Quote:
Originally Posted by Robertb
There is word that the B&N library WILL be available to Adobe Digital Editions users in the summer of 2010. But, getting clarification of this seems to take months.
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B&N (not necessarily FictionWise, but the B&N ebookstore) is migrating exclusively to ePub using "password" DRM (similar DRM to eReader, but for ePub). Adobe controls this DRM, and what they say (
Customer FAQ: Adobe and Barnes & Noble) is:
Quote:
Q: What is the new social content protection technology that Adobe will be delivering in its solutions, and how does it relate to today's eReader DRM?
A: Adobe is adding support to its digital publishing solutions for a new, password-based content protection option for EPUB. This new feature will be part of the Adobe solution and encompasses technology licensed from Barnes & Noble. From an end-user perspective, this password protection option will function similar to the way that today's eReader DRM works with the eReader PDB format. For example, an EPUB file protected with this option will require the user to enter an ID and password the first time they wish to access the content. Distributors using this system may choose to make the password something that a user is reluctant to share with others, such as the billing name and number of the credit card used to purchase the content (as is done in today's eReader model), but this will not be a requirement of the password-protection option itself.
Q: When will Content Server-compatible devices support this new password protection option?
A: Adobe will deliver later in 2009 an enhanced Reader Mobile SDK that, among other new features, will support the new password-based EPUB protection option. Devices that integrate this enhanced RMSDK will be compatible with EPUB content sold by the Barnes & Noble eBookstore, although the devices may require manual transfer of content until the next major version of Adobe Digital Editions is released. This compatibility may also include firmware upgrades made available for existing devices, as determined by our licensees.
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So, when 6charlong asks "Will Astak update their line so they can read both Adept and B&N DRMed ePub books?" this is equivalent to "Will Astak update their line to support password-based ePub DRM from Adobe". The point is that Adobe has committed to providing the capability, but it is up to its licensees (like Astak, Jinke and Netronix) to implement the new features of the Reader Mobile SDK on theie devices.
I don't think there is much concern about password-DRM for new device types, this seems almost automatic, so what 6charlong is asking about is existing devices.
Note that B&N is already providing password-protected ePubs for the Nook and for its Reader apps (Windows PCs, Macs, iPhone). These ePubs are already guaranteed to work on any mobile ADE device that support password-DRM. We just need the capability implemented. However, when the FAQ said "later in 2009" I assume Adobe now means early on 2010, i.e. like most software it is probably running late.