Adobe to release Content Server 4 and Digital Editions 1.6

[igorsk]

New versions to be released on September 22.

Adobe Content Server 4 improves file security and flexible permissions, as well as retail and library lending support, which directly benefits aggregators, online distributors and publishers of eBook content through copy protection. eBook files can be hosted in existing Web infrastructures and business processes, providing easy and seamless integration with media servers, databases and e-commerce systems. The software features a pay-as-you-go pricing model for content distribution, and quick downloads for consumers.
Adobe Content Server 4 is fully compatible with Adobe Digital Editions 1.6 software, a free, lightweight desktop application that allows users to manage and read documents and rich, interactive digital content in an intuitive user interface created using Adobe Flash® software. The software delivers enhanced flexibility through named activation and enables users to move content across platforms and supported mobile devices like the new Sony Reader Digital Book.

http://www.sonyinsider.com/2008/09/0...books-for-all/

[JSWolf]

What I am hoping for is that Content Server 4 will validate ePub for mobile DE and not allow eBook shops to sell them if they do not work.

[Alexander Turcic]

The official press-release:

http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/pres...90908ACS4.html

Some related quotes from various Adobe e-book partners:

Ebooks.com
“As the leading retailer of downloadable books on the Web, we require an eBooks solution that enables consumers to securely download books to the device of their choice. With Adobe Content Server 4, we are excited to offer the EPUB format with all of the mobile advantages it provides to our customers, including support for the SONY Reader Digital Book. Content Server is the ideal solution for eBooks, our company and our customers.” — Stephen Cole, CEO, Ebooks.com

Hachette Book Group
“Hachette Book Group was the first major trade publisher to support the EPUB open standard as the only digital book format we deliver to our channel partners, and with Adobe Content Server 4, our partners can deliver our EPUB eBooks directly to users of Adobe Digital Editions and the SONY Reader Digital Book Digital Book, while DRM-protecting our content.” — Neil De Young, Director of Digital Media, Hachette Book Group

HarperCollins Publishers
“The EPUB standard allows our customers to purchase and borrow eBooks from a variety of retailers, libraries and other channels for use on an array of mobile devices. With Adobe Content Server 4, our intellectual property is protected, and consumers have more flexibility in how they can read our books.” — Leslie Hulse, VP, Digital Business Development, HarperCollins Publishers

Ingram Digital
“At Ingram Digital, we pride ourselves on delivering an unparalleled range of digital distribution services to the book industry, working with publishers, retailers and libraries. Adobe Content Server 4 is an important addition to our offerings, allowing us to provide the digital protection, support for mobile platforms and channel flexibility that our partners are seeking.” — James Gray, President and CEO, Ingram Digital

LibreDigital
“LibreDigital is at the forefront of ePublishing, developing technologies like the Internet Digital Warehouse that empower Publishers to captivate readers across new digital platforms. Adobe Content Server 4 helps our publishing customers leverage their assets in order to sell content through a variety of Web sites whether direct or through existing and new channel partners.” — Craig Miller, Chairman, LibreDigital

OverDrive
“OverDrive is expanding its global eBook catalog of PDF with EPUB titles to enable library and retail partners to benefit from exciting mobile devices including the SONY Reader Digital Book. Publishers and booksellers can immediately take advantage of Adobe Content Server 4 protection for their EPUB titles using ADEPT, a hosted solution for use with Adobe Digital Editions.” — Steve Potash, CEO, OverDrive

Penguin
“We are committed to producing and distributing our titles simultaneously in print and as EPUB eBooks, providing customers with the choice of how to access our extensive list of titles. Adobe Content Server 4 is another way for us to sell our inventory directly to customers on our own web sites, as well as via our retail partners.” — Genevieve Shore, Group Digital Director, Penguin

Powells.com
“Ebooks are here to stay, and Adobe continues to be at the forefront of the most stable and innovative ebook technology. Adobe Content Server 4 secures their preeminence in the field, addressing the changing needs in both mobility and security, which we rely on to provide ebooks to our customers.” — Darin Sennett, Director of Web Stuff, Powells.com

Value Chain (International) Ltd.
“Value Chain recognizes the opportunities that the ePub format offers the publishing industry a real opportunity to establish a long overdue, digital consumer foothold. We have long supported and serviced ACS3 and Adobe ereader formatted books. The increasing challenge has been to line up the format, the DRM server and the device. We now see ACS4 as an opportunity to offer a re-flowable PDF formatted files to new and exciting mobile devices and move the digital content opportunity several steps forward for all.” — Martyn Daniels, VP Marketing, Media and Publishing, Value Chain (International) Ltd.

[RWood]

Adobe is also being very aggressive with protecting their content. It seems that every time I use DE it updates itself. Like Google's Chrome browser, DE has an automatic update feature. It makes me wonder if I really want a portable reader with DE as the main DRM format.

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by RWood

Adobe is also being very aggressive with protecting their content. It seems that every time I use DE it updates itself. Like Google's Chrome browser, DE has an automatic update feature. It makes me wonder if I really want a portable reader with DE as the main DRM format.

It's a fair point... though, if one could duly convert ePub content to another format once unlocked, I'd feel a lot better about using it. Still, the advantages of non-DRM'd ePub seem very good, and the number of publishers adopting it is getting pretty impressive. (I've got to get busy converting my books!...)

[khourianya]

I wonder if the release timing on this could somehow be tied to Sony's big announcement on Oct 2...maybe a new connect store selling both epub and lrf....