4 ms·

In Germany, Austria and Switzerland all local Book store chains got together to create Tolino, a competitor to kindle. It got the same nice features like apps a

In Germany, Austria and Switzerland all local Book store chains got together to create Tolino, a competitor to kindle. It got the same nice features like apps and sync. And the devices themselves are very good too. But the one thing that sets them apart is that they give you the opportunity to download the EPUB files for e-books and MP3s for audiobooks. Also you can just upload EPUB Files via the web interface. Sure you sometimes pay more, but at least you own what you buy.

llui85 3y ago
Interestingly, Kobo and Tolino use (mostly) the same hardware.
Semaphor 3y ago
> Also you can just upload EPUB Files via the web interface. That works for Kindles via E-Mail.
- deutschepost 3y ago
  When you first convert your books to MOBI. EPUBs don’t work directly.
  - Semaphor 3y ago
    That hasn't been true for a while, epub are supported and their own format is now based on them.
  - e0 3y ago
    Things have changed. EPUB works now, and MOBI is no longer supported. https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=G5WYD9SAF7PGXRNA
    - _v7gu 3y ago
      I get encoding issues when sending books directly as epub, so I have to use a epub->mobi conversion service (sendepubtokindle). Is there any way to fix encoding issues directly on kindle? I would really like to skip a step of conversion.
      - pi3rre 3y ago
        https://kindle-epub-fix.netlify.app https://kindle-epub-fix.netlify.app
- innocenat 3y ago
  Kindle now have a web interface to upload EPUB too.
sarnu 3y ago
In addition to that, many public libraries offer a service where one can lend ebooks. And this is integrated in the tolino. This is based on some DRM system from Adobe, though. But still, a nice thing as an additional source for ebooks.
KeplerBoy 3y ago
I always thought this was just Thalia's device with their own drm. interesting stuff. In my defense: Thalia is the only remaining book store chain here in Austria.
bentley 3y ago
Google Play Books allows you to download an EPUB, but only if the book is from a DRM‐free publisher. Tor Books is one such (sci‐fi) publisher, so I buy their books through Google Play. I don’t know a way to check in advance if a Google Play book is DRM‐shackled. Hopefully, if a purchase does turn out to have DRM, Google would let you return the book for a refund if you haven’t read it, but I haven’t tested that.
- unmole 3y ago
  > I don’t know a way to check in advance if a Google Play book is DRM‐shackled. Atleast the web interface makes it clear in what format the book is downloadable in.
- goosedragons 3y ago
  Kobo does too. Usually it says something like "At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied." and below in the download options it will tell you DRM-free.
RealStickman_ 3y ago
I didn't know Tolino offered DRM-free ebooks, will definitely have to check them out. (According to the FAQ there are some Adobe protected ebooks, but that's rare) I have to buy through one of the bookstores, right?
- deutschepost 3y ago
  Yes. With Thalia at least, all bought e-books show up in the tolino web interface immediately.

llui85 3y ago

Interestingly, Kobo and Tolino use (mostly) the same hardware.

Semaphor 3y ago

> Also you can just upload EPUB Files via the web interface. That works for Kindles via E-Mail.

deutschepost 3y ago
When you first convert your books to MOBI. EPUBs don’t work directly.
- Semaphor 3y ago
  That hasn't been true for a while, epub are supported and their own format is now based on them.
- e0 3y ago
  Things have changed. EPUB works now, and MOBI is no longer supported. https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=G5WYD9SAF7PGXRNA
  - _v7gu 3y ago
    I get encoding issues when sending books directly as epub, so I have to use a epub->mobi conversion service (sendepubtokindle). Is there any way to fix encoding issues directly on kindle? I would really like to skip a step of conversion.
    - pi3rre 3y ago
      https://kindle-epub-fix.netlify.app https://kindle-epub-fix.netlify.app
innocenat 3y ago
Kindle now have a web interface to upload EPUB too.

sarnu 3y ago

In addition to that, many public libraries offer a service where one can lend ebooks. And this is integrated in the tolino. This is based on some DRM system from Adobe, though. But still, a nice thing as an additional source for ebooks.

KeplerBoy 3y ago

I always thought this was just Thalia's device with their own drm. interesting stuff. In my defense: Thalia is the only remaining book store chain here in Austria.

bentley 3y ago

Google Play Books allows you to download an EPUB, but only if the book is from a DRM‐free publisher. Tor Books is one such (sci‐fi) publisher, so I buy their books through Google Play. I don’t know a way to check in advance if a Google Play book is DRM‐shackled. Hopefully, if a purchase does turn out to have DRM, Google would let you return the book for a refund if you haven’t read it, but I haven’t tested that.

unmole 3y ago
> I don’t know a way to check in advance if a Google Play book is DRM‐shackled. Atleast the web interface makes it clear in what format the book is downloadable in.
goosedragons 3y ago
Kobo does too. Usually it says something like "At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied." and below in the download options it will tell you DRM-free.

RealStickman_ 3y ago

I didn't know Tolino offered DRM-free ebooks, will definitely have to check them out. (According to the FAQ there are some Adobe protected ebooks, but that's rare) I have to buy through one of the bookstores, right?

deutschepost 3y ago
Yes. With Thalia at least, all bought e-books show up in the tolino web interface immediately.