Txtr Brings ePUB to the iPhone

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Earlier in the week, I ranted about my frustration with the lack of commercial ebookstores on Android. Chief among my frustrations was a lack of ePUB readers that could handle DRM, the one complaint that overlapped with the otherwise better stocked iPhone. Now the iPhone has gone and beaten Android on all ebook fronts, as txtr’s new app reads ePUBs with Adobe Digital Rights Management.

Why does ePUB matter, specifically the kind linked to an AdobeID? Because it is fast becoming the dominant format for any non-Kindle ebooks. Barnes and Noble quietly switched to ePUB about a month ago (though they are using a more advanced form of ePUB DRM, currently only available to B&N), as did Sony. If you want to borrow an ebook from your local library, it comes as an ePUB. Cool-er, Kobo, txtr and any other branded stores are using ePUB. Only Amazon and eReader do not carry them!

So having ePUBs available on the iPhone is a BIG DEAL, in that it expands an already spreading format to another major platform. Teleread mentioned there may have been a small German-language ePUB reader for the iPhone, but the txtr app is the first mainstream option. And unlike the Barnes and Noble app, which is technically also an ePUB app, txtr lets you upload your own books to the iPhone via txtr.com. If the rumored Apple Tablet really does run iPhone apps then it just vaulted way to the front of the “multipurpose ebook reader devices”, as now almost every ebook you could think of can be read on your iPhone!

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About the Author

Zek
Zek has been a gadget fiend for a long time, going back to their first PDA (a Palm M100). They quickly went from researching what PDA to buy to following tech news closely and keeping up with the latest and greatest stuff. They love writing about ebooks because they combine their two favorite activities; reading anything and everything, and talking about fun new tech toys. What could be better?

1 Comment on "Txtr Brings ePUB to the iPhone"

  1. If the new iPhone has the multi-touch functionality of a magic mouse, runs the 4GB network, has a 5Mp camera, and other goodies, how the heck can I choose between an iTablet and a new iPhone? Aaaauuuuuggggghhhh!

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