That leads me to the other fault I see with the iPad. Apple has been quick to point out how good the iPad is as an e-book reader, and from what I’ve seen it is solid enough. It’s also good to see that Apple has embraced the ePUB format for iPad content, as that is becoming the standard in the e-book world. The problem is with the DRM that Apple will no doubt use for e-book content sold through the iBookstore. Just because that content is in ePUB format, doesn’t mean that it can be used on other reader devices. Adobe is quick to point out that iPad content will not work on any other devices:
“It looks like Apple is continuing to impose restrictions on their devices that limit both content publishers and consumers. Unlike many other ebook readers using the ePub file format, consumers will not be able to access ePub content with Apple’s DRM technology on devices made by other manufacturers.”
Esto, en mi pueblo, es pasar de la sartén al fuego. Amazon es claro al respecto: su formato, comprado y adaptado desde mobipocket, con su esquema DRM (que, además, parece que ahora va a ser opcional). Pero insistir en la presentación que se va a usar ePub y luego enterarte de que el DRM que le ponen encima lo hacen incompatible con otros ereaders me parece sucio. Lo que se va a recordar es el formato abierto, no sé si para atar más fácilmente al producto.
Lo bueno es que la realidad y los usuarios le pueden demostrar a Apple que la interoperabilidad es el camino. Y después de todo, ya han dado el paso de prescindir del DRM en la iStore, así que...
Edito: y otro detalle interesante, también obtenido de jkontherun:
Those familiar with the e-book world know that it is a veritable hornet’s nest getting agreements with publishers for content. Separate agreements often have to be forged with each country to allow sales in that locale. Apple has already discovered this dicey situation, as it has become clear that the iBookstore will only be open to U.S. customers initially. The iPads sold outside of the U.S. will not even have the iBooks reader on the device. Surely Apple is working on deals to allow book sales outside the U.S., but it is not clear how long that process may take.
O sea, amigos, que los compradores del iPad españoles parece que van a tener que esperar antes de poder comprar ePubs que, además, no podrán leer en otros dispositivos. Alentador si termina siendo así.
