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fjtorres · 06-18-2011, 08:34 AM

My expectations are that Apple will be the first to market with full ePub3 support.
If they're still serious about ebooks, Sony will announce the next day for delivery at a future date; the improved suport for asian languages will force the announcement even if they have nothing to back it up with.
Vendors tied to Adobe's sdk will run at least two years behind apple and some will never deliver a quality epub3 product.
Of the software players, Overdrive will likely be the first with a compliant app based off Adobe code, say in 2013. Coolreader will likely schedule it for Coolreader4, not 3. Fbreader I doubt will even try for compliance, they'll just make sure the files open and are readable.

The things to understand about the epub3 spec is that:
- it patches several usability holes in its precursor spec
- it adds an entire new model of multimedia content and programability, trying to make bookapps and vooks and other proprietary "enhanced books" redundant
- it's greatest value for non-enhanced books will be in complex format content, like technical books and user manuals and most likely (finally!) push pdfs out of the ebook space. It might foster a viable academic ebook platform.
- some of the text-focused features will add real value to B&W eink readers but the bulk of the advanced features will favor color (likely lcd) displays. (Hence Apple's likely embrace.)
- added value to western recreational fiction readers will be minimal.
- it will bring a new level of forking to epub beyond the current DRM splinters as different vendors interpret the spec differently and tune their publishing tools and render engines differently.
- since epub currently has no significant enforcement powers it will take a while for the variant implementations to become fully interactive. I'm guessing 5 years.

Bottom line: if your reading needs are mostly/fully met by a PB360, you'll find little added value in epub3. If you are struggling to use a PB903 for technical/academic uses, you'll see big benefits in a future generation product. Anybody else will see some benefits but not soon.

Worth keeping an eye out but nothing to worry about.

06-18-2011, 08:34 AM	#6
fjtorres Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,732 Karma: 128354696 Join Date: May 2009 Location: 26 kly from Sgr A* Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000	My expectations are that Apple will be the first to market with full ePub3 support. If they're still serious about ebooks, Sony will announce the next day for delivery at a future date; the improved suport for asian languages will force the announcement even if they have nothing to back it up with. Vendors tied to Adobe's sdk will run at least two years behind apple and some will never deliver a quality epub3 product. Of the software players, Overdrive will likely be the first with a compliant app based off Adobe code, say in 2013. Coolreader will likely schedule it for Coolreader4, not 3. Fbreader I doubt will even try for compliance, they'll just make sure the files open and are readable. The things to understand about the epub3 spec is that: - it patches several usability holes in its precursor spec - it adds an entire new model of multimedia content and programability, trying to make bookapps and vooks and other proprietary "enhanced books" redundant - it's greatest value for non-enhanced books will be in complex format content, like technical books and user manuals and most likely (finally!) push pdfs out of the ebook space. It might foster a viable academic ebook platform. - some of the text-focused features will add real value to B&W eink readers but the bulk of the advanced features will favor color (likely lcd) displays. (Hence Apple's likely embrace.) - added value to western recreational fiction readers will be minimal. - it will bring a new level of forking to epub beyond the current DRM splinters as different vendors interpret the spec differently and tune their publishing tools and render engines differently. - since epub currently has no significant enforcement powers it will take a while for the variant implementations to become fully interactive. I'm guessing 5 years. Bottom line: if your reading needs are mostly/fully met by a PB360, you'll find little added value in epub3. If you are struggling to use a PB903 for technical/academic uses, you'll see big benefits in a future generation product. Anybody else will see some benefits but not soon. Worth keeping an eye out but nothing to worry about. Last edited by fjtorres; 06-18-2011 at 08:36 AM.