eBooks Help
There are 4 steps to buying eBooks:
- Install the software you need
- Buy and download an eBook from Blackwell Online
- Put your eBook into your eBook Library
- Transfer your eBook to your eReader
Step 1: Install the software you need
Preparing your computer to store eBooks
To read one of our thousands of eBooks on your eReader, you first need to install some software to your computer.
eBook Library (only applicable for the Sony Reader)
Adobe Digital Editions (free to download from the internet)
Installing eBook Library
Use the CD-ROM that came with your Sony Reader to install eBook Library onto your computer.
Simply follow the installation instructions and your eBook Library should now be on your desktop in: Start/ All Programs/ Reader/ eBook Library
Installing Adobe Digital Editions
Without the installation of this software you will not be able to download any eBooks to your computer.
- Install Adobe Digital Editions. You will be taken to a page on the Adobe website
- Activate Digital Editions when prompted - you'll need to be online
- You'll need your Adobe ID for this step. Register with Adobe if you haven't already
- Authorise your computer to protect your digital content. You can authorise up to 6 computers with the same Adobe ID
- Accept the user agreement
Your eBooks are assigned to your Adobe ID, not your computer so by activating:
you can transfer eBooks onto up to 6 (authorised) machines
your eBooks are protected if your computer should break For more information, visit Digital Editions help
Step 2: Buy and download an eBook from Blackwell Online
- Browse eBooks or locate using the search
- Buy online and we'll send you an order confirmation email following by a separate email containing a link to download your eBook.
- Click the Download link in the email.
- Your eBook will be saved on your computer in: My documents/ My Digital Editions
- If you're asked to open or save the eBook, choose open. If you chose save, click the icon 'ebx' to open your eBook.
- You have 3 attempts to download your eBook ? if you need any more attempts or further help, please email us with details of the problem.
Step 3: Put your eBook into your eBook library
- Open your eBook Library (in Start/ All Programs/ Reader/ eBook Library)
- Select File/ Import Files.
- Go to My Documents/ My Digital Editions.
- Double click to see all your eBooks and double click on the eBook you want.
- Your eBook should now be in your eBook Library. Check by going to your eBook Library and clicking Status.
Step 4: Transfer your eBook to your eReader
- Connect your eReader to your computer with the USB cable.
- Check the eReader symbol is showing in the list on the left-hand side of your eBook Library.
- If it's not, check the USB cable is connected properly and the Reader is turned on.
- Left click the title of the eBook you want to transfer and drag it into your eBook Library and drop it onto the eReader symbol.
- Your eReader will see that an eBook has been added to the library and automatically transfer it.
eReader FAQs
General FAQs
How many eBooks can my Reader store?
Your reader has a 1.4GB memory and can store approximately 1200 eBooks. However, with a 16GB SD memory card you can store up to 13,000 books.
How much does my Reader weigh?
Your Sony Reader weighs approximately 168g, which is less than the average paperback. Digital book readers have been specially designed for reading so that they fit perfectly into your bag or pocket and can be held comfortably for hours of reading.
Can my Reader be used in any lighting conditions?
Yes, although you'll need a light for night-time. This Reader uses an innovative E Ink Vizplex technology which means the screen looks just like paper. It has a high contrast, high resolution and a wide viewing angle for a real reading experience. There's no backlight and no flickering so you even read in bright sunlight. Buy a cover with light for your Reader and you'll be able to read in the dark.
How long does the battery last?
The battery typically lasts for 100 reading hours, although battery power will be consumed faster if you are listening to music or audio.
How do I charge my Reader?
If you do run out of battery you can use the USB charger which is included with your Reader. It will have it up and running again in around four hours. The charge port is also compatible with a Blackberry mobile phone.
How do I put eBooks onto my Reader?
A Reader comes with a select number of pre-loaded eBooks and excerpts from books but getting started with new titles is simple. Download books direct to your PC or Mac from our website, libraries or legal free book providers, using Adobe Digital Editions. You can then transfer the eBooks in seconds to your Reader using a USB connection.
What else can I do with my Reader?
Your Reader has been specially designed for reading eBooks on the paper-like E Ink screen. But you can also:
- Read documents, like Adobe PDF, Microsoft Word, RTF and Text files.
- Carry and view photos and diagrams (black and white only) in JPEG, PNG, GIF and BMP formats.
- Listen to MP3 or AAC songs or audiobooks on your headphones. You can even listen as you read.
What software do I need to use my Reader?
There is no specific software you need to use, as the Reader has its own. You will need to download Adobe Digital Editions, however, which you can do here
Do I need to download ADE to the Reader as well as my PC?
No. As the Reader has its own software, it will sync to Adobe Digital Editions though a USB connection.
Can I use a Reader with a Mac?
Yes, this Reader is fully compatible with a Mac. However, please be aware that you cannot currently download Adobe Digital Editions to your Mac.
How do I download eBooks onto my Reader?
For full instructions on how to download books onto your reader, please see our eBooks Help
I can't access the Sony Reader Store.
Currently, the Sony Reader Store is only available to devices registered as either the US or Canada. You can change your region by clicking Settings >> General Settings >> Country/Region. You will then be able to access and register with the Reader Store.
Please be aware, however, that eBook prices will be in dollars, and you will need a US or Canadian address.
Sony hopes to be able to offer full functionality to the rest of the world shortly.
Technical FAQs
Where are the instructions?
The user guide for this device is located within the pre-loaded eBooks. To access:
From the main screen, click Books >> User Guide
How do I change the font size?
