Techie help please

[Ferenjinan]

Help, fellow pilgrims. I start in less than 2 weeks and things are coming together- but. I just broke down and got a 'smart phone' ( NOT an iphone) but I'm not too smart. I know folks read books on their phones, and I have a huge collection of book docs which I have been putting on a kindle (converting with calibre) to read while travelling. Works great, but not bringing kindle as the phone is lighter. But when I send the docs to the phone it won't open them, says I need a program to convert them. Any help for this old Luddite out there?

 

[Doogman]

Have you downloaded the Kindle app onto your phone? I am not very technically proficient, but when I did this, my Kindle library was immediately available on my phone through the app.

 

[SYates]

Have you downloaded the free Kindle app to your phone? Do so, sign in and all your books/docs in your Kindle account should automatically sync.

Buen Camino, SY

PS @Doogman - You were faster ;-)

 

[amancio]

I would bring my Kindle

 

[Ferenjinan]

Have you downloaded the Kindle app onto your phone? I am not very technically proficient, but when I did this, my Kindle library was immediately available on my phone through the app.

I have the kindle app but it only brings in books from amazon/kindle. All the documents/files of books given me by a friend, which I can convert via calibre and then send to the kindle, don't seem to be in the right format for the phone. I think they are in MOBI because that's what the kindle wants. But the phone doesn't seem to. I need at least a book or two to read evenings on the trail...

 

[Iriebabel]

I have the kindle app but it only brings in books from amazon/kindle. All the documents/files of books given me by a friend, which I can convert via calibre and then send to the kindle, don't seem to be in the right format for the phone. I think they are in MOBI because that's what the kindle wants. But the phone doesn't seem to. I need at least a book or two to read evenings on the trail...

It is not the phone. Maybe on a regular kindle it would work but may not work in kindle’s mobile app.The newer smart phones work on app so you may need to find another app which can read those types of files in addition to the kindle app. Not to get technical but the file extension determines which app/software can read it a particular file. Try to google it....i found this https://m.wikihow.com/Get-Calibre-for-Android

 

[Ferenjinan]

It is not the phone. Maybe on a regular kindle it would work but may not work in kindle’s mobile app.The newer smart phones work on app so you may need to find another app which can read those types of files in addition to the kindle app. Not to get technical but the file extension determines which app/software can read it a particular file

How do I find out which app/software I need?

 

[Iriebabel]

How do I find out which app/software I need?

I did a quick search for you and added it to my last message. Search in google play store for compatible apps. also consider using audible by amazon. they also have a free app you will get 1 free credit per month good for a free book with your paid subscription. I used audible app on my camino...no problems (No commercial interest in my recommendation)

 

[Ferenjinan]

I did a quick search for you and added it to my last message. Search in google play store for compatible apps. also consider using audible by amazon. they also have a free app you will get 1 free credit per month good for a free book with your paid subscription. I used audible app on my camino...no problems (No commercial interest in my recommendation)

you are wonderful. I'm still trying...

 

[Iriebabel]

you are wonderful. I'm still trying...

Buen Camino! You will be fine....I have faith in you .. Feel free to ask if you need further assistance. Here is a link to google play store . Open this on your phone and download it ...hope it works fingers crossed
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.multipie.calibreandroid&hl=en_US

 

[wayfarer]

Download an app called "eBook reader" and make sure you get the version that handles mobi.

 

[Purky]

As far as I know Calibre is able to convert to PDF as well. Your smartphone should be able to handle PDF's...

 

[martin1ws]

There are solutions in this thread for your problem (reading mobi files additionally to your kindle ebooks on your phone).
But... I am not sure if you really need it on your camino. I have read only a few pages of 'The Great Westward Walk'.... and I really like the book and I am on day 35 of my camino.

 

[Iriebabel]

I listened to an audio book every night before going to sleep...believe it or not it helped to calm my mind. Knocked me out so fast I was backtracking every night. Lol

 

[Ferenjinan]

So far (thank you very much everybody!) I've been unable to get it done. But I did have a couple of official Amazon books which are on the phone and I downloaded a couple from Gutenberg, so it should be all right. And yes, Martin, reading won't bee too high on my priorities- but firstly, I am a bookworm! and also very shy and introverted so evening socialising isn't too much my thing. I do speak French but not terrifically, so a retreat into a few pages might be nice.

Thanks you all, bon chemin and take a look at this wall hanging I saw whilst walking to (Otepää ) a holy lake in Estonia. Books!

 

[VNwalking]

I just wrote of my frustration with tech maps on another thread -tech adds a level of complication to everything before it works.
But to be fair, I haven't had a problem with the Kindle app - files that I get from Amazon on my laptop sync automatically. And shareware pdf files work fine on my phone, too - with the Acrobat app. So if you have that, pdf files are totally accessible.

 

[Iriebabel]

So far (thank you very much everybody!) I've been unable to get it done. But I did have a couple of official Amazon books which are on the phone and I downloaded a couple from Gutenberg, so it should be all right. And yes, Martin, reading won't bee too high on my priorities- but firstly, I am a bookworm! and also very shy and introverted so evening socialising isn't too much my thing. I do speak French but not terrifically, so a retreat into a few pages might be nice.

Thanks you all, bon chemin and take a look at this wall hanging I saw whilst walking to (Otepää ) a holy lake in Estonia. Books!View attachment 45495

Do you have a techie teenager in your life or close by? They are extremely resourceful. Maybe someone can take a look for you.
Even the shyest people on the camino break out of their shell a little..its the spirit of the camino you can’t help but be seduced a little by the commaraderie.

 

[La Barre]

Try Kindle Importer from Google Playstore, does Mobi maybe others.