iPhone Public Domain Books for 99 cents

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by nekokami

I thought Mobipocket wouldn't license their DRM on any platform that also supported a different DRM scheme? That was what the Astak folks were saying.

Though if I were them, I'd make an exception for anything being marketed by Apple with i- at the beginning of the name, at this point.

This is different. I can run Mobipocket and MS Reader and eReader DRMed files all on my PC. Also, in this case it is Mobipocket providing the app for the iPhone/iPod platform rather than apple licensing the software/DRM to bundle with the devices.

BOb

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

This is different. I can run Mobipocket and MS Reader and eReader DRMed files all on my PC. Also, in this case it is Mobipocket providing the app for the iPhone/iPod platform rather than apple licensing the software/DRM to bundle with the devices.

Which makes me curious about Mobipocket's reasoning.

They provide the reader free for a variety of platforms, includingg PCs, PocketPC/Windows Mobile devices, Palm OS devices, Symbian based smartphones, and Blackberries, most of which can run applications that use other foirms of DRM as well, but won't license thier DRM to hardware vendors who want to embed their app if they intend to support any other form of DRM?

Sounds like an attempt to lock in market share for their DRM protected commercial ebook offerings.

Of course, things might get interesting if the market decides DRM is counter productive and stops applying it...

(I don't expect to see that happen any time soon, mind you.)
______
Dennis

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

Sounds like an attempt to lock in market share for their DRM protected commercial ebook offerings.

I agree... it doesn't make sense. But, then again Mobipocket is the most prevelently supported format in the means of content availability and supporting stores. So, they have a bit of leverage.

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

Of course, things might get interesting if the market decides DRM is counter productive and stops applying it...

If only. Although it won't be interesting it will be moot. If I can buy books sans DRM I can pretty much convert them to the format my device needs. There really is no "one true format" like MP3 is for audio files. Although many hope ePub will become that format.

BOb

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

Which makes me curious about Mobipocket's reasoning.

They provide the reader free for a variety of platforms, includingg PCs, PocketPC/Windows Mobile devices, Palm OS devices, Symbian based smartphones, and Blackberries, most of which can run applications that use other foirms of DRM as well, but won't license thier DRM to hardware vendors who want to embed their app if they intend to support any other form of DRM?

Sounds like an attempt to lock in market share for their DRM protected commercial ebook offerings.

Of course, things might get interesting if the market decides DRM is counter productive and stops applying it...

(I don't expect to see that happen any time soon, mind you.)
______
Dennis

What they are doing is supplying source code to vendors to use in their eBook readers. This is what the exclusive license is about. If they did the port for their own benefit is selling eBooks then it is a different matter. All the markets with multiple formats are examples of Mobipocket doing the port themselves.

Dale

[jerryleejr]

With the arrival of the iTunes App Store, some enterprising individuals have started to populated the virtual shop with a bunch of novels from the public domain. All they have to do is "re-box" them, so to speak, before selling through through the Apple online store for 99 cents each. The e-books that you'll find include stuff like Dickens and Tarzan.

The text is said to look pretty crisp and the relatively large display of the iPhone makes for a pleasurable read as well. And you might look a little sexier staring at your iPhone than at your Kindle.

Some of us need all the help we can get!

JJ

[jplumey]

Let's give the iPhone software market to mature. I think we'll eventually see readers on the iPhone that can get access to and download free content from PG or even MR. Given that the SDK can be downloaded and accessed by anyone,maybe an industrious MR reader can do this?

I myself am planning on getting an iPhone (when my T-Mobile contract expires) and can't wait until I can read my classics while waiting in line or anywhere where I don't have access to my Reader. I have the Mobipocket reader for my Windows Smartphone and it's absolutely terrible.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by jplumey

Let's give the iPhone software market to mature. I think we'll eventually see readers on the iPhone that can get access to and download free content from PG or even MR. Given that the SDK can be downloaded and accessed by anyone,maybe an industrious MR reader can do this?

In case you missed it, there is another thread about this. Stanza for iPhone already does this. It interfaces with Feedbooks to allow you to browse their library and download books directly to the iPhone/iPod. There is a video of it in action on their web site. http://www.lexcycle.com/iphone

BOb

[HarryT]

I don't know, and I'm not willing to spend 99c to find out .

[badgoodDeb]

I'm game to buy one and take a look - unless somebody beats me to it. I just got the phone last night, and am in the setup/sync process now.

[badgoodDeb]

Comparing Flatland by Edwin Abbot, I see a few superficial differences, but probably not enough to cause me to spend money again, for the $0.99 cent version.

The standalone $0.99 version has a nice red "leather" cover-page, and also has a blank line between paragraphs instead of paragraph indents. I happen to find the "blank line" version easier to read, and I format my books that way (if I have other reason to bother formatting them).

Stanza allows only left / right side of page touches to turn the page. The standalone ones allow only top / bottom touches. Personally, I like top/bottom better ...

But even with both of those preferences leaning toward the standalone version, I'm not sure there is enough difference to spend money.

Any specific questions?

Oh, and the standalone book takes you straight back into where you left off reading. Stanza opens into its "index" page, you press "Latest reads" and then select which title, and THEN you reach the spot you left off. 2 extra clicks.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by badgoodDeb

But even with both of those preferences leaning toward the standalone version, I'm not sure there is enough difference to spend money.

Any specific questions?

The real issue is the book. Did they improve the book itself by fixing Gutenberg items, curley quotes?, emdash?, italics?, typos?

Dale

[badgoodDeb]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

The real issue is the book. Did they improve the book itself by fixing Gutenberg items, curley quotes?, emdash?, italics?, typos?

Dale

There are straight up and down quotes - so I imagine there are NOT any curley ones. There are two dashes in a row -- so I suspect NO emdashes.

Haven't read the book on the iPhone yet (someday, but not right now) so I can't say to the other questions. But I doubt they have read each book and found/corrected typos.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by badgoodDeb

There are straight up and down quotes - so I imagine there are NOT any curley ones. There are two dashes in a row -- so I suspect NO emdashes.

Haven't read the book on the iPhone yet (someday, but not right now) so I can't say to the other questions. But I doubt they have read each book and found/corrected typos.

so, no value add except reformatting for the device. too bad.

Dale

[semboyan]

LOL. Come on man, That is only opinion from someone. Every people have their own interest and opinion.