When comparing Books on Google Play vs iBooks Store, the Slant community recommends Books on Google Play for most people. In the question“What are the best eBook stores?” Books on Google Play is ranked 4th while iBooks Store is ranked 5th. The most important reason people chose Books on Google Play is:
All eBooks for sale on Books on Google Play are Adobe Digital editions compatible. Google provides an option to download an .acsm file for all eBook purchased on their site. This .acsm file can then be imported into Adobe Digital editions where it can be read as an .epub inside of the application or transferred to any Adobe Digital Editions compliant .epub eReader, such as a Kobo.
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Pros
Pro Adobe Digital Editions compatible
All eBooks for sale on Books on Google Play are Adobe Digital editions compatible. Google provides an option to download an .acsm file for all eBook purchased on their site. This .acsm file can then be imported into Adobe Digital editions where it can be read as an .epub inside of the application or transferred to any Adobe Digital Editions compliant .epub eReader, such as a Kobo.
Pro Users can upload their own DRM free .epubs or PDFs
Goolge has built in a function to allow users to upload their own eBooks. Up to 1,000 files can be stored using this function as long as each title is below 50MB.
Pro Accessible
It is the most accessible platform for an Android phone user. Convenient.
Pro Self publishing
Users can self publish their own eBook via the iBooks store.
Pro Send eBook as gift
iBooks recently updated their store to where users can send eBooks as gifts to their friends and family.
Pro Sells textbooks
iBooks has textbooks for sale with a store wide rule of offering them at lower prices then what is seen on college campuses.
Cons
Con Does not actually follow .css and HTML guidelines when displaying user uploaded .epubs
Upon close inspection Books on Google Play does not actually follow the normal standards when displaying user uploaded .epubs but rather has it's own secret method of how it handles the internal .css and HTML. This can result in display problems for user uploaded content.
Con iBooks uses its own DRM scheme called Fair Play on .epubs sold in the store
iBooks does use .epubs for its eBooks but sadly they are encrypted with their own proprietary DRM called Fair Play. This means any .epub that has Apples DRM purchased from iBooks will not be able to be used in other .epub eBook readers.
Con Forced to use iTunes or an Apple product
There is no webpage for the iBooks Store which means there is no way to browse Apples eBook selection without using one of their device or installing iTunes.