Upcoming XMDF digital book standard by Sharp
In a significant move, Japanese electronics giant Sharp has launched its new e-Book format, Next Gen XMDF, and announced plans to enter the US market with Verizon as its key partner.
The Next Gen XMDF format is designed to revolutionise the e-book reading experience, allowing users to access their digital books on a variety of gadgets, including smartphones, tablet devices, TVs, Set Top Boxes, and Gaming devices. This versatility sets it apart from traditional e-book formats.
The Next Gen XMDF supports a wide range of e-books, from simple text to complex ones with video or audio, style effects, and rich graphics. This integration of text, video, audio, and an adjustable user interface aims to provide a more immersive reading experience.
However, there is a potential concern that users may not have the means to remove intrusive video or audio clips within Next Gen XMDF e-books, which could be annoying for some readers.
Sharp's XMDF format has been particularly successful in Japan, and with over a million terminals using the format since its inception in 2009, the transition to the Next Gen version is expected to be seamless and hassle-free due to its existing use on smartphones, PCs, and TVs.
Verizon is expected to play a significant role in the distribution of Sharp's upcoming e-readers in the US. The exact sales start date for the new Sharp e-readers in the USA is not specified, but they are expected to be available through Verizon.
This move by Sharp is part of its strategy to make inroads into the US market. The company is aiming to expand its e-reader presence to include the US market, and the upcoming range of Sharp e-readers are specifically designed for the US market.
This collaboration between Sharp and Verizon is noteworthy as it marks Sharp's first major push into the US e-reader market. With Verizon as the official carrier, the new e-readers are set to offer an innovative reading experience to US consumers.
