A Guide to eBooks, eBook Readers, and DRM

September 12, 2024 02:38 PM Comment(s) By Life Events Content Team

As the world changes, so do our ways of absorbing information. Thanks to technology, written words are no longer bound to physical pages. They've migrated to the digital world, especially into ebooks. With this shift, figuring out the realm of ebooks can be like finding your way through a forest. This includes understanding the different kinds of eBooks, what eBook e-readers do, and dealing with DRM (Digital Rights Management). We'll try to simplify these nitty-gritty details and share some tips. This way, you can get more out of your eBooks and thoroughly enjoy your reading experiences.

The History of eBooks and Their Growth

The concept of eBooks has been around longer than you may think! The first mention of a portable reading device was made in the 1930’s in Bob Brown’s manifesto, where he stated reading should find a new medium, “A simple reading machine which I can carry or move around, attach to any old electric light plug and read hundred-thousand-word novels in 10 minutes if I want to, and I want to.”^[5] That’s also around the same time paperback books debuted. Though it sounds a little like our modern day e-readers, it was not until the late 1990s that a device specifically for reading digital books was introduced. It was followed by the well-known Amazon Kindle eBook launch in 2007. In 2010, Apple released the iPad, iBooks, and its iBookstore on iTunes, selling half a million eBooks in less than a month.^[4] Google's eBookstore also launched, and Amazon reported that, for the first time, eBook sales surpassed hardcover book sales. The rise of eBooks is no joke! Fast forward a decade, and Statista reported that 191 million eBooks were sold in 2020 in the United States alone.^[5] Though print books remain a popular reading format, there's been an uptick in the number of Americans who report reading eBooks, which has increased from 25% to 30% in recent years. In ages 19–29, popular ages for those starting families, the percentage of those reading eBooks is already 42%, according to research published in 2022.^[6] The bottom line for anyone providing education services is to ensure you offer eBooks to meet this population's learning preferences!

A Definition of eBooks

So, what exactly are eBooks? The word "eBook" is short for "electronic book." Think of these as the tech-savvy cousins of printed books that can be read on a computer, e-reader, tablet, or other electronic devices. EBooks are designed to mimic the look and feel of traditional printed books but with the convenience and portability of a digital format. It's reading but with a digital twist—lots of handy new tools and no heavy books to lug around—just a whole library in the palm of your hand.

But are all eBooks built the same? No, they're not! Read on to find out about the different types of eBooks.

Understanding the Types of eBooks

In eBooks, the pages are virtual, but the knowledge and entertainment are unlimited. Did you know there are different types of eBooks? In this section, we'll look at some essential facts you'll want to know before clicking the "buy now" button.

EBooks come in various formats, each with its own features and compatibility. They often include interactive elements like hyperlinks, multimedia content, and search. Plus, some formats can adjust the screen color, font size, and style, making them customizable to the reader's preferences. These formats differ in compatibility with devices and e-readers and their capabilities for reflowable content and fixed layout. Common types of eBooks include:

EPub (reflowable)

This is the most widely supported and user-friendly eBook format, compatible with most e-readers and devices, except Amazon Kindle. EPub files have the extension .epub. This type of eBook allows for reflowable content, meaning the user can control their reading experience. Some typical user features include:

choosing light, sepia, or dark backgrounds
choosing the font type, size, and spacing
changing the formatting to increase line spacing, justification, and white space around the edges
setting the screen to use swipe or scroll
read-aloud functions on a desktop computer for better accessibility
setting bookmarks, highlighting, and notes

The features depend on both the content provided by the publisher in the eBook and the capabilities of the e-reading platform you're using. It's worth noting that even if you have two books from different publishers on the same platform, they might offer different attributes and functionalities.

EPub (Fixed-layout)

This eBook format is similar to a PDF, but it is a true eBook that uses the EPUB format. It is ideal for books with lots of images, graphs, or charts. This format allows for precise placement of text, images, and other visual elements. However, like a PDF, its fixed layout remains consistent across different devices, making this format better suited for tablets and computers.

PDF

PDF (Portable Document Format) is a widely used format for eBooks, especially for graphic-heavy content like illustrated books, comic books, and textbooks. Unlike EPUB, PDFs have a fixed layout, so the text and images don't adjust to fit the screen. The extension for PDF files is .pdf. Have you ever opened and viewed a PDF on your phone? Reading them on a small device with pinching and zooming is certainly possible. However, this format is better suited for larger screens like tablets or computers.

