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.
Well this is a step in the right direction!
It seems that Sony and library eBook provider Overdrive have come to an accord that will certainly benefit consumers. While users won’t be able to download and access a library’s eHoldings with the device, users will be directed to their libraries as a source of material AND the device is sure to play nice with Overdrive as well.
I have to admit that I despaired of ever seeing a big company acknowledge Libraries as a legitimate market. This deal benefits everyone. Sony gets good PR and librarian’s on their side (ironic given their past relations with the profession). Libraries get a viable means to participate in an eBook Reader market currently dominated by Amazon’s (locked down, Library unfriendly) Kindle. Overdrive gets the potential expansion of their user-base and likely an increase in title sales as libraries increase their purchases of Overdrive eBooks to meet increased demand for services.
Users will hopefully get more choice and therefore look to gain the most. Choice forces all participants in the market work harder to get consumer dollars. The best possible outcome for this deal will be for this sort of support for library customers to become standard. Ultimately, I’d love for library patrons to be able to access their library’s collections wirelessly with the 3G capabilities of some of these devices. Hopefully, if Sony sees benefit from this new deal, that will come in time.
Well, I’m Impressed… (not that you should care)
Prior posts might leave you with the impression that I’m a bit of a pessimist when it comes to ebooks and eBook Readers, especially Amazon’s Kindle. I’m still a pessimist about Kindle and dedicated readers, but I have to tell you I’m coming around on eBooks.
I never doubted that eBooks would “take over” someday, as there are too many plusses to the technology. What I really objected to was the speed with which everyone though it would happen. The Kindle app has changed my mind.
I’ve had it on my iPod Touch for several months now, but I didn’t have anything to read on it, or any desire to acquire anything. Recently I left work without a book I wanted to finish. I had a largely unscheduled evening ahead of me and nothing to read! Being the type of guy I am, I decided to turn a problem into an opportunity. I went on Amazon’s site and bought a Kindle copy and started reading.
Let me start with the purchasing process. Its too easy, and I’m only partially kidding. I found the book, and clicked “buy with one click” and it was mine. Wow! All I had to do then was fire up the Kindle App and synch it with my Kindle account! My book came to me over my wifi connection almost instantly, no pluging in required. Wow again.
The recent 1.1 upgrade to the Kindle App is extraordinary. It uses the motion sensing capabilities of the iPhone\iPod touch to allow a landscape presentation and lets you lock in in your prefered orientation. This is huge for those among the uninitiated, for it lets you keep the print big enough to read without having to have only 3 words per line. One can therefore actually follow the book you’re reading as you can string coherent thoughts together! You advance the pages with a tap on the right side of the screen, and flip back with a tap on the left. It seems Amazon learned a few tricks from LexCycle when they bought them.
This app is whats going to sell eBooks for Amazon long term, not their overpriced one trick pony. When I think of what will be possible when the rumored large-form iPod/iPhone/Apple Tablet comes out…
This does leave me with a rather galling question for librarians. Why don’t we have a method of distributing digital material that is this easy to use? My library offers a collection of Overdrive eBooks, eFlicks, eAudiobooks, etc. Why can’t overdrive create an app(s) for the numerous portable devices out there to seamlessly deliver our material to where people want it? There are no technological limitations to this. Apple wouldn’t be stupid enough to deny such an app admittance to the App Store (I don’t think).
This would certianly allieveate some of the clunkiness assoicated with using Overdrive materials on iPods. One could browse ones “checked out” items and start it up immediately! This might also help with compatibility issues, who really knows what’s possible until someone does it! I might actually use my library’s digital collection if it was as easy as my Amazon experience!
Here’s hoping someone gets it togather and gets this done!
PS. Owners of the iPod Touch and iPhone need not spend money to try out their Kindle Apps. Amazon has several (good) titles available for FREE. I’m enjoying Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson at the moment. Also available (and highly recommended) is His Majesty’s Dragon by Naomi Novik (Anne McCaffery meets Patrick O’Brien, what could be better?).
Good News! An Overdrive Update!!
Overdrive announced several months ago their intent to start releasing material in MP3 format to allow iPod users to use their digital audiobooks and music. They have now delivered on that promise. Checking the MOLDI site (mentioned in a previous post), I saw a big announcement of their inclusion. I have to say I’m pleased as punch, both as a iPod owner and a Librarian. This sould go a long way toward making this service more useful for our customers and I couldn’t be happier.
This service is still in the larval stage of course. There are currently only 177 titles available in MP3, only 4.4% of the 3,993 titles available in WMA format. However, this will only increase. It also looks (at least at first glance) that a good job has been done in selecting interesting titles for the “first run”.
I look forward to having the chance to take advantage of this new service.
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