eBooks @ MSU

Amazon e-books use the AZW file format and Amazon's DRM. You must use a Kindle device to read it.

Amazon offers Kindle apps for most tablets and smartphones and a Cloud Reader to read e-books from your PC or Mac.

DRM is the method e-book providers use to prevent copying, sharing, or to limit the amount of time you can download a book. It is different from the file format and set by the site where you download the e-book.

Different e-book providers use different DRM schemes which can limit which device you can use.

Common DRM schemes:

• Adobe Digital Editions (encoded PDF)
• Amazon (Kindle or Kindle apps)
• Apple iBooks (iOS only)
• Barnes & Noble (Nook)

ePub is a free and open e-book standard format. It is compatible with most eReaders and tablets with the exception of the Amazon Kindle.

Compatible devices:

• Apple devices (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch)
• Android devices
• Kindle Fire
• Nook
• Sony Reader
• Kobo

PDF files can be read on most any device. However, many e-book providers add Adobe e-book DRM restrictions to the PDF files which require you to download Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) or an ADE compatible app like BlueFire Reader.

Compatible devices:

• Apple Devices (ADE)
• Android Tablets (ADE)
• Amazon Kindle
• Nook (ADE)