Ebooks are electronic versions of books that can be read on devices such as Ebook readers. However, there’s nothing stopping you from reading an Ebook on a smartphone or tablet, or even a computer. An Ebook is simply a book in file format that can be opened and read on virtually any device (provided it has an app or program that can open the purchased file format; more on this later).
How is an Ebook different from an audiobook?
What’s the difference between an Ebook and an audiobook?
An audiobook is also a book in file format, but read by a professional narrator or actor, or often even a team of narrators/authors. In other words, an audiobook is a book read aloud, an MP3 file that can be simply listened to like a music file.
Advantages of Ebooks
Ebooks have many advantages. The main one is space savings (no need for additional shelves or bookshelves), as you can fit several hundred books on a single device/reader. Another advantage is ease of access and often a lower price than paper books.
It is invaluable that when reading an Ebook you can increase the font size (i.e. “increase the font size in a PDF“), which is very convenient, especially for people who have vision problems and find reading paper books difficult.
What formats can an Ebook come in? EPUB, MOBI, PDF
Many readers associate Ebooks with PDF files. Such files are easy to open on almost any device. Even a web browser or a pre-installed smartphone app can handle them. But does this mean that Ebooks are just PDFs? Of course not.
It sometimes happens that Publio customers submit a complaint to its customer service department that the purchased file is damaged because it cannot be opened, is in some “strange format” and is not a PDF.
It’s true that the standard Ebook format these days is “EPUB” and/or “MOBI,” and publishers are even avoiding the PDF format. Why?
The PDF format is most familiar to readers who haven’t had much experience with e-books. It has a fixed page layout and doesn’t allow for font size adjustments (pages can be enlarged, but this isn’t convenient on smaller devices, as they have to be moved sideways because the page doesn’t fit on the screen). Therefore, it’s not entirely considered a proper e-book format.
PDFs can be read comfortably on computers, laptops, and larger tablets. Currently, PDFs are primarily available in educational and specialized publications that contain many tables and charts, or where a fixed page layout is desired for a given publication. And if you want to edit a PDF file, you can choose a reliable PDF editor such as SwifDoo PDF.
PDF files are ideal for e-press, illustrated magazines, technical books with a large number of photos, diagrams, graphs, etc.
EPUB/MOBI
An EPUB/MOBI file is an Ebook format that adapts to the size and orientation of the screen you’re reading it on. An EPUB/MOBI file is better for reading on mobile devices because it allows you to change the font, text size, and background color.
Simply put, an EPUB/MOBI file is a type of text file that “flows” onto your device and looks somewhat like a web page—it adjusts to your device’s screen, making it more comfortable to read.
Which Kindle format should I choose?
One of the most popular Ebook readers is the Kindle, manufactured by Amazon. Like Ebook readers from other companies, the Kindle has an e-ink screen that’s easy on the eyes and doesn’t cause glare, and an LED backlight that allows for reading in the dark. Newer versions offer adjustable backlight color and brightness, and even night mode (black background, light text). The Amazon Kindle has built-in memory for thousands of books and, thanks to its Wi-Fi module, allows for wireless Ebook file transfer.
Wondering which Ebook format to choose for your Kindle? The reader supports many file formats. However, it’s crucial to note that as of November 2023, the most important format for Kindle Ebooks is simply EPUB.
After numerous announcements, Amazon has enabled wireless shipping of this format on Kindle, but has also announced that it will no longer support MOBI file shipping. This means that Ebooks will likely increasingly be available only in the EPUB format. In our opinion, the MOBI format will gradually become obsolete.
How to choose the right e-book format?
Deciding which format to choose should take into account a number of factors, such as your hardware, your layout and interactivity preferences, and the source of your e-books.
Format selection criteria
When making your decision, consider the following:
- The type of e-book reading device you have;
- Requirements regarding text layout and fidelity to the original;
- Need for access to multimedia and interactivity;
- Preferences for modifying text appearance;
- E-book source – not all bookstores offer every format.
- Device compatibility
What to choose?
If you primarily use a Kindle, choose the MOBI format. It’s optimized for the device and provides the best reading experience. If you use other e-readers or prefer greater flexibility, EPUB is a better choice. It works across multiple platforms and offers more options for personalizing the text. While PDF is well compatible with most of the devices.
Both formats have their place in the e-book market, and it’s worth knowing their strengths before making a choice.