Scribd’s new iPaper vs. PDF
Scribd, whose documents exchange site infuriated some members of the SFWA over copyright issues, has just released a platform and documents viewer.
Boosters are hailing iPaper as a possible PDF killer, although I’m not joining the celebration. Click on the image for better view.
Pros of iPaper: Slick graphics and embedding capabilities, so that an e-book can really look inviting and easy to get into. You could even stream e-books, so to speak, and let the pages automatically move ahead. Promising for product info brochures.
Cons: Could help the unscrupulous turn e-books into billboards—mere ad platforms. We’re not talking about a restrained Wowio-style approach. What’s more, ironically enough Scribd relies on Adobe-developed Flash. Yes, other issues arise, too, such as searchability compared to alternatives.
Question: Will the intellectual property hawks at Apple take offense at the term iPaper, especially if a new Apple e-reader is on the way? Perhaps not. A quick search shows the trademark is now in the hands of a paper-related chemical company (no threat because of the different usage), although Adobe formerly owned it. But wait. A Swiss company uses the term to describe “interactive paper.” Different enough not to be a problem?
Related: Items at Webware and Digg.
February 20th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
I think that this is great news for publishers both big and small. I especially like the effect of the turning pages. I’m currently trying to learn as much as I can about this.
February 22nd, 2008 at 7:35 am
iPaper cannot be a PDF killer because it does not permit the publisher to either create or host iPaper documents independently of Scribd. It really needs an open source implementation.
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:38 am
Jon and Benn:
J: Keep us posted. Not my favorite technology, but let’s all learn more.
B: I can appreciate your concerns.
Thanks,
David