Downloading an epub

Question

Downloading an epub

This is the story of my tribulations in attempting to open an epub file:

1 - E-mail epub to myself (on PC or iPod, or whatever)

2 - use GMail app to "open" epub (brought to a white screen)

3 - "open in Safari" option (filetype unsupported)

4 - open mail with iPod mail option

5 - acceidentally archive mail in an attempt to open the attachment

6* - (various steps to unarchive mail)

7 - open file attachment (filetype not supported)

8 - download 3rd part epub reader (Nook)

9 - 3rd party app does not support download of mail attachments

10 - remove 3rd party app

11 - install iPod-default option (iBooks)

12 - go to Gmail app, open attachment (iBook option not present)

13 - go to Mail app, open attachment "open in iBooks" (nothing happens)

14* - wait, is it downloading? ***? Nope, it is a failure

15* - research issue on internet

16 - download another 3rd party app (BlueFire)

17 - open in Mail app, Open with anything not ibooks, open with BlueFire

18* - wait... failure

19 - open BlueFire, bypass some nonsense about linking accounts or whatever

20 - open mail in GMail app

21 - open attachment

22 - open in Safari

23 - file unsupported by Safari -> Open in another application

24 - Open in non-iBooks application (BlueFire)

25 - BlueFire opens the file into the BlueFire library or whatever

26 - Open file in BlueFire (woo!)

27 - remove iBooks

Seriously, it took me over 20 minutes to open an ePub file that I E-mailed to myself. I am a Research Scientist who used to program computers for a living, working on my PhD. This should not be that hard. The opening of an ePub required the use of SEVEN applications (Store, Gmail, Mail, Safari, iBooks, Nook, BlueFire). Nook and iBooks are both abortions that I couldn't get to work. Mail does some sort of ePub-mangling so that nothing can be opened. As such, if I were to do this process again, it would look like the following:

1 - Use Store to download BlueFire

2 - open mail in GMail (not Mail)

3 - open attachment

4 - open attachment in Safari

5 - open Safari item in BlueFire

The solution that works still uses FOUR apps (Store, GMail, Safari, BlueFire), and four steps (assuming you have the relevant apps). This requires that the user steer carefully away from Apple-provided solutions (iBooks, Mail), as they don't seem to work at all.

Dear Apple: please make the opening of a book-type file simpler.

iPod touch

Posted on Sep 1, 2012 2:42 PM

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Answer 1

BobHarris

Level 9

56,759 points

Sep 2, 2012 8:09 AM in response to Keith.W.Brawner

Install Calibre on your PC. Is the epub even readable via calibre on your PC. Or perhaps it is encrypted.

If encrypted, then you need to use the app suggested by the publisher of the ebook.

You can transfer epub books to iBooks via iTunes on your PC (there is a 'Books' tab in iTunes on the Summary screen when your iPod Touch is connected to your PC. Then sync your iPod Touch with iTunes on your PC and the ebook will be included in the iBook app.

Many ebook readers can use iTunes to sync books from your PC to your iPod Touch. iTunes -> Your iPod Touch -> Apps -> Scroll to bottom of screen -> File Sharing -> Find your ebook reader in the list of File Sharing Apps (if the ebook reader supports this feature) -> Select your app -> Drag your epub to the Documents section on the right.

Calibre has a way of sync'ing with some ebook readers.

You could also try using Dropbox.com to transfer files to your iPod Touch. Get a free copy for your PC and a free copy for your iPod Touch.

As for Apple making it easier, they did what they did for music. They created their own store, and you can buy ebooks from the store, then directly download the ebook to your iPod Touch. Or you can use iTunes to import ebooks to your iPod Touch, assuming the ebook is in a format that can be read by an app on the iPod Touch, and assuming it is not encrypted with an encryption that does not have a compatible reader.

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Answer 2

Sep 2, 2012 8:23 AM in response to BobHarris

Note that the story starts with me having the raw epub file on a library computer (readable, e-mailed to self), sitting in a library, and wanting to transfer it to the iPod.

Part of the limitation here is as follows:

- I cannot install iTunes on this PC (for various reasons), and I am on travel, and away from an iTunes-capable computer.

- I am without iPod data transfer cable (not that it matters, with the above limitation).

As such, the Calibre solution is out (I use this frequently for an eBook reader). I read about the dropbox solution during my internet research, and perhaps I should have run that one down witht he DropBox web-interface (rather than the BlueFire fix). The eBook is not for sale in iTunes, and available freely in the library, so that is a on-starter.

(I did submit this to Apple, as a previous posted suggested).

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Answer 3

Sep 2, 2012 6:10 PM in response to Keith.W.Brawner

There are many roads to roam ... but (without using iTunes) the simplest way to transfer and then read your ePub ebook is:

1. Get the free "iBooks" app onto your iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch

2. Email the ePub file to yourself as an attached file. Email it to the same email address that is connected with your Apple account.

3. Open the email. You will need to wait a little until the ePub "loads" as an attachment. After the attached epub has loaded:

4. Press your finger on the attachment icon and hold it. A small window will pop up with one or more "Open In" options. iBooks will be one of these options. Press "Open in iBooks."

5. Your ePub ebook will open in the iBooks reading app.

That method was for moving the ebook from your computer to your device without using iTunes.
If the EPUB is on the web (for example, a free EPUB ebook from Project Gutenberg) it is simpler to download the EPUB directly from the Web to your device, using one of the inexpensive download apps.

Happy reading,

Michael Pastore, author
50 Benefits of Ebooks

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Answer 4

Jan 3, 2013 5:21 PM in response to Keith.W.Brawner

Get the dropbox app for your PC and ipad. Put your epub files in dropbox on your computer. Wait for them to be synced to your ipad. Hilight them one at a time in your dropbox app on your ipad (your ipad will try to open them). When it is done (and fails) you can now click the little icon that looks like an arrow going into a box (should be on the far right). It will allow you to "open in ibooks". iBooks opens your book! It is very time consuming to do this one at a time and uses space in your dropbox.

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Answer 5

lllaass

Level 10

210,513 points

Sep 1, 2012 2:52 PM in response to Keith.W.Brawner

Apple does not monitor these forums for suggestions. Go here and make your suggestion to Apple.

Apple - iPod touch – Feedback

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