre...well...pretty muck

Thanks lads.
That's surprising (and disappointing).
I would've thought that if there was a Kindle Android app, it would work with Android period.
Failing that i would've thought the apk would install once it's Android.
But presumably if the tablet had access to the Market i would be fine?
Or do you mean some tablets might do some bull**** restricted access to the Market.

Incidentally, when you say a tablet may not have Youtube and Gmail, surely you can use a browser to access these sites on the tablet. Or are we talking issues with flash in the case of Youtube. What would prevent access to gmail on a browser.

I'm looking at these two tablets.
http://www.adverts.ie/laptops/new-7-epad-tablet-pc-4gb-256mb/1080849
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056469697
Anyone know if i'd have problems with these?

Chet T16

The Kindle app will work but you'd need to get it via the market, which you probably won't have. If you get a tablet that has a decent following on the android sites someone will probably have worked on getting it (market) installed but with the chinese One Hung Low brands you can never be sure.

The browser will work fine for gmail and youtube but its barely even comparable to using the proper app, it's like reading books on the kindle app instead of a proper kindle

If you do go for a tablet make sure its not resistive. I picked up an archos 7 for my daughter to use and its awful compared to capacitive screens.

take everything

Thanks.
Yeah i'm a bit wary about the resistive screens myself.
Anyone know what's the story with the Kindle Fire.
It's Android but you can get books from Amazon for it- is that right.
Availability in Ireland?
Access to market in Ireland?

Anyone with experience of it.
Thanks again.

killbillvol2

The two tablets you linked to are rubbish. If you want to read, buy a Kindle. If you want a tablet that's pretty functional and can be used to read then you'll need to spend some money.

Zaph

I recently got an Archos 80 G9, and just out of curiosity I installed the Kindle app and downloaded a free book to see how it compares to the Kindle my fiancée got for Christmas. If you intend doing a lot of reading then get a Kindle, there's no other option. The tablet is fine for reading for short periods, but it's just a computer screen, so you might as well read from your laptop or PC monitor. Because the pages are "printed" on a white background the screen is very bright, to the point where it nearly lights up the room when all other lights are off. It does have the edge over the Kindle in that you can read it in the dark, but that's not something you'd want to do for too long as you'd probably end up with a headache. They're two different pieces of technology designed for two different purposes, so really you need to decide which is the priority for you, a reader or a tablet.

Ste-

Zaph wrote: »

I recently got an Archos 80 G9, and just out of curiosity I installed the Kindle app and downloaded a free book to see how it compares to the Kindle my fiancée got for Christmas. If you intend doing a lot of reading then get a Kindle, there's no other option. The tablet is fine for reading for short periods, but it's just a computer screen, so you might as well read from your laptop or PC monitor. Because the pages are "printed" on a white background the screen is very bright, to the point where it nearly lights up the room when all other lights are off. It does have the edge over the Kindle in that you can read it in the dark, but that's not something you'd want to do for too long as you'd probably end up with a headache. They're two different pieces of technology designed for two different purposes, so really you need to decide which is the priority for you, a reader or a tablet.

When reading in the dark hit Menu > View Options > Sepia or Dark.
Shouldn't hurt your eyes as much.

Shiminay

Bumping this thread as I find myself in a similar situation to the OP. However, I'm looking at a tablet over a Kindle because I read a lot of comics and so will want a colour screen.

Looked into a Barnes & Noble Nook which has .CBZ (Comic Book Zip) file support out of the box, but B&N accounts are region locked (although they told me the device itself will work here, but they won't ship it here).

I've been looking for a 7" Android tablet for similar money to a Kindle (which is a fantastic device and would already be in the post if comics weren't an issue for me ). My Kindle app is probably the most used on my phone and whereas I was quite a slow reader before with books, I'm getting through a book a week now on the phone.

Someone on Twitter linked me to this and it seems a pretty solid bit of kit and is in my price range. He said he'll get back to me when his arrives to let me know how he's getting on with it.

The reality is I just want this as a colour reader, I'm almost never more than 10 feet away from a proper PC for net access and all that, so I'm not all that fussed about that side of things, but extra features are always nice I'll need to have a memory card slot of course and USB transfer and recharging would be extremely useful.

Spotted this - not amazing I know, but I'm not exactly opposed to being able to walk around the corner and pick it up rather than having to wait for something to be shipped from the intertrons

Heroditas

take everything wrote: »

Thanks.
Yeah i'm a bit wary about the resistive screens myself.
Anyone know what's the story with the Kindle Fire.
It's Android but you can get books from Amazon for it- is that right.
Availability in Ireland?
Access to market in Ireland?

Anyone with experience of it.
Thanks again.

Kindle Fire is not available here yet.
I got my wife one for Christmas. She can browse the net and download/read books on it but can't access the Amazon Android store because it's limited to US users.
You need to root it and then load the standard Android Market app.
She's happy with it though - she can surf the net, access Facebook etc and read books.
I may root it if it doesn't become available here soon. Once it's available here (apparently soon) it should then be possible to access Amazon's version of Android Market.