Forum Discussion
Use Calibre E-book manager (free) to read your EPUB files
Saw some people wanted to read EPUB files but it is discontinued in Edge classic, and it was a good decision since Edge is a browser, not a E-book reader. it also lacks so many essential features for...
Yes I'm aware of Calibre, been using it forever, way before mobile computing became ubiquitous. There's a reason (or many reasons actually) we want the Edge classic EPUB reader back.
It is true Edge classic is a browser, not an ebook reader, but if you've used any number of ebook readers on Windows, you will agree that the Edge epub reader is miles beyond any other application out there (note: for actually 'reading' ebooks, not 'managing' a digital library). Nothing else comes close, and I will say I have tried them all (both win32 'programs' like Calibre or kindle as well as UWP store apps - Freda, FictionBookReader, LightReader. etc. - too many to list or remember right now).
On the interface and functionality of the classic Edge reader - great font rendering, fast, super smooth, real-time built in dictionary and pronunciation on word selection, just overall an elegant app; it's the sum of the nice little parts that make it superior to any other ebook reader on Windows.
I would really appreciate it if the classic Edge team decides to release a standalone epub reader based on it. Just pull it out of the browser and publish it as its own app. Really hoping for this!
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Ibukun Momson wrote:Yes I'm aware of Calibre, been using it forever, way before mobile computing became ubiquitous. There's a reason (or many reasons actually) we want the Edge classic EPUB reader back.
It is true Edge classic is a browser, not an ebook reader, but if you've used any number of ebook readers on Windows, you will agree that the Edge epub reader is miles beyond any other application out there (note: for actually 'reading' ebooks, not 'managing' a digital library). Nothing else comes close, and I will say I have tried them all (both win32 'programs' like Calibre or kindle as well as UWP store apps - Freda, FictionBookReader, LightReader. etc. - too many to list or remember right now).
On the interface and functionality of the classic Edge reader - great font rendering, fast, super smooth, real-time built in dictionary and pronunciation on word selection, just overall an elegant app; it's the sum of the nice little parts that make it superior to any other ebook reader on Windows.
I would really appreciate it if the classic Edge team decides to release a standalone epub reader based on it. Just pull it out of the browser and publish it as its own app. Really hoping for this!
I've used E-books in Epub in Edge classic, also used it in Calibre, the same features exist in Calibre.
the features you listed are these, exact quote: " great font rendering (check), fast, super smooth (check), real-time built in dictionary (check) and pronunciation on word selection (check)"
Calibre got them all.
if you used Calibre since 'forever' then you should know that it also supports plugins that add lots of other features that are not built in by default in it.
Again, it is not just about raw 'functionality', it is the elegance, simplicity, fluidity of the interface. Not to drag this into another space entirely, but as an analogy, why do you think the iPhone which launched in 2007 was so successful and practically overthrew heavyweights like Nokia, Ericsson, Motorola which were well 'established' in the mobile game long before Apple showed up in phones? I can assure you it was not functionality, because there was absolutely nothing 'new' functions-wise that the original iPhone brought to the table - music, internet, apps were so mature already in Symbian on Nokia, and Ericsson's platforms as well. It was the totality of the package that set the iPhone apart, the 'experience' so to speak.
Calibre is simply too involved and 'bloated' as an ebook reader. I just want to launch an ebook and get into it, just like an actual paper book experience, not fiddle with countless options, configurations, plugins etc. This was what Edge offered. I want the functionality back, or as a simple standalone app.
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Ibukun Momson wrote:Again, it is not just about raw 'functionality', it is the elegance, simplicity, fluidity of the interface. Not to drag this into another space entirely, but as an analogy, why do you think the iPhone which launched in 2007 was so successful and practically overthrew heavyweights like Nokia, Ericsson, Motorola which were well 'established' in the mobile game long before Apple showed up in phones? I can assure you it was not functionality, because there was absolutely nothing 'new' functions-wise that the original iPhone brought to the table - music, internet, apps were so mature already in Symbian on Nokia, and Ericsson's platforms as well. It was the totality of the package that set the iPhone apart, the 'experience' so to speak.
Calibre is simply too involved and 'bloated' as an ebook reader. I just want to launch an ebook and get into it, just like an actual paper book experience, not fiddle with countless options, configurations, plugins etc. This was what Edge offered. I want the functionality back, or as a simple standalone app.
When Iphone was launched it didn't need a stylus to interact with, it could be controlled using something that everyone has, fingers. things like that, and the Apple's brand name etc made Iphones popular.
If you want Microsoft to make a Win32 standalone Epub reader that is elegant and has a few features but not too much to be bloated, then I'm not sure how Edge browser developers can help with that.
because it wouldn't be related to any browsers.
maybe a side project to work on in free times?
