Reflowable PDF and DRMed ePub coming for Cybooks, iRexes, Plastic Logic machines and others, in addition to apps such as Stanza—at least when vendors follow through
An 
Adobe press release follows.
While I dislike eBabel—PDF is among the many clashing format, in a war highly confusing to consumers—the above is still great news for public library users.
PDF is among the more popular formats. And Adobe’s new support for software and hardware developers will also encompass ePub , the IDPF’s standard, which will become increasingly common for library users and others.
Reflowable PDF means that line lengths can more easily fit the size of the screen—especially handy for small-screened mobile devices such as the Cybook. The latest Sony Readers, the PRS-505 and PRS-700, already use the technology.
I’ll be curious to see how smooth the reflowability process is for other machines and in various software apps.
Another issue is the extent to which owners of existing machines, as distinguished from users of easily upgradable apps like Stanza, will be able to enjoy the new capabilities. I’ll welcome further comments from Adobe on these issues.
Update, 2:06 Washington time: Still another issue is whether the vendors will follow through, now that the software developers kit is available. My belief is that the overwhelming majority will. Stanz/Lexcycle and Plastic Logic are already committed, and iRex and Bookeen have hoped for the ability to read DRMed PDF.
DRM capabilities offered as well—for PDF and ePub
Significantly the news release mentions DRM, needed to read most public library books if they’re still under copyright. Of course, this is a proprietary "feature," meaning that ePub books will not be readable with "protection" systems other than Adobe’s. Still, the ability to read ePub, the best eBabel fighter so far, is praiseworthy.
One other question is what this means in terms of legalities from Mobipocket, the Amazon-owned software company, which is said to ban competing DRM-capable apps from E Ink machines. Will the Cybook-type devices be able to offer both the new Adobe capabilities and the existing Mobi? Let’s hope so. If not, maybe it’s time for the U.S. and EU to modify anti-trust laws if need be to apply to such situations.
Shown is a Cybook, in an old photo, without reflowable PDF involved. - D.R.
Related: OverDrive: BBC audio books to be available to libraries via OverDrive (The Bookseller) and Mobile Flash apps to get better distribution, more money (Techmeme roundup).
Adobe Announces New eBook and PDF Support for Mobile Devices: Software Development Kit Enables Reflowable PDF and Content Protection for Smartphones and Reading Devices
BARCELONA, Spain — Feb. 16, 2009 — At the GSMA Mobile World Congress, Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced the availability of the new Adobe® Reader® Mobile SDK, a software development kit (SDK) designed to enable companies to deliver mobile phones and handheld devices that can easily download, manage, and display PDF content and eBooks. The new software engine delivers support for reflowable PDF technology, Adobe’s content protection technology, as well as the EPUB file format, an XML-based eBook standard with broad support from the publishing industry.
In support of the new Adobe Reader Mobile SDK, a number of companies announced plans to ship devices or applications in 2009 that integrate the new Adobe technology, including Bookeen, iRex Technologies, Lexcycle, Plastic Logic, Polymer Vision Ltd., and Spring Design. The Adobe Reader Mobile engine is already integrated into the groundbreaking Reader Digital Book™ by Sony.
Adobe Reader Mobile SDK delivers new support for reflowable PDF technology, where text is able to adapt automatically to the screen size enabling readers to consume digital content on a variety of devices while preserving layout integrity and enhancing the reading experience. The support for the new EPUB file format is expected to accelerate the availability of eBook content on mobile devices worldwide. Consumers can acquire content with Adobe Reader Mobile-enabled devices over the air (OTA) and via PCs and Macintosh systems through the latest version of Adobe Digital Editions, Adobe’s popular desktop application for reading and managing digital publications.
“With Adobe Reader Mobile SDK, Adobe is expanding the reach of PDF content, making it easier for mobile users to engage with rich digital publications on the go,” said Kevin M. Lynch, vice president and general manager of the Acrobat family of products at Adobe. “Consumers are demanding content that looks great on a small screen and publishers want to ensure a viewing experience that enhances their brand and, where appropriate, protects their content. This new software engine delivers on both expectations.”