The Reader comes with a choice of 8 font sizes and 7 font types. You can change this by doing the following:
Press the Menu button on the far right (4 horizontal lines) >> Font >> Select font size (the page will change to the selected font size).
You can change the Font Type by clicking the down arrow on the menu.
How do I bookmark a page?
You can bookmark a page by holding down the top right-hand corner of the screen, at which point you can select whether you want to make a note using the keyboard or your own handwriting.
To find your notes, press the Menu button and click Notes.
Can I annotate the page?
Yes. From the page, press the menu button and click Handwriting. Now you can underline words and make your own handwritten notes.
Will the Reader keep my place if I navigate away from the book I'm reading?
Yes. The Reader will display your current book at the top of the home page, and when you go back into it you can continue reading from where you left off.
Is there a 'sleep mode', or do I have to turn off the power completely when I'm not using the Reader?
There is a sleep mode with this device. Simply press the power button once, and a screensaver will appear of the cover of the book you are currently reading.
This screensaver will appear if the device is left idle for a while. When in 'sleep' mode, a message will appear at the top of screen which tells you how to resume reading.
eBooks Terms and Conditions
eBook titles purchased cannot be returned, printed, refunded, or exchanged. If you experience technical difficulty in downloading or accessing a title, please contact our Customer Service team for assistance.
eBooks for certain publishers operating under the Agency model are not available for sale outside the UK, EEA and Switzerland. In addition, customers are not eligible to earn or redeem Reward points on eBooks published by these publishers.
eBook FAQs
How do I receive the book from you - do you send me a link?
When a book is ordered online, once it is paid for and authorised, a link is sent by email by which the book can be downloaded.
Can I return an eBook?
eBooks cannot be returned once they have been downloaded by a customer onto their PC or eReader.
Can I get a refund for an eBook purchased in error?
All eBooks are firm sale, and as such non-refundable. Our eBook supplier advises that once an eBook link is generated they are charged by the publisher for the eBook regardless of whether it is ever downloaded or not, therefore I am sorry to advise we cannot provide a refund for eBooks purchased.
Can I copy or forward an eBook to another computer?
You can transfer eBooks onto up to 6 (authorised) machines . Your eBooks are protected if your computer should break For more information, visit Digital Editions help
Can I print off copies from an eBook download?
Due to DRM (Digital rights management ) the option to print is limited and the owner of the eBook may be able to print several pages but will be unable to print a full hard copy of an eBook you have purchased online. eBooks are generally designed to be read on your PC or eReader only - the download limits and the restrictions applied within each books' DRM are set by the publisher concerned.
Although up to 6 PCs can have the same eBook downloaded, printing rights can vary so that not all of them can print. The printable quantity is controlled by ADE.
What is DRM?
DRM stands for "Digital Rights Management". They the controls/limitations/restrictions that a publisher has placed against a particular title. In theory these controls could be used to limit the number of times an eBook can be read, how many pages can be printed, and what devices and/or software systems are able to read it etc etc.. In reality, most publishers have chosen a fairly loose set of controls that amongst other things restrict the number of times that the eBook can be downloaded and a limitation on how much of the book can be printed off.
The download limits, and for that matter the restrictions applied within each books' DRM is set by the publisher concerned.
What is an ACSM File?
This is the shortcut link to the download. It is created when the user has not downloaded and installed Adobe Digital Editions. When he/she has downloaded and installed ADE, it will automatically then pick up the pdf file to which he refers and place them in his "library".
Can eBooks in PDF format be read by a normal PDF reader?
The eBooks supplied in pdf cannot be read by a normal pdf viewer. They are DRM'd and require Adobe Digital Editions or a compatible mobile device (or it's accompanying library software) to view them.
Compatibility
Our ePub eBooks are compatible with Sony Ereader, Samsung E60 but not the Kindle. Due to an issue with Adobe Digital Editions software and Apple Mac's Lion OS, it is not currently possible to download these to Apple Macs.
Can I download an eBook to my iPad or iPhone?
Due to the Adobe DRM you will not be able to put this file directly on your iPad/iPhone.
The eBook is not a standard PDF - it is DRM wrapped, and as such can only work with ereader software capable of reading DRM'd eBooks. Most iPlayers use an app called "Stanza", which is the market leading eBook reading software for the iPod and iPhone. This software uses a proprietary DRM control, which is unique to Stanza, and the Stanza eBook shop although it does handle non-DRM wrapped eBooks
There is however a 3rd party software (iPhone App) that allows the user to do this but we can neither advise nor recommend it - you will need to download the App at your own risk as it is not supported by Blackwell's.
Can I download an eBook to my Kindle?
Due to the Adobe DRM you will not be able to put this file on your Kindle.
What happens if I am unable to download my eBook?
Please ensure you have the current version of Adobe Digital Editions installed.
Please email customer services with the order details and any error messages generated, also at what stage of the download the message is appearing.
Your query will then be passed on to our technical team and a response advised in due course.
What happens if my firewall is preventing the download from taking place?
It may be that your machine is preventing the download from completing - sometimes this is caused by the firewall on your computer. If the computer belongs to a school/college or a business, would you please ask your IT to create an exception within the firewall for port 8080 and then attempt to download.
How do I log a support case with Adobe?
If you need further assistance from Adobe Digital Editions, you will need to contact Adobe direct and log a support case.
To do this you will need to visit and www.adobe.com/support/digitaleditions/ and click 'Submit a web case'.
