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Adobe Digital Editions and iPad

K

ks-man

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Sep 25, 2007
742
15
Is it likely that in the future we will be able to read ADE DRMd Epub books on the iPad? I imagine that it would work if either the iPad supported ADE or if Adobe made an ADE app for the iPad.

To the first, does ADE use flash (or something similar) which would probably mean it will never be supported? And to the second, would Apple allow Adobe to release an app?

I just got my wife a Nook and reading library books through OverDrive and ADE is fantastic and it is a shame that I can't do the same on the iPad.
 
It would be great if there was an Overdrive app for the iPad. Unfortunately there isn't and also there isn't a legal way to remove the Adobe Digital editions DRM from ePubs.
 
Glad to hear it is in-the-works, but somehow I have the feeling that 6-12 months from now we won't be any closer to seeing this app on the App Store...

----Edited----

Maybe I'm being a little too pessimistic. This blog seems to be updated pretty regularly so hopefully we'll see something submitted soon.
 
OverDrive is a small company, so I wouldn't expect an app for at least a few more months. But getting a unified app (supporting both audiobooks and ebooks) for Android, iPhone, iPad, etc. should be a pretty high priority for them, in my opinion. Library budgets are being slashed across the USA, and I'm sure OverDrive wants to make their products as compelling as possible so libraries will keep subscribing to their service (and even increase their subscriptions as their budgets permit). They need to get as many people as possible using their services, so library patrons view their service as indispensable.
 
You CAN Legally Read ADE DRM'd Books On iPad

ks-man said:
Is it likely that in the future we will be able to read ADE DRMd Epub books on the iPad? I imagine that it would work if either the iPad supported ADE or if Adobe made an ADE app for the iPad.

To the first, does ADE use flash (or something similar) which would probably mean it will never be supported? And to the second, would Apple allow Adobe to release an app?

I just got my wife a Nook and reading library books through OverDrive and ADE is fantastic and it is a shame that I can't do the same on the iPad.
Click to expand...

You CAN read Adobe Digital Edition DRM'd ebooks on the iPad WITHOUT stripping the DRM. All you have to do is go to txtr.com and download it to your computer. Then go to iTunes and get the txtr app for your ipad. It's an iPhone app but it works fine on the iPad as long as you use the 2X button. I have 82 Sony eBooks that are ADE DRM'd. I thought I wouldn't get them on my iPad. I got them all on my iPad with no problem using the txtr app. It is not a real flashy app like iBooks or B&N but it works fine and it's all legal. I hope this helps.
 
ALVINF said:
You CAN read Adobe Digital Edition DRM'd ebooks on the iPad WITHOUT stripping the DRM. All you have to do is go to txtr.com and download it to your computer. Then go to iTunes and get the txtr app for your ipad. It's an iPhone app but it works fine on the iPad as long as you use the 2X button. I have 82 Sony eBooks that are ADE DRM'd. I thought I wouldn't get them on my iPad. I got them all on my iPad with no problem using the txtr app. It is not a real flashy app like iBooks or B&N but it works fine and it's all legal. I hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Okay, I just followed these steps. I downloaded a book from my library via Adobe Digital Editions, it created an EPUB, which I uploaded to txtr.com. Then I went to my iPhone, opened txtr there... and I'm not able to open the file. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks.
 
ALVINF said:
You CAN read Adobe Digital Edition DRM'd ebooks on the iPad WITHOUT stripping the DRM. All you have to do is go to txtr.com and download it to your computer. Then go to iTunes and get the txtr app for your ipad. It's an iPhone app but it works fine on the iPad as long as you use the 2X button. I have 82 Sony eBooks that are ADE DRM'd. I thought I wouldn't get them on my iPad. I got them all on my iPad with no problem using the txtr app. It is not a real flashy app like iBooks or B&N but it works fine and it's all legal. I hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Thank you. I just purchased a technical book from Borders which was PDF only. I wanted to get it on the iPad so I can read the book while doing the development on the Mac. While I wish I could use iBooks, at least I have txtr. I realize Flash is garbage but Adobe should have an iPad reader or Apple should support Adobe's DRM system.
 
I've just been stripping the DRM and using iBooks or Goodreader. I don't lose any sleep over it. Some of the books I've paid for, and I delete the ones from the library after reading.
 