“With support for reflowable PDF and the new EPUB format, we are able to deliver richer reading experiences to digital book lovers,” said Steve Haber, president, Digital Reading Business Division, Sony Electronics. “The Reader ships with support for Adobe Reader Mobile SDK today and allows consumers to acquire eBooks from a variety of sources, including public libraries. Our goal is to foster an open content environment that enables our customers to maximize the use and enjoyment of their Readers.”
“The sophisticated capabilities of Adobe Reader Mobile SDK will greatly enhance Stanza by providing flexible rights management for PDF and EPUB, such as the ability to borrow commercial books from libraries,” said Marc Prud’hommeaux, chief executive officer at Lexcycle. “Stanza’s 1.3 million users are spread across 60 countries worldwide, proving that the digital reading revolution is truly a global phenomenon and that next generation mobile devices like the iPhone and iPod Touch will play a major role in the future of reading.”
With integrated support for Adobe’s content protection technology, publishers can rely on the copy protection of eBooks and other digital publications. Adobe Content Server 4 enables publishers, retailers, libraries and other distributors to protect PDF and EPUB content for distribution to PCs and devices. For more information on Adobe’s content protection technology and Adobe Content Server 4, visit www.adobe.com/products/contentserver . Availability
Adobe Reader Mobile 9 SDK, which replaces the previous Adobe Reader LE 2.5 technology, is being integrated with licensee device and smartphone applications and is available immediately. The software engine is part of a family of Adobe document solutions, including the Adobe Acrobat® 9 product line and Adobe Reader 9 software. For information on the Adobe Reader Mobile SDK licensing, visit www.adobe.com/devnet/readermobile . About Adobe Systems Incorporated
Adobe revolutionizes how the world engages with ideas and information - anytime, anywhere and through any medium. For more information, visit www.adobe.com .
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© 2009 Adobe Systems Incorporated. All rights reserved. Adobe, the Adobe logo, Adobe Reader Mobile, Adobe Content Server and Acrobat are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
February 16th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
David,
It’s up to our partners, of course, to decide if, how, and when to provide firmware upgrades for existing hardware. It is also up to them to decide how to communicate their decisions to their customers. However, if I hear anything public, I’ll make sure to pass it along.
Re: PDF Reflowability. Individual implementations will vary, but they will most likely have the same problems that the Sony Reader has:
- A text flow is page terminated at the end of the PDF page.
- Misc. reflow line breaks, where users don’t expect them (because of the way the PDF was authored).
PDF is not the best container for reflowable content, and while we can and will continue to tweak the reflow algorithms, ePub will always be better for reflow.
February 16th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Well, maybe Adobe will pull off something useable with PDF reflow ability, but as it stands, PDF is still the worst format for reading ebooks on anything other than a desktop, laptop, or perhaps netbook. I’ve read more than 300 short stories and and 150 books in a number of eformats, but not one has been PDF–despite the plethora of free material in that format. My devices have been Compaq and Dell PDAs, then the Kindle.
As an ebook format, it is about time to toss the PDF format into rubbish heap of obsolete technology, kind of like floppy drives. At one time computers came the standard 5 1/4 drives, then 3 1/2, then they went away for the most part. The same should be done with the PDF.
February 16th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Greg M,
Your frustration is why Adobe’s Digital Publishing products (Digital Editions, Content Server 4, Reader Mobile 9 SDK) support both PDF and EPUB. We give our partners and end consumers a choice between industry-standard formats: fixed-page (PDF) and reflowable (EPUB).
PDF reflow allows for at least a certain amount of usability on small-screen devices for the many many PDFs in existence. This is certainly better than no reflow at all on mobile devices.
For publishers specifically targeting mobile devices, we’d obviously recommend EPUB.