jetBook supports ePUB, MOBI, PRC and RTF formats

[Marysart]

Hey, that is good news! I will however wait to see the download before I start considering the Jetbook .

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Kris777

I received information from Ectaco that updated jetBook firmware will be available for download on jetbook.net website begin of next week

Get ready for the "Where is my PID?" type of questions as people try to figure out how to purchase content with DRM because that is what they want to read. The Jetbook will never make it to the mainstream if it cannot handle mainstream type eBooks and it cannot and it will tank.

[astra]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Get ready for the "Where is my PID?" type of questions as people try to figure out how to purchase content with DRM because that is what they want to read. The Jetbook will never make it to the mainstream if it cannot handle mainstream type eBooks and it cannot and it will tank.

Jon, leave them alone
I am sure you managed to get your point of view across to them.

I , personally, am not interested in jetbook, however I am glad they stand the ground and don't add any DRM support. If they manage to be popular without any kind of DRM support it will be a good example for others, e.g., publishers. Quite clear message that no one needs their dirty DRM and that people will read books anyway and bypass stupid, unrelenting, old fashioned business model.

[ny10522]

Originally Posted by astra

I am glad they stand the ground and don't add any DRM support. If they manage to be popular without any kind of DRM support it will be a good example for others, e.g., publishers. Quite clear message that no one needs their dirty DRM and that people will read books anyway and bypass stupid, unrelenting, old fashioned business model.

I couldn't agree more!!!!!!

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by astra

however I am glad they stand the ground and don't add any DRM support.

Anyone remember NAEB? They wanted a DRM-free ebook reader, but ended up reselling the Cybook Gen3. At the time I was sure that adding a DRMed format was essential for a dedicated ebook reader. NAEB did not work out, but not because they bent their principles (Mission Statement) and sold a DRM capable device. The jetbook is NAEB's dream device, but it is based on a looser enforcement of copyrights than we are used to. Its concept of operations seems to be to download "free" ebooks from the Internet.

I any case, it is much more feasible today than a couple of years ago to buy a DRM-free ebook reader and yet continue to support authors (and publishers) by buying ebooks. There are a few more DRM-free titles today, but there is more capability to strip DRM and vastly more awareness of the possibility of stripping DRM (for personal use only). The interest in OpenInkPot and FBReader are to some extent driven by this, although software is easier to support than hardware without a business plan. So I am no longer sure that DRM is required for the success of a reading device, but providing a DRMed format is still the safest option and this is becoming increasingly easy to do over time.

[astra]

I wonder.
If ebook reader manufacturer adds DRM support. Do they have to pay royalties to someone for enabling this particular format and DRM on their devices?
Would it, as a consequence, rise ebook reader's price?

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by astra

If ebook reader manufacturer adds DRM support. Do they have to pay royalties to someone for enabling this particular format and DRM on their devices?

Few companies discuss the details, but that seems to be the case. The only price I have seen is $75K per year for Adobe Digital Editions, see No problem on future Fictionwise DRM. There are no details, and Astak is now saying that ADE will be on their future devices - so perhaps the $75K did not apply to them. It would certainly be possible for someone like FictionWise to make their reader software available to companies for little to no cost in order to get more eReader supporting devices out there. Even then, there would be a cost in porting the SDK to the device.

Netronix and Jinkie seem to be planning to amortize their software costs over a range of devices, from a low cost 5" to a high cost 9.7". That might make the cost of DRM support negligible on a unit basis. However, DRM may be a significant expense if you are entering the market with a low cost device.

[Kris777]

Originally Posted by Marysart

Hey, that is good news! I will however wait to see the download before I start considering the Jetbook .

Updated version available now on jetBook website:
http://www.jetbook.net/upgrade.php

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by wallcraft

Few companies discuss the details, but that seems to be the case. The only price I have seen is $75K per year for Adobe Digital Editions, see No problem on future Fictionwise DRM. There are no details, and Astak is now saying that ADE will be on their future devices - so perhaps the $75K did not apply to them. It would certainly be possible for someone like FictionWise to make their reader software available to companies for little to no cost in order to get more eReader supporting devices out there. Even then, there would be a cost in porting the SDK to the device.

