ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the way digital products have evolved with the development of standard ebook formats and e-readers, with focus on Amazon, including KDP. It explores the benefits and flexibility of EPUB. It also examines the development of smartphones and tablets as places for e-reading but points to the challenges publishers face in working with companies that have proprietary systems. It has a look at mobile-first environments, such as China where mobile technologies have developed sophisticated ecosystems for content that combine books and reader connectivity. As publishers look into which formats there is an exploration of the pros and cons of different formats for effective distribution and monetising, including a look at reflowable and fixed layout EPUB as well as apps and the rise of audio. A case study explores open-source options and the chapter concludes with a further look at DRM.