MOBI

MOBI is Amazon's proprietary format, primarily used for Kindle devices and the Kindle marketplace. It's not as common as EPUB, but it's essential for Kindle users. The extension for MOBI files is .mobi.

AZW/AZW3

AZW is another proprietary format Amazon uses for Kindle devices. AZW3 is an updated version of AZW, offering more features and flexibility. These files have the extensions .azw and .azw3, respectively.

IBA

IBA is a format used for Apple's iBooks. It's not as common as EPUB or PDF, but it's essential for Apple users. The extension for IBA files is .iba.

Types of eBook Readers

It's really quite simple to access and read eBooks. Different dedicated e-reader devices, such as Amazon Kindle, Kobo, and Nook, are available on the market. Each offers a range of features, such as non-reflective electronic ink displays, long battery life, and a distraction-free reading experience. However, you actually don't need any specific technology or device. Using various reading apps, eBooks can be read on multi-purpose devices like tablets, smartphones, laptops, and desktop computers.

The most important tip for you to know is that not all books work for all readers. Often, eBooks are only available at certain retailers or directly from the publisher. So unless you're into the newest gadgets, starting with a device you already own and know how to use will provide the most flexibility and convenience.[7]

What is DRM?

DRM stands for Digital Rights Management. It is a method publishers and authors use to protect the rights of the copyright holder. The copyright owner may be the publisher, the author, or someone else. When you purchase a book, you are granted a limited license to view and read the book.

DRM uses various methods such as encryption, access control, and licensing agreements to restrict the ability to copy, print, or share the content. This is done to protect the copyright of the content and prevent unauthorized distribution. While DRM can help protect the rights of content creators, it can also limit the flexibility of how consumers can use the content they have purchased. This is one reason why some books you buy must be viewed or read with specific apps or devices.

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Final Thoughts

E-books provide immense value to busy new parents and healthcare professionals seeking to offer enhanced access to quality information. For new parents, e-books offer the convenience of instantly opening a digital book to read a chapter during late-night feedings or quickly locating a useful tip. There's no need to search for a physical book or sift through numerous pages to find a specific topic—just a handy device with your entire library at your fingertips! For healthcare professionals, providing e-books to clients is an excellent way to deliver reliable, up-to-date information that has been thoroughly vetted and is trustworthy. It's all about ensuring that valuable knowledge is readily accessible, allowing people to learn at their own pace and to continue accessing it as a resource for their growing family. Whether you're establishing your own digital book library or contemplating how to offer better educational resources to clients, e-books unquestionably make learning more manageable and informative.

Life Events remains your trusted partner as technology advances the opportunities for learning and sharing information in new ways. Our commitment to innovation and a transformative approach to health education sets us apart. Learn more about Life Events' library of maternity print books, eBooks, and apps on our solutions page, or get in touch if you're interested in custom-branded eBook library solutions. Experience the difference with Life Events, where innovation meets education, and where the future of health information is not just digital but also incredibly accessible and enriching.

Sources

[1] Sung, Chiu-Kuei, Chien-Lin Kuo, and Jen-Tse Kuan. “The Effects of Interactive eBooks on Dyspnea Assessment and Management among Emergency Medical Technicians: A Repeated-Measures Analysis.” Healthcare 10, no. 10 (October 1, 2022): 1932. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10101932.

[2] Hanover Research. (2016, October). McGraw-Hill Education 2016 Digital Study Trends Survey. Retrieved from https://www.infodocket.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/2016-Digital-Trends-Survey-Results1.pdf.

[3] Commercial Waste. “E-Readers vs Books: Which Are Better for the Environment? ♻CW,” May 31, 2022. https://commercialwaste.trade/e-readers-vs-books-better-environment/.

[4] “Ebook.” In Wikipedia, December 28, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ebook&oldid=1192230393.

[5] Statista. “E-Book Unit Sales in the U.S. 2020.” Accessed January 1, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/426799/e-book-unit-sales-usa/.

[6] Faverio, Michelle, and Andrew Perrin. “Three-in-Ten Americans Now Read e-Books.” Pew Research Center (blog). Accessed January 1, 2024. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/01/06/three-in-ten-americans-now-read-e-books/.

[7] University of Johannesburg. “UJ the University of Johannesburg Gauteng South Africa.” Accessed January 1, 2024. https://uj.ac.za.libguides.com/UJeBooks/formats.