How To Open Different eBook Formats
I assumed that you have a symbian phone and FExplorer installed. I always count on FExplorer when it comes to eBook manipulation. For the record, FExplorer v1.17 is a free third party file manager.
I always do this, checking the eBook file and to which application it suits best. It is as simple as assigning an application to a certain eBook format or file extension. The process is almost the same with the “right click” – “open with” on computer. What makes it different on FExplorer is that you are assigning a certain file extension the application it should open permanently not unless you change it or you’ve reformated your symbian phone.
How to do it? (take a look at the screenhots)
- open FExplorer
- go to the file, example “Inday.prc”
- click Option > File > Open with
- choose the application you want for that format
- click Option > Save
Check it if you followed it right, on the FExplorer, go to the file that you’ve previously assigned then click. If the assigned application opens with that file, you’re doing great. You can do this to other eBook formats or other file extension name, just make sure to close opened application when not needed otherwise you will encounter memory full (depends on symbian phone you’re using).
MobiReader, A Free Powerful eBook Reader
Mobipocket Reader for Symbian smartphone is another powerful eBook reader, the best thing of being powerful is its free. LOL! Who doesn’t want a free mobile application nowadays?
Why is it powerful? Take a look at the left part of my screenshots, it is the default introduction of MobiReader. It’s in prc format but it looked like a html format, it seems that you’re browsing from a third party browser of your symbian phone because of the link function. The introduction is way ahead better from other eBook reader introduction, you can’t believe that the application is free. Would you believe that you can open your eBook 1.03, prc format with MobiReader. I’ve tried that, take a look at the right side of the screenshot, it did worked. The trick here is if you have eBook 1.03 files, just transfer them to e:\eBooks — this is the default location of MobiReader and presto! You can read them with MobiReader, it is in the library already.
I’ve tried opening a txt format file with MobiReader, it worked as well. But even if you moved the txt file to designated folder, you cannot see it at the library. Just open the txt file via FExplorer.
I’ve mention from my earlier entries that eBook reader compatibility is one of my criteria on choosing a new symbian phone. No problem about the requirement anymore, MobiReader will surely handle my old collection of prc format eBooks.
Symbian60.1 – Nokia 3600, Nokia 3620, Nokia 3650, Nokia 3660, Nokia 6600, Nokia 7650, Nokia N-Gage, Nokia N-Gage QD, Siemens SX1, Sendo X.
Symbian60.2 – Nokia 3230, Nokia 6260, Nokia 6620, Nokia 6630, Nokia 6670, Nokia 6680, Nokia 6681, Nokia 6682, Nokia 7610, Nokia N70, Nokia N72, Nokia N90, Panasonic X700, Panasonic X800, Samsung SGH-Z600, Samsung SGH-Z720, Samsung SGH-Z730
Series60.3 – Nokia 3250, 5500, E50, E60, E61, E62, E70, N71, N72, N73, N75, N80, N91, N92, N93, N93i, N95
To download other mobipocket version for other symbian phones, click here. I’ll just stick to this great aspects of MobiReader for now, I’ll explore the other great things soon.
Look Ma, I have eBook on my phone!
eBook 1.03 is the first mobile ebooks application I’ve tried and tested. It is first supported by symbianware. It comes with a free eBook maker application. eBook allows reading books in eBook Aportis (.prc) or Palm Database (.pdb) format. You can change the font, font size, font color, background color, etc. You can also change the view layout. Compatible devices: Nokia 7650, 3650/3600, N-Gage/N-Gage QD, 6600, 3660/3620, 7610, 6620, 6670, 6260, 6630, 3230, 6680/6681, Panasonic x700/x701, Samsung SGH-D730, Siemens SX1, Sendo X.
Let’s get started…
- I assumed that this application is compatible with your phone model, install the eBook 1.03 application to the phone’s memory card.
- Use third party file manager application. In my case, I use FExplorer 1.17, my favorite freeware and the updated version. This application is necessity to manipulate your ebooks on your phone. Other versions: German French Italian Dutch Spanish Swedish Finnish Portuguese
- If this is the first time you installed the eBook application, open FExplorer, go to E:\System\Apps\SW_Book and create a folder “Library”. This is the location you should store all your prc and pdb eBoook files.
- From the mobile phone’s main menu, open eBook 1.03. If you’ve already saved an ebook, you should see the file there.
Why do I like eBook 1.03?
I’ve mentioned earlier that eBook 1.03 reads PRC and PDB files, these files are smaller compared to other eBook formats. It is important if you have limited memory on your mmc. Eye strain? I usually spent 2-4 hours reading ebook on my phone. The first time I’ve used this application, I haven’t adjusted the application settings. The adjustments consists of font size and color, background color… this ebook application is “eye friendly”. It also has page scrolling feature for easy reading, no more clicking. Just make sure you haven’t fall asleep. hehehe.. You can also change the screen layout, the default is portrait or change it to landscape. How about the bookmark? If you exit the application, when opening it again… the eBook and the last page you previously close will be there. For additonal bookmark, you could also bookmark the page or if you remember the percent (%) or page you want, just simply navigate it.
