Moderator’s note: This is a very positive development for iPhone users despite Stanza’s use of DRM to be able to handle encrypted eReader books. I suspect that Lexcycle, Stanza’s developer, is just like eReader—hardly gung ho on DRM but willing to accommodate publishers. News release follows. What do you think of the purchasing interface within Stanza? – D.R.
Update, 2:47 p.m.: This was a WordPress-scheduled post since I had an 11:30 lunch appointment. I had no idea that Chris Meadows’ scoop was on the way. Thanks to Chris for his hard work. – D.R.
Chatham, NJ – December 3, 2009 – Fictionwise, Inc., the largest independent eBook retailer in North America, and Lexcycle, Inc., the creators of the award-winning electronic book reader Stanza, today announced that over 40,000 eBooks from Fictionwise.com are now available for purchase and download via Stanza, the most popular eBook application for the iPhone and iPod Touch.
In an agreement between the two companies, Lexcycle has licensed Fictionwise’s eReader eBook reading format for integration with the Stanza iPhone application. In addition, Fictionwise will operate the “Stanza by Fictionwise” eBook store, which is accessible directly through the Stanza app, and gives Stanza users access to over 40,000 titles from all major trade publishers.
“We are very excited that our large and growing catalog of electronic books is now available to Stanza users,” said Steve Pendergrast, co-founder of Fictionwise, Inc. “eReader continues to be the only eBook distribution format on the iPhone and iPod touch that is widely accepted by virtually all major publishers. Our goal is to make the eReader format available everywhere.”
The integration of the “Stanza by Fictionwise” eBook store with the Stanza app enables customers to browse and search for eBooks based on title, author, genre, or popularity. Customers can then purchase and wirelessly download eBooks right on their iPhone or iPod touch for immediate reading.
“Just in time for the holidays, Stanza readers are going to be able to find their favorite authors like Stephen King, Mary Higgins Clark, James Patterson, and Nora Roberts,” said Neelan Choksi, COO of Lexcycle. “This relationship with Fictionwise is a big step forward in our ongoing effort to expand the selection of works available to our large and growing user base.”
Availability
Stanza for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch is available today as a free download from the iTunes App Store or from Lexcycle.com. Users can immediately browse and purchase electronic books for Stanza from Fictionwise by visiting the “Stanza by Fictionwise” eBook Store in Stanza’s built-in Online Catalog.
About Lexcycle
Lexcycle is a private company that strives to bring the digital reading revolution to readers around the world. With over 500,000 users in 50 countries, Lexcycle Stanza is the highest rated and the most popular free electronic book reader for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch. To learn more, visit www.Lexcycle.com
About Fictionwise
Fictionwise.com is the largest independent eBook retailer in North America. Fictionwise sells award-winning and high-quality eBooks by top authors in every major eBook format, which can be read on hundreds of different handheld devices as well as personal computers. Established in June 2000, Fictionwise has sold millions of eBooks to hundreds of thousands of loyal customers worldwide. Fictionwise operates not only their flagship storefront, Fictionwise.com, but also eReader.com, eBookwise.com, and storefronts for several independent publishers. “eReader Everywhere” is a trademark of Fictionwise, Inc. For more information, visit www.Fictionwise.com
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With this announcement and the announcement that fictionwise is working on ePub support for ereader, I think it is clear that they are serious about being a major player in the ebook world. Now I hope that some of the dedicated devices also license ereader technology :).
Considering how quickly fictionwise has moved to take advantage of the iPhone and how they are actively trying to support pretty much every platform, one has to wonder why mobipocket hasn’t yet acted to support Macs or iphones (or linux… but that is a much smaller user base).
While Amazon may be maintaining mobipocket for those who won’t buy a Kindle, it seems more and more clear that they are not really interested in promoting it as a platform. Sure its available on most of the dedicated devices, but lets be honest, in terms of sales, the number of devices that support mobipocket is dwarfed by the sales of the Kindle, the Sony PRS machines… and Stanza downloads.
If mobipocket is to remain relevant they need to act, and act quickly.
It’s a great idea, but lousy in the execution. I documented the time it took me to set up an account and actually make a purchase. (13 minutes). I’ll be sticking with buying online via the Fictionwise store where I can use my micropay dollars. I am most disappointed that the Stanza.Fictionwise store is separate from the main Fictionwise store and the account details (including the micropay dollars) are not transferable. You also cannot pay with Paypal which I find to be hugely frustrating because I hate taking out my credit card and entering that information on my phone.
I also think that the eReader is a superior software program with it’s notes, highlighting and dictionary features.
I agree, Jane. One thing I like about my current set-up (eReader plus computer) is that I can buy on my computer and download a backup copy onto my PC. I don’t *want* to have everything tied up inside my iPod Touch. And I have found eReader to be a little quicker to run and more stable than Stanza. I’m glad they are expanding the market and becoming a player as I have great respect for Fictionwise. I just hope they are not going to abandon the eReader app now.
If you read my article, you’d know they’re expanding the eReader app to two new platforms, and updating it to work with ePub files with eReader DRM wrappers, in 2009. 🙂