How widely supported is EPUB3?

SavinaRoja · 11-18-2011, 03:07 PM

I am developing a program that produces EPUB2 content. I would like to move to EPUB3 but am concerned about accessibility. Which readings systems fail to provide support for EPUB3?

Keroberos · 11-18-2011, 04:22 PM

I don't think any really support EPUB3 at this point. Seeing as the spec was just finalized recently, it might be a while before we see widespread support. Unfortunately many older devices might never see EPUB3 support due to hardware limitations, and the inevitability of manufacturers not adding support in older devices to make you upgrade to the new shiny.

I also don't see many publishers upgrading to EPUB3 until there are enough devices supporting it to justify the cost of adding a new format, unless there's a way to make EPUB3 books fall back to EPUB2 on older devices.

DaleDe · 11-18-2011, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SavinaRoja

I am developing a program that produces EPUB2 content. I would like to move to EPUB3 but am concerned about accessibility. Which readings systems fail to provide support for EPUB3?

None of them with the exception of
AZARDI, iBooks have partial support.

SavinaRoja · 11-19-2011, 07:03 PM

That is disappointing news. EPUB3 looks much cleaner and easier to work with. I guess I'll adopt mixed tactics and provide support both.

DaleDe · 11-19-2011, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SavinaRoja

That is disappointing news. EPUB3 looks much cleaner and easier to work with. I guess I'll adopt mixed tactics and provide support both.

Actually it is not. There are no free tools yet that do ePub 3 and even most commercial tools won't do it. Therefore it becomes a roll your own. Just out of curiosity why do you think it will be easier to work with? Or even cleaner?

JSWolf · 11-25-2011, 12:26 PM

If you want to code ePub3, just remember, it won't sell. Nobody yet supports it.

SavinaRoja · 12-02-2011, 12:08 PM

Selling is not so much a concern, my "product" is free and open. I am much more concerned that it can be used by both the blind and by average reading systems.

11-18-2011, 03:07 PM	#1
SavinaRoja OpenAccess_EPUB Dev. Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Device: Kindle	How widely supported is EPUB3? I am developing a program that produces EPUB2 content. I would like to move to EPUB3 but am concerned about accessibility. Which readings systems fail to provide support for EPUB3?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Is the Nook Touch in stock and widely available?	rahulm	Barnes & Noble NOOK	2	06-10-2011 11:17 PM
epub3	pbs_ebook	Writer2ePub	1	05-06-2011 12:47 PM
Sample for ePub3	bhuvana786	ePub	2	03-02-2011 08:26 AM
EPUB3 reader?	derangedhermit	Which one should I buy?	14	02-20-2011 04:32 PM
A few things not widely known about the nook color.	brandorf	Nook Color & Nook Tablet	17	01-11-2011 03:13 AM

11-18-2011, 04:22 PM	#2
Keroberos Zealot Posts: 128 Karma: 238654 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: Kobo Mini (4GB), Nook Classic wi-fi, iPod Touch (Bluefire Reader)	I don't think any really support EPUB3 at this point. Seeing as the spec was just finalized recently, it might be a while before we see widespread support. Unfortunately many older devices might never see EPUB3 support due to hardware limitations, and the inevitability of manufacturers not adding support in older devices to make you upgrade to the new shiny. I also don't see many publishers upgrading to EPUB3 until there are enough devices supporting it to justify the cost of adding a new format, unless there's a way to make EPUB3 books fall back to EPUB2 on older devices.

11-19-2011, 07:03 PM	#4
SavinaRoja OpenAccess_EPUB Dev. Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Device: Kindle	That is disappointing news. EPUB3 looks much cleaner and easier to work with. I guess I'll adopt mixed tactics and provide support both.

11-25-2011, 12:26 PM	#6
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 80,782 Karma: 150249619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	If you want to code ePub3, just remember, it won't sell. Nobody yet supports it.

12-02-2011, 12:08 PM	#7
SavinaRoja OpenAccess_EPUB Dev. Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2011 Device: Kindle	Selling is not so much a concern, my "product" is free and open. I am much more concerned that it can be used by both the blind and by average reading systems.