Barnes and Noble ePub support?

[nobylspoon]

It looks like B&N will switch over to ePub, probably not until the Plastic Logic device is closer to launcing though.

"Lynch also noted that Barnes & Noble will support the open EPub e-book standard, which is “good for the consumer.""

Barnes & Noble partners with Plastic Logic

[Red Alert]

I find it distressing that B&N, like Amazon published ebooks, will be tied to a particular proprietary device. Just 15 mins ago, they didn't have a list of compatable readers on their site.

Like buying a Honda and being expected to get gas only from Honda gas stations. This system sucks IMHO.

[igorsk]

Originally Posted by Red Alert

I find it distressing that B&N, like Amazon published ebooks, will be tied to a particular proprietary device.

Um, where did you get that from?

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by Red Alert

I find it distressing that B&N, like Amazon published ebooks, will be tied to a particular proprietary device.

B&N is using the eReader format, but it only currently supports Windows PC, Mac, iPhone/Touch, and Blackberry. Standard eReader also supports: PalmOS Handheld or Smartphone, Windows Mobile PocketPC (Professional), Windows Mobile Smartphone (Standard), Symbian s60 and UIQ.

There are no supported EInk devices at present. There has been (unconfirmed) speculation that the iRex DR800 and the Plastic Logic Reader will support eReader DRM. There have been more concrete, but still informal, announcements about Astak devices (going through legal review at Astak) and Foxit eSlick (announced before FictionWise was bought by B&N, no news since).

EDIT: iRex's press release today implies that the DR800 will have eReader DRM.

The eReader DRM is the only popular scheme that does not have a device limit. You can use as many reading devices as you like, but the DRM includes your credit card number as a passcode and your name is in the ebook.

[macr0t0r]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

B&N can go kiss my ass. They are taking eBooks and making a mess out of them. We don't need or want yet another DRM added to ePub. We don't want any DRM. But if we have to have DRM, we want just one DRM.

Oh, HECK no! I want every company to have their own DRM for their own device (like Sony and Amazon). I want them to charge authors and publishers the PRIVILEGE of using their DRM and locked-down store as well!

I want this DRM to be every bit the fiasco that online music was. With luck, we'll get the same result: everybody gets angry and frustrated to the point that DRM gets dropped.


However, if that is a crazy dream, then I'll agree that they should've stuck with the Adobe Adept DRM instead. If their intent is to make sure that their E-ink device is the only one that can read their ebooks, then they are seriously shooting themselves in the foot. They should leverage the many devices that are already out in the wild and searching for content.

- Jim

[Kris777]

Originally Posted by Barcey

I'm looking forward to B&N coming out with their own reader for ePub. I don't want everyone to have to use Adobe ePub rendering, and Adobe DRM servers and pay Adobe every time I buy a ebook.

.

100% agree. I can't see any reason why Adobe ePub better than ereader ePub.

[MerLock]

Originally Posted by Kris777

100% agree. I can't see any reason why Adobe ePub better than ereader ePub.

I don't think many people are arguing over which DRM is better but I think what most people want is ONE type of DRM for ePub. Having several different DRM schemes for the same format can lead to confusion if not all devices support every DRM out there.

I wish everyone came together and settled on one type of DRM for ePub or get rid of DRM all together. I know, wishful thinking.

[macr0t0r]

Originally Posted by Kris777

100% agree. I can't see any reason why Adobe ePub better than ereader ePub.

Well, it depends on if your Jetbook supports the eReader DRM, right?

Right now, I'm just glad that they support the eReader PDB files, since that already supports many platforms. However, I honestly don't know how likely other E-Ink devices will support eReader ePub files. I'd like to have a format that gave me a some choices on what device I use. The Adobe DRM is not lovable, but it is supported by multiple devices.

Of course, the best solution is no DRM with an open format. I don't think the associated parties have lost enough money yet to relent, though.

- Jim

[lamparty]

Originally Posted by macr0t0r

Well, it depends on if your Jetbook supports the eReader DRM, right?

Right now, I'm just glad that they support the eReader PDB files, since that already supports many platforms. However, I honestly don't know how likely other E-Ink devices will support eReader ePub files. I'd like to have a format that gave me a some choices on what device I use. The Adobe DRM is not lovable, but it is supported by multiple devices.

Of course, the best solution is no DRM with an open format. I don't think the associated parties have lost enough money yet to relent, though.

- Jim

The Sony Reader PRS-505 supports ePUB files already! Though if Barnes and Noble changes the DRM scheme that would kill any hope of me using their store!! I already have bought many eBooks from Fictionwise.com there you can even get them in native lrf format, though of course not the DRMed lrx! In fact at Fictionwise you download in just about every format, as long as it is a Non-DRMed ebook in their multiformat selection. Since I use Ubuntu Linux 99.99% of the time and Calibre instead of the Sony library software, I steer clear of DRMed book if at all possible. So far with 100% success rate!!