Netronix and Jinkie seem to be planning to amortize their software costs over a range of devices, from a low cost 5" to a high cost 9.7". That might make the cost of DRM support negligible on a unit basis. However, DRM may be a significant expense if you are entering the market with a low cost device.

Yes, Wallcraft is right, Adobe Digital Editions runs $75,000 a year but for EACH model... not like most would think: $75,000 for all devices you release per year.

The $75,000 DOES apply to our two factories, $75,000 for each factory and each model they release and an additional $75,000 a year for "support" of previously released models. To make this clearer, it is $75,000 for Astak EZ Reader Basic, $75,000 for Astak EZ Reader PRO. $75,000 for Mentor Lite, $75,000 for Mentor Intrique, etc.

Fictionwise eReader, on the other hand, is free for all devices and all models.
AND... it is a great format and they give you plenty of support.

SO... this is the choice for eBook Reader manufacturers... go with Fictionwise and keep DRM costs non-existant or go with Adobe and pay a relative fortune each year. Our NDA precludes saying much more. Also, Adobe will NOT talk to Astak at all... only with the factories. We cannot clarify anything for the factories or get involved at all. To me, this is madness. Astak is trying to help the factories to understand documents that are all in English and we are located 15 miles from Adobe... and we do not have the right to converse??

All of this does not bode well for the end user at all.

Robert B

[phenomshel]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Yes, Wallcraft is right, Adobe Digital Editions runs $75,000 a year but for EACH model... not like most would think: $75,000 for all devices you release per year.

The $75,000 DOES apply to our two factories, $75,000 for each factory and each model they release and an additional $75,000 a year for "support" of previously released models. To make this clearer, it is $75,000 for Astak EZ Reader Basic, $75,000 for Astak EZ Reader PRO. $75,000 for Mentor Lite, $75,000 for Mentor Intrique, etc.

Fictionwise eReader, on the other hand, is free for all devices and all models.
AND... it is a great format and they give you plenty of support.

SO... this is the choice for eBook Reader manufacturers... go with Fictionwise and keep DRM costs non-existant or go with Adobe and pay a relative fortune each year. Our NDA precludes saying much more. Also, Adobe will NOT talk to Astak at all... only with the factories. We cannot clarify anything for the factories or get involved at all. To me, this is madness. Astak is trying to help the factories to understand documents that are all in English and we are located 15 miles from Adobe... and we do not have the right to converse??

All of this does not bode well for the end user at all.

Robert B

But Robert, that's awful! What happened to common sense??

(and btw, I don't like Fictionwise OR Adobe.)

[astra]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Fictionwise eReader

Robert B

Just out of curiosity. Does jetBook support Fictionwise eReader DRM? Or it doesn't have DRM?

[bill_mchale]

Originally Posted by phenomshel

But Robert, that's awful! What happened to common sense??

(and btw, I don't like Fictionwise OR Adobe.)

Just curious, what is your beef against Fictionwise? While not perfect, they generally have done their best to provide DRM free books to their customers and when the publishers demand DRM, their DRM is certainly the most friendly and the least tied to a specific device.

--
Bill

[Kris777]

Originally Posted by astra

Just out of curiosity. Does jetBook support Fictionwise eReader DRM? Or it doesn't have DRM?

It doesn't have DRM but supports PRC that is available on Fictionwise website among Multiformat books.

[astra]

It says eReader is a secure format i.e. encrypted.
Doesn't it mean it is drm protected or have some sort of limitation on usage of an ebook?

(I know nothing about this format, just read a few explanations on fictionwise)

[kevindorsey]

It doesn't need to be mainstream for it to be a semi-success though. There are always technology adapters that spread the word and make it more popular.