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Add to SafariWhen comparing Waterstone's vs WHSmith, the Slant community recommends WHSmith for most people. In the question“What are the best eBook stores?” WHSmith is ranked 7th while Waterstone's is ranked 10th. The most important reason people chose WHSmith is:
Instead of developing their own eBook store, eReaders or reading apps WHSmith has the instant gratification of offering quality products with an established brand.
Question Ranking
Pros
Pro eBooks offered are Adobe Digital Editions compliant
Waterstone's eBook store sells .epubs that are encoded with Adobe Difgital Editions DRM. This allows the .epubs purchased to be used with the Adobe Digital Editions application that can then transfer purchased .epubs to ADE compliant eReaders.
Pro Generally cheaper than WHSmith
For those that are stuck using UK eBook stores it woul appear as though Waterstone's has better prices than WHSmith.
Pro Instant quality with Kobo eReaders, apps and eBooks store
Instead of developing their own eBook store, eReaders or reading apps WHSmith has the instant gratification of offering quality products with an established brand.
Pro WHSmith and Kobo partnership create competition
A good thing about the WHSmith eBook store and its Kobo partnership is that it creates competition in the UK for eBook stores and devices. WIth competition comes better prices and innovation.
Cons
Con UK only store
Waterstone's is a UK only store, so those outside the region are out of luck purchasing from them.
Con Some eBooks more expensive than paper books
Sadly Waterstone's does not have as much pull with publishers as Amazon so there are more high priced eBooks on their store.
Con Sells Kindle devices but its eBook store is .epub only (which are incompatible)
Something of an odd predicament in that Waterstone's has a contract with Amazon to sell Kindle devices even though they only sell .epub eBooks on their Waterstone's branded eBook store.
Con Some titles not available on the store
While most mainstream books can be found easily, there are a few smaller titles that are just not on the store at all.
Con Just a re-branded Kobo eBook store
WHSmith has entered a contract to where they are now partnered with Kobo. With this deal WHSmith has replaced their old eBook store with a Kobo powered alternative. Basically it is just a WHSmith skin over the Kobo eBook store.
Con UK only store
eBooks are only priced in GBP.
