Quote:
Originally Posted by wallcraft
I agree that the eReader SDK is vaporware, although I don't doubt that FictionWise (B&N) is working on it. I do have some doubt that it will appear on Astak devices, because B&N bought FictionWise. My guess is that B&N are working on their own EInk devices and the eReader SDK won't get released to 3rd parties until after their devices are in the stores (or perhaps never, if B&N wants to emulate Amazon and tie its format exclusively to its own dedicated reading devices). I'm sure Astak is acting in good faith, but B&N are an unknown quantity in the ebook world.
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Actually, Fictionwise/eReader and B&N have both indicated they want to be device-agnostic. Steve Pendergrast (hope I spelled that right) responded to a comment I made at TeleRead saying they want eReader to be supported on every device that wants it. (I was asking about the Palm Pre, and they are already working on an eReader app.)
A friend who works for B&N told me that they (the B&N workers) were told that the new free-wifi policy was enacted to encourage customers to purchase and download ebooks while in the store. That can be done on any device that supports wifi, including laptops and many smartphones. They already have an iPhone app. Might not be the greatest app, but they have it. Several articles have indicated that B&N also wants to get their app onto every device they can. They might sell the Plastic Logic device (talking about vaporware), but that will be one device of many.
Also, since Fictionwise/eReader built Astak an ebook retailing storefront, it would be very weird indeed if they didn't use it to sell eReader format ebooks.
Logically, all this adds up (to me) to eReader support on the Astak devices as soon as possible.