eBook readers and apps
Adobe
-
You can buy eBook readers that support the Adobe system from traditional book shops such as Waterstone's or WH Smith, an increasing number of department stores like John Lewis and Argos, and online from retailers including Sony and Tesco.
-
You can download the Adobe Digital Editions eBook app for PC and Mac from the Adobe website - remember that only the 1.8 preview has accessibility support.
Amazon
-
You can buy the Kindle eBook reader online direct from Amazon, or at a number of shops like John Lewis, Tesco or PC World, if you want to see the device before you buy.
-
You can download the accessible Kindle for PC eBook app from the Kindle for PC with accessibility website.
-
It's also possible to download inaccessible Kindle eBook apps for a variety of other devices from the Amazon website.
Apple
-
Download the iBooks app for your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad from the App Store.
eBooks
The most important thing about an eBook is its format, as this determines which eBook readers and apps it will work with. The information below is a start, but you may well be able to acquire books for your reader or app from other outlets.
Adobe
You can buy eBooks in Adobe format online from a large number of outlets, and you may even be able to borrow them from your local public library. Example retailers include Foyles, Waterstone's, WH Smith, Blackwell Online and The Book Depository. Example publishers include HarperCollins, Mills and Boon, Penguin and Random House.
Amazon
The Kindle Store has over 800,000 eBooks available for sale or free download in the UK. You can order these wirelessly through your Kindle eBook reader, via your Kindle eBook app, or online via their website.
At the moment, not all books available on the Kindle Store will work with the Kindle Keyboard's text-to-speech feature. The page from which you buy the book will say whether the feature is enabled or not. If you purchase a book on which the feature is disabled, you can still hear it using the "Kindle for PC with accessibility plugin" app.
Apple
Apple currently have over 200,000 eBooks for sale or free download via their iBookstore, which you can access via the iBooks app.
Free (unprotected) eBooks
There are many sites that offer free eBooks on the web. Not all of the books on offer are legal. As a guideline, in the UK, copyright lasts for at least 70 years after a literary work has been published.
-
Project Gutenberg is the oldest producer of free eBooks on the internet and provides ePub, Mobipocket, TXT and HTML formats. Some books are also available as audio versions, read either by human volunteers (i.e. not professional actors, as standard audiobooks are) or with synthetic speech.
-
The Google eBookstore has launched in the UK, and provides a section of free classic eBooks. In most cases these are stored in the cloud, but can be downloaded as ePub or PDF files once you have solved a CAPTCHA.
-
Internet Archive provides free eBooks in a number of formats including ePub, PDF, Mobipocket, TXT and DAISY text formats. These are scanned books, and the quality of the scanning may not be good.
Where to get help with your device
If you have an ereader or a reading app for an exisiting device, and need help our Technology Support Squad Volunteers may be able to assist you.
To find out more, or to get support from our Technology Support Squad, call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999, email helpline@rnib.org.uk or visit our Technology Support Squad pages.