The Amazon Kindle finally supports the EPUB format, well almost

Very simple to use, readers can also be annoying when it comes to reading electronic books (ebooks) in certain formats. Because on this ground, the big brands which also have an online bookstore do not always agree. For example, Amazon Kindle models mainly accept the AZW house file format and refuse ebooks in EPUB format, which is however one of the most popular on the web. Conversely, the Kobo readers of Rakuten/Fnac easily recognize the EPUB format but disdain the Azw ebooks cut for the Kindle.

Convert a ePub to Kindle for free with caliber

You have a Kindle or Kobo reader and you have been sent to you electronic books that your device cannot display ? With free caliber software, a few clicks are enough to change their format and solve the problem.

• AZW or EPUB: Formats and readers
• Convert one ebook to another format
• Transfer an ebook to a reader

Digital readers are great devices to read in peace without sicing your eyes to decipher Riquiqui characters. Their screen based on electronic ink (e-ink) is perfectly suited to reading with comfort close to traditional paper book unlike the OLED or LCD tiles of tablets or smartphones that have quickly been too dazzling. If you are not yet equipped but ready to let yourself be tempted, make a little detour to the purchasing guide that we have dedicated to them.

Azw or ePub: what format for which reader ?

Very simple to use, readers can also be annoying when it comes to reading electronic books (ebooks) in certain formats. Because on this ground, the big brands which also have an online bookstore do not always agree. For example, Amazon Kindle models mainly accept the AZW house file format and refuse ebooks in EPUB format, which is however one of the most popular on the web. Conversely, the Kobo readers of Rakuten/Fnac easily recognize the EPUB format but disdain the Azw ebooks cut for the Kindle.

Fortunately, free software is there to harmonize both worlds: caliber. This free tool developed since 2006 allows in a few clicks to convert electronic books from one format to another and, thus, to adapt them to different readers. It is thus possible to transform an EPUB file into AZW and vice versa or to use other formats such as Mobi or PDF. Certainly, its interface has a slightly dated look. But caliber is devilishly effective and continues to take advantage of regular updates of its developers. In addition, it is available on MacOS, Windows, Linux and also benefits from a tool to make the link with iPhone and iPad and Android devices. Practical !

However, attention ! Caliber works with all electronic books as soon as they do not embark on digital locks. Indeed, the books bought in Amazon or Fnac online bookstores, for example, include a DRM (Digital Rights Management or Digital Rights Management in French) system intended to protect copyright and preventing their Copy or their modification. Caliber remains unable to display the content of these books and, even more, to convert them to another format. On the other hand, for all the other electronic books that you find on the web (on free ebooks, the Gutenberg project, books for all, Biblebook, or the Romande digital library, to name a few), caliber goes Allow you to adapt them in a turner in your reader.

How to convert an EPUB file for a Kindle ?

Most of the electronic books that are found on the web adopt the EPUB format. This is readable immediately on the majority of readers (Kobo, Bookeen, Vivlio, etc.), but not on the Amazon Kindle models. With caliber, you will be able to convert these ePub files to azw3 format recognized by the Kindle. Obviously, the reciprocal remains possible and you can also transform an AZW3 file to the EPUB format in the same way.

Install Caliber on the computer

• Caliber is free and free software available for the main operating systems. Download the version that suits your computer.

• Launch the installation of the software. Choose French In the drop -down menu Choose Your Language, then click on Following.

• Caliber offers to indicate the model of reader you use. However, we advise you to choose Generic in the section Manufacturers And Generic e-ink device in the section Reading devices To keep all latitude in the settings in order to be able to easily manage any reader afterwards.

• Finally click on To end. Caliber displays your digital book library. For the moment it has no title apart from the software starting guide.

Convert a book with caliber

• From a windows explorer window or macOS Finder, slide the EPUB file that you want to transform into the AZW3 file in the caliber window.

• The file is instantly recognized by the software. Its coverage and summary appear in the preview component on the right.

• Click on the right mouse button on The name of the book in the central area of ​​the window. In the contextual menu that unfolds, choose Convert books> Convert (one book at a time).

• A new window appears on the screen. It presents, in large format this time, the cover of the book to be converted. Top left, the drop -down menu Entry format indicate what is the current file format of the title, EPub SO.

• At the top right of the window, click on the drop -down menu Output, Then, in the list that appears, choose the file format of the Kindle of Amazon, theAzw3. Validate the button with a click OK lower right of the window.

• The file conversion starts immediately. It only requires a few seconds. It manifests itself at the bottom right of the window by the mention Tasks followed by a figure (the number of books during treatment).

• When the operation is completed, your book in AZW3 format now rubs shoulders with its original version (EPUB) in the folder where caliber makes its records on your computer. If you have not changed this setting, the access path is the user folder> Caliber library. It only remains to transfer the ebook file to your reader. Do not close the software yet.

The Amazon Kindle finally supports the EPUB format, well almost

Over the past 15 years, Amazon has done everything not to take care of the EPUB, this time that’s it, the stage is (almost) crossed.

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This is the story of a net giant who is repeated. While competition like Sony, Barnes & Nobles and many other manufacturers of electronic readers have chosen to take care of the EPUB format, Amazon has chosen to rely on another format, the .Mobi, inherited from its acquisition of the French company Mobipocket in 2005 and the .AzW, a .Mobi re -enlisted by Amazon.

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In theory, therefore, the Kindle reader therefore only supports her own format in order to push the user to go through the Amazon catalog for his purchases. To read an EPUB, you had to go through the caliber software to convert it before sending it to the reader. A tedious additional step that can push the consumer to other models.

Because the online offer of digital books has largely expanded and many publishers offer it at a reduced price, by offering in some cases a greater part to the author. An argument of sale, a way for the reader to support its favorite author and especially the risk for Amazon to see customers turn away from the Kindle who complicates their lives.

The EPUB format almost compatible

Amazon would therefore have decided to take care of the EPUB format, but not in a native way. Concretely, the Kindle will still not be able to read an EPUB directly, but the application will allow it to be converted to the KF8 format which is technically not an EPUB.

The web giant is therefore bent not to take a “universal” format in charge (recalling a certain brand with an apple) directly, but at least it simplifies the lives of users who could get tired of going through third -party software like Caliber.

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