The modern tablet and 2-in-1 is primarily made for content consumption. Watching movies, listening to music and reading books should be things that every device with Microsoft’s new Windows 10 operating system can do. Unfortunately, this is only the case with the first two activities; Windows 10 devices aren’t very good at doubling up as eBook readers.
To be a good eBook reader, a device needs a direct link to an eBook store and an official app that leverages its strengths. The new Windows Store offers games, movies, television shows, and apps, but eBooks don’t sell at all. Because it doesn’t sell eBooks directly, Microsoft didn’t see fit to create a reading app that comes preinstalled with Windows 10.
Fortunately, there are other options for reading eBooks on devices with Microsoft’s Windows 10 operating system.
Before You Begin
Since there is no Microsoft made way to read eBooks on a Windows 10 device, you will have to adopt a service made by another company. This means you need to create an account with that service and download an app for that service. Choose which service you will use with great care, you want a service to be available on all your trusted devices, even on your phone if your Windows 10 tablet or 2-in-1 breaks for any reason. For iPhone users, this is not a problem. Android and Windows Phone users may encounter differences in available apps.
How to Read eBooks on Windows 10 – Apps and Services
Kindle is Amazon’s eBook service and is the highlight of the eBook world as a whole. Lots of companies sell eBooks, but it’s the Kindle that popularizes them and keeps trying new things. Kindle offers listening to apps, background syncing, and access to the new Kindle Unlimited subscription service.
The Kindle application currently available to Windows 10 users is barebones. The company has barely updated this thing since Windows first arrived, not expected in the near future. Fortunately, it supports the basic things you need to read eBooks on Windows 10. There’s a built-in Kindle Store, sync, bookmark, and notes. You can take advantage of Kindle Unlimited via the Amazon website, it seems.
Kindle apps are available on iPhone and Android. Besides the Windows Store version, there is a Kindle program to install on the Windows desktop. These apps are even less likely to receive feature improvements and updates from the Windows Store version. Windows 10 users voicemail via a separate and much more modern app
Nook is the other major eBook provider on Windows 10. Its implementation lags behind newer Windows 10 designs, but it works just fine. Sign up for a Nook account and you can purchase new eBooks directly on your device or on the Nook website. Additionally, the Nook has magazines and periodicals that the Kindle doesn’t offer on Windows. Finally, the Nook can read PDFs and ePub files from other sources, making it a great companion for repositories that offer print books with expired copyrights.
Nook has an iPhone and Android app, but no Windows Phone app.
Overdrive differs from other services in that it doesn’t ask you to buy books from it. Instead, it’s specially made so you can borrow books from local libraries. Overdrive offers audiobook rentals as well as books.
Overdrive has apps on every major mobile platform.
Finally, there’s Kobo, a dedicated eBook service that isn’t as well known as other services, but just as important. The book is quite simple in that it offers a simple approach to reading. Kobo has an online store full of millions of books.
Kobo has apps on many major mobile platforms.
Tips
You can’t go wrong with any of these services, just know that once you decide, it’s best to stick with it for the duration. Like movies and television shows, different eBook services won’t work with books on other platforms. For example, you can’t buy an eBook from Amazon and read it in a Kobo app. The same goes for any periodicals you subscribe to indefinitely.
You have the chance to read comfortably in portrait mode with your 2-in-1 or tablet. In this case, rotate your device, then swipe from the right edge of your screen and look under the Action Center. There are toggles to change the screen brightness and lock your screen orientation so your device doesn’t keep changing rotation while you’re trying to read in bed. Turning down the screen brightness will help your Windows 10 tablet or 2-in-1 battery last longer. Swipe down from the top edge of your screen to reveal the full-screen button and get rid of the Taskbar that’s usually on the screen in every app.
