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ETI to Showcase eBook Interoperability Technologies
 
First Prototype Reading Device Implementation of New Standards to be Shown at IDPF Digital Book ’07

LA JOLLA, CA - May 08, 2007 - The eBook landscape has historically been plagued by a number of incompatible eBook formats, associated eBook reading applications and incompatible devices — negatively effecting publishers, retailers and consumers alike. eBook Technologies, Inc (ETI) today announces that it is the first with a reading device based implementation of new publication format standards designed to enable true eBook interoperability.

A prototype eBook device implementation of the new standards will be available for demonstration by ETI personnel during the Digital Book 2007 Conference held in New York City on May 9th. The reading device being demonstrated at the conference employs a 6" EInk display; the software also supports conventional color VGA and SVGA and larger LCD screens.

“eBook Technologies continues to provide leadership in the all-important area of supporting open standards for the e-book industry,” said Nick Bogaty, IDPF Executive Director. “Their prototype implementation of the new interoperability specifications will accelerate the growth of the digital book and eReading markets and also serve to validate the IDPF’s standards-setting directions.”

Unlike the music industry, which has largely embraced MP3 as a universal format, the eBook space is burdened with numerous incompatible formats. Publishers are hindered by the need to adapt their workflow to produce their content for end-users in multiple formats. End-users are confused by the competing formats, and are challenged by the lack of interoperability as they try to view content on different devices.

“Rallying around this updated set of standards for transport, publication and content rendering, is in the industry's best interests,” said Garth Conboy, ETI co-founder and president. “The good news for content providers is that they now have a set of guidelines that ensure fidelity, accuracy, accessibility, and optimal presentation of electronic content over various Reading Systems.”

The new standards that eBook Technologies is harnessing combine to provide for interoperability of eBook publication, transmission and consumption include:

  • OCF — OEBPS Container Format which defines the wrapper for encapsulating and transporting the multiple elements that constitute an eBook in a single file
  • OPS — Open Publication Structure which describes how eBook content should be represented such that it can be optimally rendered regardless of target Reading System. It also includes a new publication packaging format (OPF) which describes the organization of the components and metadata that make up an eBook publication
“With support for the universal eBook publication standards we have extended our portfolio of publication and device technologies available for license,” said John Rivlin, ETI co-founder and CEO. “We are the source for companies looking to license reading device designs, firmware, content creation tools, content distribution and management technology, electronic bookstore and eCommerce implementations.”

About eBook Technologies. Inc.

ETI is driving the eBook industry forward by designing, developing, and promoting advanced electronic content distribution and reading technology. ETI technology includes reading devices, content creation tools, content distribution and management technology, electronic bookstore and eCommerce implementations. Garth Conboy, president and founder of eBook Technologies, serves on the IDPF Board of Directors.

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