1. INTEROPERABILITY OF THE ENHANCED BOOKS
The enhanced book’s production is growing but still remains marginal in 2013. One of the reasons why
its developpement isn’t optimal is bound to the interoperability issue. Some formats are open and some
people would like to see them becoming standards, but others are proprietary formats and are much more
developped. Let’s take a look !
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KF8 by Amazon is derived from
ePub 2 and can only be read by
Amazon products. It uses HTML 5
support, CSS3 support. Lots of
possibilities, but not as developped
as Apple format.
Fixed layout ePub and iBooks by
Apple is derived from ePub 2 and
can only be read by Apple products.
This is the most developped format
regarding the enhanced books.
Created by the Open eBook Forum used as a
basis to create other formats as LIT for Microsoft
Reader or PRC for Mobipocket Reader.
Created by IDPF. ePUB means «electronic
publication». It can be adapted to all supports.
• ePub 2 : DAISY consortium and IDPF. File
extension of an XML format for digital books and
publications.
• ePub 3 : Most developed interoperable format.
The work of IDPF ePub Working Group is
accessible in open source. Use HTML 5 for a
large possibility of extensions.
IS THE INTEROPERABILITY POSSIBLE ?
For us the interoperability is conceivable, but is subject to conditions.
The following statements are the way we imagine the future of the interoperability for the enhanced book
MAJOR OPEN STANDARD FORMATS MAJOR PROPRIETARY FORMATS
OEB 1999
ePUB2 2010
ePUB3 2011 KF8 2012
Fixed Layout
The readium foundation created in 2013 by IDPF
is developing technology to accelerate adoption of
EPUB 3. Its main members are Google, Hachette
Livre, Kobo, IBM, Sony Corporation, Adobe...
Start-up & publishers want their enhanced books
to be accessible to the largest possible number.
For them interoperability would create a virtuous
circle : better sales, more productivity, more
enhanced books available.
The Book Industry Study Book is a leading book
trade association for standardized best practices,
they support the ePub 3.
The European and International Booksellers
Federation also supports the ePub3 for the
safety of their working area.
STANDARDIZATION :
WHO AND WHY ?
Apple is an american multinational based on
production and commercialisation of electronic
products. Its power is largely based on research
and development. It develops a technology
always more evolved and ahead of the market.
Ipad is the electronic medium of Apple.
Amazon is a digital american librarian which
became the world leader of the digital book
industry. It favors the expension of its format
so that this one is the most used. Kindle is the
electronic medium of Amazon.
In fact, proprietary formats are more evolved.
The lobbying of the digital giant societies creates
competition and revitalizes the market
of enhanced books.
PROPRIETARY : WHO AND WHY ?
BIBLIOGRAPHY
EXAMPLE
OF EPUB3
The solution for an effective establishment of
the enhanced books’ interoperability :
• The industrialisation of the several medias to
reduce the developpement cost.
• Means a less developped technology (ePub
3 for example) but accessible to the largest
possible number.
YES
What about the enhanced books with high
technology ?
• They will remain « luxury products »
such as beautiful old books.
• They will be rare and expensive but
technologically advanced.
NO