OverDrive Retail and Library Channel Adds 10,000 Popular eBook Titles for Smartphones and all PDA Platforms

 

(CLEVELAND, OHIO & PARIS, FRANCE – November 11, 2003) – OverDrive, Inc., the leading vendor of eBooks to retailers and libraries, today announced broad support for Mobipocket, a popular software format that allows users to download and read eBooks on popular smartphones, all PDA systems, and personal computers.  Over 10,000 commercial titles in Mobipocket format from 150 leading publishers such as Random House, McGraw-Hill, Time Warner, Oxford University Press and others will be available through OverDrive’s Content Reserve for resale to global retailers and libraries.

Based in France, Mobipocket (www.mobipocket.com) is the only company in the world whose free eBook reader provides instant access to and onscreen reading of thousands of eBooks using mobile phones that combine organizer functions, as well any PDA or PC device.  It is one of the fastest-growing eBook formats with over 1 million downloads since March 2000.   Industry analysts report that Smartphone sales have grown over 400% this year and are expected to be adopted by over 50 million users in the next three years.

Steve Potash, CEO of OverDrive said, “We’re excited to be bringing the most portable eBook format available today to our publishers, retailers, mobile users and library patrons.  Adding to the tremendous success and adoption of Microsoft® Reader, and Adobe® Reader, Mobipocket® Reader adds excellent options for clear on-screen reading of reference and popular fiction on a growing list of mobile phone and PDA products,” he added.

Mobipocket-formatted eBooks can be read on 6 different mobile platforms — Microsoft Smartphone 2002 (Orange SPV phones, Motorola and Samsung), SymbianOS smartphones (i.e. Ericsson, Nokia), PalmOS (i.e. Palm Inc, Sony Clie, Handspring), Pocket PC (i.e. Compaq, HP, Casio, Acer, Toshiba, Dell), Tablet PC, Franklin eBookman and personal computers.

Mobipocket Reader includes features such as customizable display, built-in full-text search, superior lookup and dictionary features, excellent foreign language support, and wireless internet connectivity.

Thierry Brethes, CEO of Mobipocket said, “As the leading vendor of eBooks, OverDrive is an important distributor in the US and abroad for retail, consumer and library markets.  We are excited to be working with them to evangelize the Mobipocket format to OverDrive’s publisher suppliers, as well as its global network of retailers and libraries.”

 

About OverDrive, Inc.

OverDrive (www.overdrive.com) provides digital media solutions for leading retailers, publishers and libraries in the US and abroad including HarperCollins Publishers, Random House, McGraw-Hill, WHSmith and others. OverDrive is a strategic partner to Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Adobe Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADBE). The company is a Gold Sponsor of the Open eBook Forum. OverDrive was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio.

 

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