If I buy a Kindle or Nook, does that mean I can only go to B&N or Amazon for e-books?

Question

If I buy a Kindle, Nook, or Kobo from Amazon, B&N, or Borders, respectively, does that mean that I have to buy all my e-books from that store? For example, if I get a Kindle, am I limited to only Amazon?  Are there any e-readers where I could buy books from anywhere that I want?

Do you have an e-reader?  Which one do you have, what do you like about it, and what do you wish were different?

Thanks in advance!

Uncle Pennybags · Accepted Answer

Kindle is the more restrictive device.  While possible to get books elsewhere, realistically, you have to get them from Amazon, because it uses a proprietary file format.

The others use an open file format called ePub, and any book bought in that format can be used in any of those devices.  Borders, B&N and other online eBook sellers use this format.

I have a Kindle.  I went with it because I think it is a superior device, and I usually buy books off of Amazon anyway.

Anonymous · Answer

I hae had three|3|2|two|many} different kindles.  {Love them all|I just love them|Would not buy anything else}

Skylar · Answer

I'm typing this from my Nook right now that I just got today, and I love it!  You can get books from Google books,Barnes and Noble, or other places. The Nook is a great device.

Anonymous · Answer

In short, I won't choose iPad or Nook Color, because they're using backlight screen like computer screen, and is difficult to our eyes. Just not suitable for reading purpose. For other ebook readers including the B&N Nook, Sony Reader, and Amazon Kindle, I'll go for the Kindle. For the Sony Reader, many books (especially new releases) cannot be easily find on it. For the Nook, it is good but it is slower and less user friendly compared to the new version of Kindle.

There is also quite a good comparison between the ebook readers here:

http://bit.ly/whichebookreader

Anonymous · Answer

Kindle 3G Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 3G Works Globally, Graphite, 6" Display with New E Ink Pearl Technology
More Text per Page. The top bar is gone, the location bar is moved to the very bottom of the page, and the gap between the last line of text and the location bar has been reduced. This combines to make a significant difference – At size 4 (or perhaps it was 3) the Kindle 3 fits in 4 more lines per page (19 compared to 15).
WiFi support – WiFi support is important as now you can connect to WhisperNet anywhere there is either AT&T coverage or a WiFi hotspot. WiFi is much faster than 3G so you can browse faster, shop faster, and you get more time for reading.
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If I buy a Kindle or Nook, does that mean I can only go to B&N or Amazon for e-books?

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