Publishers today are faced with a wide range of choices when moving from print to digital delivery. Should an eBook (or enhanced eBook) be produced or would an app provide a better user experience? This discussion will touch on the options, the challenges and the opportunities of each of these options.

1. eBook or App? How to Decide Eric Freese @efreese May 3, 2011 1

3. Enhanced eBooks eBooks that go beyond a digital snapshot of a printed book Data files (based on a standard) that can be viewed/processed by a variety of platforms/devices Base data files (non-DRM) are interoperable between devices that support the same standard Dependent on access being provided by target platform 4

4. Apps Programs written to run on a specific platform e.g. the Kindle for iPad and Kindle for Android are different programs May be based on published materials Interoperability cannot be guaranteed App written for iPhone will run on iPad, but there are iPad apps that won’t run on iPhone Generally easier access to functionality provided by target platform 5

5. Enhanced eBooks vs. apps Enhanced eBooks Easier to develop Generally less expensive Some degree of interoperability Functionality dependent on platform and standards Apps Requires custom development expertise Access to full functionality of platform Perceived to be more feature-rich 6

6. Enhanced eBook concepts Based on eBook functionality, maintain all the good things about eBooks (reflow, portability, etc.) The EPUB standard supports enhanced eBooks now Many perceived limitations come from eReader implementations, not the standard EPUB3 will provide greater support Graceful degradation Support new capabilities without abandoning the installed base 7

7. Sample eBook enhancements Collapsible Table of Contents Hidden searchable text Internal linking (footnotes/annotations/cross references/indexes) External linking (geolocation/directions/associated websites) Audio Video Interactivity 8

8. Collapsible table of contents Allows easier navigation of large content Can be set up in EPUB file Display controlled by device/software 9

9. Hidden searchable text Allows users to search on terms that might not occur in the content 10

10. Bidirectional linking 11

11. Inline footnotes/annotations Allows extra data to be shown inline Reduces back page confusion Can result in cluttered display 12

12. Popup footnotes Reduces clutter and confusion Uses Javascript in background Works on eReaders built on browser interface 13

13. External linking 14 Opens browser in separate window – iBooks prompts user before leaving

14. Audio 15 HREF method opens new app window HTML5 Audio tag works within reader app

15. Video 16

16. Interactivity 17

17. Varied results 18

18. Enhancement considerations Enhancements should be dictated by the content, not vice versa eBooks, enhanced eBooks and apps should receive the same level of planning as print materials Considergraceful degradation Allows files to work on widest range of devices possible by building in fallbacks Keep finished file sizes in mind Test on all target devices 19

19. Fixed format pages Provides functionality to preserve page layout Based on XHTML – not PDF Suggested application: children’s books, cookbooks, art (coffee table) books Only supported by iBooks 20

20. Late breaking news: EPUB3 HTML5/CSS3 Audio/Video Interactivity Scripting International 21

21. Book-based apps 22

22. Using apps to enhance books 23

23. App development considerations No ‘apps for the sake of apps’ Separate content from programming as much as possible to capitalize on portability Use open standards whenever possible 24

24. Questions? 25