Type121 said:
I've just been stripping the DRM and using iBooks or Goodreader. I don't lose any sleep over it. Some of the books I've paid for, and I delete the ones from the library after reading.
Click to expand...

I'm sticking with the current method until Adobe/Apple work something out.
 
2 things

I tried txtr and managed to figure out how to upload my books to the site, and then download them into the iphone. I tried a couple of DRM library books....each gave me a message saying it could not read the format. I also tried a non DRM book that I own. It only displayed the cover, and none of the text. I checked it in Adobe Digital Editions, and it was a full 400 pages there.

I have searched for a way to strip the DRM and I haven't been successful.

I would appreciate any help either in getting txtr to work, or in stripping the DRM so I can put my library books on my iphone. It's the only thing stopping me from getting an ipad. If I can get around this issue, I will be going out to get one to go along with my Sony ereader.
 
Has there been any progress or news on how to read ADE DRM files on the iPad? I tried the txtr route, but it wouldn't even let me upload the acsm file up to txtr.com. Our local library has started offering Overdrive books but the only way I have to read them right now is sitting at our kitchen counter reading them on our Mac Mini. I sure wish I could read them on my iPad and/or iPhone. Such a waste not being able to do this. I guess it's too much to ask for these technology companies to play nice with each other :rolleyes:.

PS - You would think since one of the allowed readers is the B&N Nook, you could at least read them using the B&N eReader app.
 
Type 21

How do you remove the DRM? I can't get txtr to work at all. I've entered my Adobe ID but all I get is error messages when I ry to read the book. It works fine in Digital Editions.
 
eBooks from library work on iPad, iPhone

If your library has eBooks from NetLibrary (EBSCO Publishing), they work beautifully on the iPad and iPhone using the txtr app mentioned in an earlier post. I just tested both, and everything worked with no problem. Library eBooks from Overdrive did not work, I think because of the way Overdrive runs its server (they use ADEPT, I believe, rather than standard ACS4).
 
explain combination TXTR Netlibrary please

wasshu said:
If your library has eBooks from NetLibrary (EBSCO Publishing), they work beautifully on the iPad and iPhone using the txtr app mentioned in an earlier post. I just tested both, and everything worked with no problem. Library eBooks from Overdrive did not work, I think because of the way Overdrive runs its server (they use ADEPT, I believe, rather than standard ACS4).
Click to expand...
@wasshu: I have a Netlibrary account and an iPad. If I install the TXTR app, what else do I need to do.
I thought TXTR was an app for EPUB and the Netlibrary protected eBooks are in PDF format. Please explain
 
I tried Blue Fire two weeks ago with a library book from Overdrive and it couldn't read it. Supposedly they'll have an update "soon" that might possibly allow those library books to be read.

Meanwhile, I check the book out from the library legally, download it, De-DRM it, read it on the iPad, and delete it before its due date just like I would on my Sony Reader (which can read library books). Not exactly the way it should be, but since I can't read it on my device of choice the right way, I made it work.

It would be great not to have all those extra steps. I wouldn't trust Overdrive to come out with iOS software very soon -- they can't really even support the Mac very well with all of their WMA audiobooks.
 
wolfpackfan said:
Does it work with Overdrive books though?
Click to expand...

Looking at the reviews on the App Store, most people giving them 2 star reviews are complaining that it doesn't do Overdrive at all, so no public library books yet.

Would be nice to see someone finally implement this. I don't think Overdrive has the chops to do it themselves.
 
Bluefire is working now with epub drm from Overdrive libraries. I have about 4 library ebooks checked out from Overdrive libraries and on my Nook. I found out today about the updated Bluefire app and was able to load those same ebooks on to the iPad via Bluefire, as well as another one I checked out today from a library to test on the iPad. All loaded without a problem and can be read on the iPad.

http://www.bluefirereader.com/help/libraryBooks.html
 
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Well I tried again this morning and finally got it to work. First I had to make sure both Bluefire and Adobe Digital Editions on my Mac were authorized with an Adobe account. Then you must open the book up on your Mac which downloads the entire book. Finally you have to install the book using the complete epub file using iTunes. This is all described on the Bluefire website, which I failed to read completely the first time. Anyway, I'm now able to read Overdrive books from my Library on my iPad.
 
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