Buyer's Guide: The Nuts & Bolts of Apps & Ebooks
Here we will specifically explore ebooks and apps, but browser-based ebooks are another platform publishers may want to consider. O'Reilly's Safari Books Online is one example of this.
Ebook vs. App
While ebooks and apps can be very similar, they differ in how they are produced and in their overall capabilities. Ebooks, often built on a standard specification such as EPUB, allow for a large degree of automation in production and greater device compatibility. And though ebooks are more scalable than apps, there are greater limitations on the variety of user experiences they can deliver and publishers are forced to conform to the capabilities of the given software platform.
Ellen Harvey is a freelance writer and editor who covers the latest technologies and strategies reshaping the publishing landscape. She previously served as the Senior Editor at Publishing Executive and Book Business.