Kindle Removal Drm Error: .azw4 (New extension?)

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by drv

Why in the world would Amazon sell an ebook that can't be read on the Kindle? Isn't that limiting their sales as well as a slap in the face of all the faithful Kindles fans? I don't get it.

From the description, this new format is Amazon's version of a PDF — a complete reproduction of the printed page. The text doesn't reflow, the pages are a fixed size.

Apart from the need for a firmware update to allow the Kindle to read the new format, I suspect that the reading experience on a Kindle would be very poor.

They are introducing it for the college textbook market.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

From the description, this new format is Amazon's version of a PDF

Have now looked at a sample of one of these books I can confirm that it is essentially a PDF file wrapped in the Palm Database file format.

The current DeDRM tools won't help.

[vacaloca]

I also came across one of these just now. I was hoping I would be able to read it on my Android device and ended up calling and requesting a refund once I found this thread.

Update: I realized that Google sold the same eBook with Adept PDF DRM, I had to strip it for my use on my device by using the Calibre plugins. That won't help digamma though, I saw his book isn't carried by Google, so it's unfortunate that this new Amazon format does not support mobile devices...

Further, I just even noticed that some Android apps (txtr, Alkido) will actually work with Adept encrypted books, although I haven't tried it, it was easier to just strip the DRM and not worry about it. That being said, Amazon should give the option of having these new books readable with their mobile apps for those who want to, regardless of the (perhaps clunky) user experience.

[digamma]

Originally Posted by vacaloca

I also came across one of these just now. I was hoping I would be able to read it on my Android device and ended up calling and requesting a refund once I found this thread.

Update: I realized that Google sold the same eBook with Adept PDF DRM, I had to strip it for my use on my device by using the Calibre plugins. That won't help digamma though, I saw his book isn't carried by Google, so it's unfortunate that this new Amazon format does not support mobile devices...

Further, I just even noticed that some Android apps (txtr, Alkido) will actually work with Adept encrypted books, although I haven't tried it, it was easier to just strip the DRM and not worry about it. That being said, Amazon should give the option of having these new books readable with their mobile apps for those who want to, regardless of the (perhaps clunky) user experience.

Thanks for looking to see if Google carried the textbook, vacaloca. I also requested a refund, which I should receive in 2-3 days.

As pdurrant suggested, anyone having this issue should call Amazon (800-201-7575) and do the same.

[siv]

It works. Just change the extension on the file from azw4 to azw and the Calibre plugin will decrypt it as usual. Calibre won't be able to read the resulting file, but that is only because the extension in wrong. Click the button to show the decrypted file and change the extension from mobi to pdf. Now double click to open in your favorite pdf reader.

Edit: This works on OS X with Preview.app anyway, other programs I've tried don't recognize it.

[any ANONYMOUS forum user]

DRM Tools 4.7 comes with DRM removal tools allowing to remove protection from legally purcased (not rented) Amazon Print Replica (.azw4) ebooks.

[viobass]

I have tried everything to verify your last statement and have no idea how to make it work. How do I remove the drm from a purchased azw4 file???

[viobass]

Does this remove the drm? Nothing seems to want to work with my textbook file.

[any ANONYMOUS forum user]

Originally Posted by viobass

Does this remove the drm? Nothing seems to want to work with my textbook file.

Do you have problems with a rented or a fully purchased textbook?