Developing for the iPad?

phmadore · 04-01-2010, 11:21 PM

So, does anyone know how to make an epub which is optimized for the iPad yet?

pilotbob · 04-01-2010, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phmadore

So, does anyone know how to make an epub which is optimized for the iPad yet?

The thing about ePub is that it is a flowable format. Similar to html which web sites send to your browser ePub is a markup language which has tags that specify what type of data is in the ePub ebook. For example, it delimits what is a chapter, what is a paragraph, what font sizes to use, what font attributes to use... etc.

At that point it is up to the software in the device, be it a PC or a Sony reader or a Nook or an iPad to use the annotations in the ebook to layout out the text as best as it can for the size of your device.

So, the bottom line is you can't (and shouldn't) optimize and ePub book for any single device. That is actually the whole point of ePub.. to be device agnostic.

Hth,
BOb

LDBoblo · 04-02-2010, 01:07 AM

As pilotbob said, epub is essentially a base format which is intended to port to a variety of independent devices. The problem is, much like CSS when it was fresh, support is a bit haphazard in places.

I think a more important question is: How can developers make better epub-reading programs? iBooks looks to be pretty run-of-the-mill so far, and if Apple doesn't reject them, superior independent epub readers could be developed.

If you are an epub file creator, just carry on as usual, I'd suspect.

WillAdams · 04-02-2010, 07:28 AM

The one major change which one would make for the iPad would be to _not_ convert images to greyscale.

A second would be to include enough pixels to make them look good when viewed in 1024 x 768 landscape, w/ quite a few more if the content warrants zooming in.

A third would be to pick fonts which play well w/ Apple's font rendering scheme (appropriate hinting techniques, ligatures &c. which will be recognized).

Lastly, Apple is apparently picky about files not being listed in the manifest, so either delete them, or add them to that list.

William

Jellby · 04-05-2010, 09:28 AM

Apparently, ePUB books can be read in the iPad using something other than Apple-provided apps: http://blog.threepress.org/2010/03/1...r-on-the-ipad/

pdurrant · 04-05-2010, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phmadore

So, does anyone know how to make an epub which is optimized for the iPad yet?

The only change I've made to my ePubs is to add the cover meta data, without which iTunes doesn't pick up the cover image.

phmadore · 04-09-2010, 05:13 PM

Anything else, anyone?

How exactly does one get an ebook into iBooks?

pilotbob · 04-09-2010, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phmadore

Anything else, anyone?

How exactly does one get an ebook into iBooks?

If they are ePub books you can import them into iTunes and then when you sync your iPad they will be in iBooks.

BOb

04-01-2010, 11:21 PM	#1
phmadore Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: Sony PRS-505	Developing for the iPad? So, does anyone know how to make an epub which is optimized for the iPad yet?

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04-02-2010, 01:07 AM	#3
LDBoblo Wizard Posts: 1,385 Karma: 16056 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Asia Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Sony PRS-505	As pilotbob said, epub is essentially a base format which is intended to port to a variety of independent devices. The problem is, much like CSS when it was fresh, support is a bit haphazard in places. I think a more important question is: How can developers make better epub-reading programs? iBooks looks to be pretty run-of-the-mill so far, and if Apple doesn't reject them, superior independent epub readers could be developed. If you are an epub file creator, just carry on as usual, I'd suspect.

04-02-2010, 07:28 AM	#4
WillAdams Wizard Posts: 1,234 Karma: 3350652 Join Date: Feb 2008 Device: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (300ppi), Samsung Galaxy Book 12	The one major change which one would make for the iPad would be to _not_ convert images to greyscale. A second would be to include enough pixels to make them look good when viewed in 1024 x 768 landscape, w/ quite a few more if the content warrants zooming in. A third would be to pick fonts which play well w/ Apple's font rendering scheme (appropriate hinting techniques, ligatures &c. which will be recognized). Lastly, Apple is apparently picky about files not being listed in the manifest, so either delete them, or add them to that list. William

04-05-2010, 09:28 AM	#5
Jellby frumious Bandersnatch Posts: 7,516 Karma: 18512745 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Spaniard in Sweden Device: Cybook Orizon, Kobo Aura	Apparently, ePUB books can be read in the iPad using something other than Apple-provided apps: http://blog.threepress.org/2010/03/1...r-on-the-ipad/

04-09-2010, 05:13 PM	#7
phmadore Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: Sony PRS-505	Anything else, anyone? How exactly does one get an ebook into iBooks?

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