iPad And... the iPad supports ePub

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

But with what kind of DRM? Adobe Adept or something completely new?

Yet another new DRM.

[Pardoz]

Originally Posted by Alpha_Cluster

Um most of your complaint is about Amazon using DRM as well and that not allowing you portability. I am sorry but Amazon videos are DRMed just as much as Apple so you cannot get it on the device.

You're missing the point. I can't get the video on the device because Apple won't allow me to run an application that will play it. I can't get DRM-free content directly onto the device because Apple won't allow me to run an application to shop at that store.

The B&N, and Kobo, and Kindle (and etc.) applications exist to do two things:

1) Shop at a non-Apple store.
2) Read (play back) DRMed content purchased from that store.

Apple has a track record of not allowing you to buy from competitors or read/play files encumbered with competitors' DRM. The icing on the cake is that the current default provider of .epub DRM is Adobe, a company that Apple has legendarily bad relations with.

As much as I hope I'm wrong, these things combine to make me think that the chances of seeing apps for competing bookstores is about the same as the chances of seeing apps for competing music or video stores.

[Alpha_Cluster]

So wait let me get this straight you are angry because like every other device out there it prefers it's own dilivery mechanisms? Also what drm free content have you had issuses with? Last I checked if I buy something at the Amazon store that is like an undrmed mp3 iTunes lets me load it

[Pardoz]

Originally Posted by Alpha_Cluster

So wait let me get this straight you are angry because like every other device out there it prefers it's own dilivery mechanisms?

Angry? Not in the slightest. Just saying that given Apple's has never let people buy media from non-Apple sources or open files encumbered with non-Apple DRM before, I don't particularly expect them to begin doing so now. Which would mean no Stanza, no B&N, no Kobo, no Kindle, and so on (and I wouldn't be shocked if the phone versions swiftly and silently vanish away in a couple of months if the Apple bookstore is available on those devices too).

I might be wrong - hell, I hope I am, I'd dearly love to be proven wrong on this, but I doubt I will be.

[Jedai]

Originally Posted by Pardoz

Just saying that given Apple's has never let people buy media from non-Apple sources or open files encumbered with non-Apple DRM before

"open files encumbered with non-Apple DRM" ? Isn't that kind of an oxymoron ? Apple always allowed you to use content without DRM though, I hope that their iBook will allow one to read epub without DRM.

Originally Posted by Pardoz

, I don't particularly expect them to begin doing so now. Which would mean no Stanza, no B&N, no Kobo, no Kindle, and so on (and I wouldn't be shocked if the phone versions swiftly and silently vanish away in a couple of months if the Apple bookstore is available on those devices too).

I think it is a little bit late to remove those applications now... If Apple had had firm plans for ebooks in place before their apparition I don't doubt they wouldn't have allowed those application in the first place but suppressing them now is liable to give them some really bad press and alienate loyal fans. I can't be sure of course but I think there's a more than equal chance that Apple will continue to allow those applications.

--
Jedaï