Comments on: At least 16 e-reader devices support or will support ePub via Adobe Digital Editions

By: David Rothman

David Rothman — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 08:30:05 +0000

Christine, I couldn’t agree more with your concerns, and I appreciated your mentioning the current status of the Gen3. Let’s hope there’s an update from Bookeen.

As for Adobe and ePub, we do need for give Adobe credit for encouraging the IDPF to do the standard. But credit NOT for blurring the distinction between the standard per se and Adobe-DRMed ePub.

Thanks,
David

By: Christine

Christine — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 08:24:58 +0000

“The following devices and mobile phone applications are compatible with Adobe’s open, cross-platform solution for eBooks and other digital publications.”

Doesn’t that sound like Adobe is taking credit for epub? Or are they strictly referring to pdf?

“The devices support PDF and EPUB content, either unprotected or protected . . .”

Cybook Gen 3 does read non-drm pdf files, but it does a terrible job of it. I don’t think I’ve ever read a pdf book on my Cybook, because it’s too difficult.

It doesn’t support epub at all, and I have the latest firmware update (from Sept. 2008).

Knowing this, it makes me think it’d be wise to question Adobe’s assertion that all these readers are good for reading pdf and epub before buying.

By: David Rothman

David Rothman — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:35:46 +0000

OK, Alan, “support or will support” is the up there now. Thanks very much. David

By: Alan Wallcraft

Alan Wallcraft — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:41:02 +0000

Several of these devices are not actually available with ADE yet. Some are new devices shipping by the end of the month (Sony PRS-300, Sony PRS-600, Astak EZ Reader Pocket Pro, perhaps BeBook Mini), some have no announced shipping date for the device and/or its ADE firmware (Bookeen Gen3, iRex DR1000S, Astak Mentor). However, they all have mobile ADE licenses and Adobe may even have each device running mobile ADE in their labs (because this is apparently part of Adobe’s licensing requirement).

By: David Rothman

David Rothman — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:21:05 +0000

Thanks for the info, Christine. Just back from a visit to the Bookeen site. Actually the Opus has ePub listed, and unless I missed something, I see that the Gen3 doesn’t. So I’ll just say “at least one” and change the headline. Adobe may have been premature in saying two. Thanks. David

By: Christine

Christine — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:05:43 +0000

Bookeen doesn’t have two readers that support epub, only one.