Forum: Bug Report and Feature Requests

FAQ or Utility request for downloading stories to IOS or Android devices

Strong_Lead 🚫
Updated:

I know the site already supports mobi & epub formats. The site even has a really cool "email to Kindle" feature that I missed. (Too bad my Kindle is MIA right now!)

The FAQ does not address how to get content onto IOS and/or Android devices. I ass-u-me we need to use a computer with iTunes or an Android equivalent, but I really don't know and need an education. :-)

An IOS FAQ is particularly challenging because Apple provides such a seamless ecosystem that users have no need to "look under the hood" to understand how their devices work because they just work. I can already see my sister's eyes glazing at instruction to [d/l & save --> import to iTunes --> IOS device], and many IOS users have a similar usage profile.

Given how ubiquitous Ios & Android devices are, it may make sense to invest some development time into implementing utilities that download directly to the portable devices (rather than computer --> device). Of course, you may already do that, and I just demonstrated the need for an FAQ that covers existing capabilities.

Replies: Al Bywater Gauthier

Al Bywater 🚫

@Strong_Lead

I have an Android Tablet I use when soaking in the bath, and it has no trouble using either the html version of the site or the epub versions of the stories. It's a 7 inch tablet and I use the same html version as I use on the PC without any troubles. I've also downloaded FBR for the device and use it to read the epubs without any issues.

Gauthier 🚫
Updated:

@Strong_Lead

In android:

Download the epub version, then click on the resulting download in the notification area, this in turn open "Play Books" (The default Google book reader) You may need to instal the application from the play store since the latest manufacturer android guideline made that application optional. "Play Books" proceed to import the epub, this can be long for big books (a few minutes).

The resulting default view show a list of cover without the title. Since there are no covers in the SOL epubs, you have to switch to the Library View to see the titles under the generic cover and be able to identify the book you just downloaded.

Replies: Vincent Berg

Vincent Berg 🚫

@Gauthier

In android:

Download the epub version, then click on the resulting download in the notification area, this in turn open "Play Books" (The default Google book reader) You may need to instal the application from the play store since the latest manufacturer android guideline made that application optional. "Play Books" proceed to import the epub, this can be long for big books (a few minutes).

That's similar to how iOS works. Just click to download the epub version of the story (you may need a paid account, I'm not sure on the epub limitations). It should pop you into iBooks (I believe it actually downloads it, and then you have to open iBooks separately).

The tricky part, is saving the document. Since you didn't purchase it from Apple, Apple won't 'restore' it for you. Instead, you have to plug your device into your home computer, start iTunes, and "Synch" the device. (Actually, before that, you have to FIND the menu bar, click on "File>Devices>Transfer Purchases" (this saves anything on the phone/tablet which isn't on the computer). That'll save your document so you can load it on other devices.

Hope that's enough to get you started (I've been doing this a long time, and often forget steps).

PeckingChicken 🚫

Easiest way to get files to ios & Android devices for kindle users is to just get the kindle app on their device.. and then send to kindle!

You can either update your kindle address to the unique address for the device (check the Manage Content and Devices page in your Amazon account) or just check the cloud for new documents since sending to any kindle address adds the file to you doc library in your Amazon cloud acct.

Replies: Vincent Berg

Vincent Berg 🚫

@PeckingChicken

Cacahill, how to you import your own stories to your Kindle account? I can add the stories to a device, but once I upgrade or replace the device, I have to reload all my own stories. Since I don't 'purchase' my own books, Kindle treats them like illegal downloads.

Replies: PeckingChicken

PeckingChicken 🚫
Updated:

@Vincent Berg

Like most docs, you can mail it to your kindle (or kindle app.. each install has a unique address that you can find in your content and devices page). Setting Document Archiving on in your account will copy files added to a single device to your document library.

You can also use the send to kindle application from your desktop. IT also copies files to your document library if that option is checked.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/sendtokindle/pc

Another way to add files is wired directly to the device. You should be able to hand copy your PC to your device's Kindledocuments directory. For me, it's the only way to get old pre .mobi .prc files to convert. For some reason the Send to Kindle address converters have stopped working.

Replies: Vincent Berg

Vincent Berg 🚫

@PeckingChicken

Thanks, Cacahill. I've long wanted to examine my Kindle publishings on a variety of documents, but was relying on their 'it'll sorta look like this' previewer. I was also frustrated how, every time I updated the app or the device, I'd have to reload each of my 10+ books to each device.

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Forum: Bug Report and Feature Requests

FAQ or Utility request for downloading stories to IOS or Android devices

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