Proof That I’m a Genius…
Back in September, I shared a theory of mine based on a job posting on the Overdrive Media corporate page. Basically I postulated that an Overdrive App for iPhone was coming that would allow the user to order and download electronic titles from their library. I have new evidence that I’m right. Behold!! Overdrive Media Console for Windows Mobile! Could a version for the worlds most popular phone be far behind (yes, but its coming thats my point!)
Oh boy!!!
It’s interesting what you learn when you are in the habit of poking around in the job postings companies put on their websites. I was touring around Overdrive’s corporate site and decided they might be looking for a librarian (they serve a lot of libraries after all). I found nothing I was qualified for, but I did find this:
Application Developer – Apple Mac OS X/iPhone OS
The Developer’s responsibilities include developing and supporting Apple Cocoa and Cocoa Touch applications. Development responsabilities will require creating engaging multimedia Mac and iPhone programs that use web-connected technologies.
Responsibilities:
- Coordinating and participating in the implementation, testing, and supportof Mac and iPhone-based applications using Objective-C, Cocoa/Cocoa Touch, XCode 3, and the iPhone SDK.
- Programming, developing, and producing connected iPhone applications that communicate through web services to a host data source
- Maintenance of the code-base using Subversion source control database. Support to product management and business development teams for various projects
- Explicit and thorough documentation of all source code and resources, both in project documentation and in-code comments
- Assist in testing all applications against software and hardware versions. Provide timely turnaround and documentation of bug fixes during test cycle.
- Other duties as assigned
Desired Experience:
- Degree in Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, or equivalent experience
- Experience with Apple OS X 10.5, XCode 3.1, and Subversion.
- Knowledge of Objective-C 2, Cocoa/Cocoa Touch Framework, SQLite3, XML
- Experience consuming XML-based web services
- Knowledge of REST, SOAP and other web service technologies
- Experience developing in a mobile platform environment, such as optimization techniques and resource conservation.
- Knowledge of Subversion a plus
- Having an existing application available in the Apple App Store a definite plus
- Microsoft .NET and C# experience a plus
Desired Skills:
- Skilled in HTML, JavaScript, DHTML, and XML
Desired Qualities:
- Knowledge of SQL and general database organization/implementation
- Ability to prioritize multiple tasks based on project, urgency, etc
- Ability to coordinate tasks across multiple sites per project.
Please email your resume and cover letter to jobs@overdrive.com.
It would appear that Overdrive is interested in creating an iPhone/iPod Touch app. I’m certainly interested in Overdrive making an iPhone/iPod Touch app. If you are a Mac savvy developer interested in making my day, please apply for this job and work as quickly as humanly possible to make this happen. K’Thanks!
Seriously, this is pretty big. When I think of how handy and relatively seamless the Kindle App and Stanza are, I get downright bubbly at the prospect of an iPhone app. Can you say wireless downloads? I just hope my prognosticating here isn’t too off base. At the very least this news along with recent news of Sony’s recent deal with Overdrive, gives me more reason than ever to have hope for the Library’s future as a digital content distributor.
Hey, didn’t I just say that?
A great article from the Chronicle of Higher Education popped up in Google Reader today (thanks LISNews). The Author read the same Dickens book 4 ways: paperback, audiobook, iPhone, and Kindle.
This article is delightfully written and thoughtful. What’s more, she agrees with me about Kindle (agreeing with me is always a direct path to my good opinion, I’m only human).
Read and Enjoy!
Hedging our bets are we? Amazon releases Kindle App…
At the same time it launches Kindle 2, Amazon is also coming out with a Kindle App for iPhone/iPod Touch. Perhaps this can be chalked up to them trying to reach the growing “installed base” of iPhone/Touch users and convert them to Kindle fans with the some of the nice connective features (the “page your on” in a given book is synchronized between your iPod/Phone and the Kindle, creepy…).
I think they’re hedging their bets…
The original Kindle, while generally well thought of, had its share of problems. The new Kindle 2 solves many of those but some of them remain:
- The display is still color-free
- The DRM is still insanely restrictive (as DRM tends to be)
- It still costs $359.00.
I know that the iPod/iPhone is not exactly an ideal reading tool. The introduction of the App won’t stop anyone inclined to buy a Kindle from buying one.
I can’t help but feel that Amazon wants to ensure that if the Kindle hardware doesn’t fly, that they will still have their foot in the door with the App. If rumors of a “big iPod Touch” are true, I can’t help but feel that Amazon will be happy they took this particular step.
I hope I don’t come off as a Kindle hater. I think the Kindle is actually good for reading and I wish it well. I just have trouble understanding the business sense here. Why market a product for $360 that does only one thing exceptionally well in a day and age when the multiuse device is King? It might make sense for the “big readers” out there, but certainly not for everyone…
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